Newport council appoints Colin Kennedy as city manager after debate over $225,000 salary

The Newport City Council voted on April 24 to approve the employment agreement for Colin Kennedy and appointed him city manager after an extended public discussion over his lack of municipal experience and the proposed $225,000 salary.

Councilors debated both the candidate’s qualifications and the compensation level before voting. One councilor argued that the council was “on the verge of hiring a candidate with absolutely no municipal experience whatsoever,” and contrasted that choice with Laura Citroen’s long record as the city’s finance director and municipal leader. The same speaker called the $225,000 salary “higher than any other city manager in the state,” and questioned whether it complied with the charter’s expectations for executive qualifications.

Supporters of the hire and of the $225,000 figure said the amount reflected market rates for a CEO-level municipal chief in a high-cost community. The chair and other proponents noted recruitment realities and housing costs, citing that “Rhode Island Housing reported that the income needed in order to afford a home in Newport was $231,000,” and argued that pay should allow a manager to live in the city.

Councillor David Carlin moved to amend the employment agreement, striking the $225,000 salary and replacing it with $189,000 per year, citing comparability to the prior manager’s pay and budget pressures including a pending $98,500,000 bond and other needs. After discussion and a voice vote, the amendment failed; the chair then called the final vote on the original motion and announced, “Colin Kennedy will be our next city manager.”

Council members who opposed the appointment said they would nevertheless help the new manager succeed. Supporters said the recruitment process was lengthy and deliberative: the council received 25 applicants, a steering committee narrowed candidates in multiple stages, finalists had multi‑hour interviews, and professional reviewers participated in vetting.

The council did not record individual roll-call votes in the transcript for the final appointment in the segments provided; the chair declared the motion carried. Following the appointment, the council adjourned.

What happens next: The employment agreement was approved and the appointment carried. The council noted it retains oversight authority and can act if the manager does not meet expectations.