By NELSON MORAIS

NPT Staff Writer

NEWPORT-The Newport Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a resolution on Tuesday at a called emergency meeting so that the city will continue to be able to spend, and collect, funds during the new fiscal year.

The 2009-2010 fiscal year began Wednesday, July 1.

It took the board only about one minute to approve the continuing budget resolution that allows the city to continue funding its operations at the same level of funding that was in effect during the past fiscal year.

A new budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year has yet to be passed.  It requires two readings.

Without approval of Tuesday's resolution, the city would have been unable to spend money beginning Wednesday.

The last fiscal year's budget was close to $8,410,000.

Scott Collins, the City Administrator, said at the called meeting, "This is simply a formality that allows the City (of Newport) to continue to receive and spend money."