The Newport Board of Commissioners on Nov. 17 approved a slate of personnel orders, including promotions within the city’s fire/EMS ranks and new appointments to advisory and regional boards.

Chief Flussell introduced Commissioner's Order No. 78 promoting Christopher Schack to engineer medic in the EMS department, effective Oct. 29, 2025, and said Schack, who has served in an acting engineer role for more than two years, 'did exceptionally well' on the promotional exam. The board moved, seconded and approved the order by roll call.

Commissioner's Order No. 79 promoted Albert Hopple (also referred to in remarks by his nickname, 'Chuck') to engineer medic in the fire/EMS department, effective Nov. 2, 2025. Chief Flussell noted Hopple 'received his official baptism by fire today' after responding to a structure fire earlier in the day and that Hopple placed near the top on the promotional exam. The board approved the promotion by roll call; Hopple’s son joined the dais for the recognition.

The council also ratified the mayor’s appointment of Garrett Reinhart to the City of Newport Tree Board under Commissioner's Order No. 80. The presenting commissioner said Reinhart works at USI Insurance and has served on nonprofit boards in the Cincinnati area; the board approved the appointment by roll call.

Under Commissioner's Orders Nos. 81 and 82, the board named Vice Mayor Julie Smith Morrow as the city’s representative to the Ohio‑Kentucky‑Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) and Mayor Thomas L. Coodley Jr. as the alternate. The presenting commissioner noted that the city is required to have both a representative and an alternate on OKI. During the roll call on Order No. 82 the mayor announced a recusal; the remaining members approved the appointment.

Votes at a glance: Commissioner's Orders 78–82 were moved, seconded and carried by roll calls recorded in the meeting. On Order No. 82 the mayor recused himself; other members voted to approve.

Why it matters: Promotions within the fire/EMS ranks affect line staffing and supervisory responsibilities in public safety operations. Tree‑board membership and OKI representation shape local input on urban canopy policy and regional transportation planning.

The meeting record shows motions, seconding and roll‑call votes for each order; minutes were approved later in the meeting and the assembly adjourned after departmental reports and announcements.