NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) — This past winter, powerful storms swept through Newport, leaving significant damage along the Easton's Beach boardwalk. City manager Colin Kennedy said these climate change-fueled storms are causing problems across the city. "The constant wave actions on our bulkheads and our beach and our seawalls is undeniable," Kennedy said. "To say that we are in a position where we feel like we have to act urgently, it would be an understatement." On Nov. 5, voters in Newport will decide on Question 6. The $98.5 million bond includes projects like adding sand to Easton's Beach to combat erosion and protecting the source of the city's drinking water, which is across the street from the beach. "Probably at least half of our drinking water supply is there," Kennedy said. RI beaches are eroding faster, putting Newport drinking water at risk But former City Councilor Kate Leonard does not like that voters only get one bond question for several projects. "The city has taken all these wants or wishes and it on this one mega bond," Leonard said. The bond would also provide updates to the North End of the city, to prevent stormwater from getting through, and stabilizing Perrotti Park, which is at risk of developing sinkholes. Yet Leonard is concerned that this year's bond vote will be a repeat of 2020. At the time, voters approved a $95 million bond to replace Rogers High School. But since then, the budget has continued to escalate due to rising construction costs, according to city leaders. "We've got to do really what's necessary and I think we learned our lesson with the Rogers High School bond," Leonard added. ‘They basically sliced and diced the mega bond’: North Kingstown votes on schools, public safety HQ If Question 6 passes, Kennedy said the average homeowner would pay an additional $346 a year. Yet he said the average cost of a home in Newport is $1.19 million, and homeowners with a house valued at $600,000 would be expected to pay half that. Kennedy said some of the projects, like work at Perrotti Park, would be offset by cruise ship fees. He said the city would work to get grants to offset the costs of the bond. But he also warned the costs of climate change could go up if voters don't invest now. "We need to spend over the course of up to 30 years so that we don't put this intense, acute, sudden burden on our tax base and our taxpayers," he explained. But Leonard isn't buying that. "What happens to the people who want to live here?" she asked. "We're denying them that by always saying we have to do this. Hurry up." Kate Wilkinson ([email protected]) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW