ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET SESSION

 

MARCH 9, 2022

 

Town Manager's Proposed Budget

 

At an ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET SESSION of the Town Council of the Town of South Kingstown, County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island, held at the Town Hall, in and for said Town on the 9^th day of March 2022 at 6:30 PM.

 

PRESENT:     Town Council

Rory H. McEntee, President

Abel G. Collins, Vice President

Deborah D. Bergner

Deborah J. Kelso

Jessica L. Rose

 

 

Also present: Theresa L. Murphy, Interim Town Manager; Zachary Saul, Finance Director; and Luke Murray, Director of Administrative Services.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance is given.

 

Theresa L. Murphy, Interim Town Manager notes that this evening’s Budget Work Session is for an overview of the FY2022-2023 Human Services and Outside Agencies grant program, and to hear from the agencies about their requests.

 

Luke Murray, Director of Administrative Services presents the program. Changes have been made to streamline the application process. The Interim Town Manager’s Proposed Budget recommends funding in the amount of $187,517, an increase of $20,741 for Celebrations and for the RI League of Cities and Towns. Level funding is proposed for all non-committed requests. The application process requires the organizations to submit requests, and each organization will present their request this evening. The Town received 17 applications. The current requests are $27,200 over the budgeted amount for FY 2022-2023. Mr. Murray reviews the considerations for evaluating the proposals, including the organizational mission, benefit to the public, ability to leverage additional grants or funding, support of regular operations vs. innovative projects, and the ability of the funds to do the most good.

 

There are three organizations for which proposed funding is committed. Funding for the RI League of Cities and Towns supports the Town’s annual dues. The League represents municipal interests on the state and federal levels.  The current request in the amount of $15,567 reflects an increase of $741 from the current year. 

 

Celebrations includes funding for 3 parades: Veterans Day Parade, Memorial Day Parade, and the Fireman’s Parade. An additional $20,000 is proposed for the Town’s 300^th Anniversary Celebration events. The total request is for $27,000.

 

Steven Pinch, Chief of the Union Fire District and Tom Reed, Chief of the Kingston Fire District are present and request funding in the amount of $10,000 for scholarships, and ongoing recruitment and retention efforts.

 

Jennifer Krueger, Deputy Director, Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale is present and requests level funding in the amount of $30,000. Funding will support their school vacation week meals and delivery program in addition to food pantry operations. Things are returning back to a more normal program level, serving about 150 students with 75% of them being from South Kingstown. They accept donations of non-perishable goods and staples.  

 

Jason Colonies, Executive Director of Education Exchange is present. They provide free Adult Basic Education, GED, and workforce training programs. Since the pandemic, they have become highly flexible. Their request is for level funding in the amount of $15,000 for ongoing operation and capital expenses, and expansion of adult enrichment programs.

 

Mark Collins is present and describes the Chris Collins Foundation which supports a student-led mental health awareness program at South Kingstown High School and Curtis Corner Middle School. The request is for $21,200, an increase of $11,200 from the current year appropriation. Funding supports community training and informational events.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the potential for the Collins Foundation to qualify for funding from the School Department’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, and from the State opioid settlement.

 

Michael Coelho, Director of Programs and Operations, Boys & Girls Club of Newport is present. The request is for level funding in the amount of $20,000 to sustain opportunities for South Kingstown youth to attend their summer camp in 2022.     

 

The Director of Administrative Services presents the request by the CANE Child Development Center, as the applicant cannot attend this evening. The request is for level funding in the amount of $9,000 for facility repairs and upgrades, and utility expenses.

 

Patricia Harmon, Neighbors Helping Neighbors is present and requests level funding of $4,000 to support their free home repair for low income families. Two home repair projects in South Kingstown will be done by their volunteers. Discussion ensues relative to funding opportunities through the American Rescue Plan Act program.

 

Southern RI Volunteers is represented by Deb Tanner, Executive Director. The request is for level funding of $2,000. The organization provides independent aging assistance services, delivering meals and groceries and providing transportation. The pandemic helped them identify seniors in need. Lindsay Tanner, who will succeed as Executive Director is also present and discusses the organization’s efforts.

 

Jan Bertwell, Vice President, Wakefield Village Association is present and requests level funding of $5,000 for holiday lighting on Main Street, River Fire, and the installation of solar lighting along the Saugatucket River for pedestrian safety.

 

Richard Grant, President and Rebecca Russell, Program Director, Narrow River Preservation Association are present and requests level funding in the amount of $1,950 to support operational costs for their water quality monitoring and testing program.

   

Erica Luke, Executive Director, South County History Center is present and discusses the archive museum and research center, and their collection. Their request is for $15,000 to help match a State Preservation grant to replace the roof and repair exterior mortar at their building, the old Washington County Jail.

 

Chris Little, Board President, South Kingstown Housing Authority is present and requests funding in the amount of $20,000 for pre-development soft costs to redevelop existing properties and expand affordable housing opportunities. Last year they requested a PILOT waiver in the amount of $18,000. They also intend to submit a request for ARPA funding.

 

Joe Viele, Executive Director, Southern RI Chamber of Commerce is present and notes that their level funding request of $9,000 will be used to support the business community, educational programs, and the local gift certificate program.   

 

The Director of Administrative Services reviews the Domestic Violence Resource Center’s request for level funding in the amount of $5,000 to support their helpline, and provide advocacy and support to victims of domestic violence.

 

Joe “Tiger” Patrick, Post Commander, VFW Post #916 is present and requests funding in the amount of $5,000 to help support their Washington County Veterans Resource Center. The request is $1,000 less than the current year appropriation.

 

Council President McEntee thanks the representatives for their presentations and their work in the community. He reviews the upcoming budget schedule.

 

Deb Tanner speaks in support of the Chris Collins Foundation.

 

Councilwoman Bergner comments on the proposed FY 2022-2023 tax rate of $11.02 and requests options to reduce the tax rate to under $11.00.

 

The Interim Town Manager responds that would be at the direction of the Town Council. Staff can present them with some variations.

 

Discussion ensues.

 

Zachary Saul, Finance Director notes that each penny on the tax rate generates about $68,000.

 

Council President McEntee asks that options be prepared for the Preliminary Budget Adoption meeting on March 21, 2022.

 

The Finance Director notes that in accordance with the Town Charter, the Town Manager has submitted a proposed budget for Council consideration. The Town Council has to identify changes and can adopt them at the Preliminary Budget hearing. Staff can prepare budget reduction options for the Council to review.

 

Adjourn at 7:46 PM.

 

Susan M. Flynn, CMC

Town Clerk