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REGULAR SESSION
PRESENT: Rory H. McEntee, President
Michael K. Marran, Vice President
Patricia A. Alley
Deborah D. Bergner
Jessica L. Rose
1. A. REGULAR SESSION 
2. A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
The Pledge of Allegiance is given.
B. The Land Acknowledgement Statement is read.
3. ROLL CALL
Roll Call is taken and all members are present.
The following members of the School Committee are present: Paula Whitford, Chairwoman, Michelle Brousseau, Vice Chair, Melissa Boyd, Katherine Macinanti, James Restivo and Bradley Shear. Carol Vetter is absent.
Also present: James M. Manni, Town Manager; Brian Silvia, Finance Director; Mark Prince, School Superintendent; and Raquel Pellerin, School Chief Financial Officer.
4. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Notice having been duly given, a Public Hearing, with School Committee participation is held relative to the Town Council’s Preliminary Budget for FY 2023-2024 as adopted on March 20, 2023. This Public Hearing will address all funds contained within the Town Council’s Preliminary Budget.
James Manni, Town Manager notes that this is the second required Public Hearing on the Preliminary Budget with the School Committee. Mr. Manni will present an overview of the budget hearing and adoption process in accordance with the Town Charter, and then turn the presentation over to the Finance Director. The Town Manager requests permission to leave at that point to attend the Narragansett Town Council meeting to testify for Senior Center funding reimbursement. The Town Manager reviews the budget adoption process, and notes that the Town Council’s Final Budget will be adopted at a Public Hearing during their Regular Session on Monday, April 24, 2023.
The Preliminary Budget for FY 2023-2024 contains a net property tax levy of $76,157,776, an increase of 1.63% from the current year. The tax rate is proposed at $11.07 per thousand, an increase of 1.10% from the current rate of $10.95 per thousand. All funds budgeted for FY 2023-2024 total $105,013,974, an increase of $2,474,280 or 2.41% compared with the current year adopted budget of $102,539,596. Mr. Manni notes that this is a good budget overall, considering inflation and other factors.
The Town Manager excuses himself and leaves the meeting.
Brian Silvia, Finance Director reviews the changes to the budget enacted by the Town Council. Revenues in the State Library General Aid were reduced by $20,006 to correct a duplication error, and expenditures in the Canvassing Authority account were increased by $16,585 to account for administration costs of the Presidential Preference Primary. Current year taxes were increased by $36,591.
Mr. Silvia reviews the Town Council’s Adopted Preliminary Budget, noting that the Property Tax Transfer to Schools is level funded at $55,994,773, and the tax rate will increase by 1.10% to $11.07. The Net Property Tax Levy for the Town is $18,772,535 or 24.65% of the total, and for the Schools is $57,385,241 or 75.35% for a total program of $76,157,776. The tax distribution for the Town is $2.73 and for the Schools is $8.34 for a total tax rate of $11.07. An analysis of the General Fund Tax Revenue reflects an increase in assessed values for real property and tangible personal property. The Preliminary Adopted Budget Program is $105,013,975.
The Finance Director reviews the General Fund revenues and expenditures totaling $30,824,918. Mr. Silvia clarifies that State Aid has increased to compensate for the end of the motor vehicle levy. Wages account for the largest General Fund increase in expenditures, and motor vehicles account for the largest revenue change.
Councilwoman Rose leaves the meeting.
A review of the School Fund revenues and expenditures in the amount of $62,635,680 reflects that the cost of services is up, wages are down, and State Aid will increase by $500,000.
The Peace Dale Office Building Fund at $106,633 reflects an increase in capital outlay. The Senior Services Fund reflects an increased expenditure in commodities, a reduction in capital outlay, with the largest revenue increase from grants. Neighborhood Guild Fund expenditure increases in capital outlay and services are balanced with increased departmental revenues for a total program of $873,160. The Community Recreation Center program of $709,213 includes expenditure increases in services and capital outlay and increased departmental revenue. The Debt Service Fund is proposed at $1,915,386 for FY 2023-2024. The balance of total outstanding debt is decreasing and as of June 30, 2023 is estimated to be $15,841,000.
The Water Enterprise Fund for FY 2023-2024 is proposed at $1,263,651, with a reduction in capital outlay. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund is proposed at $5,068,231 with an increase in commodities as well as an increase on the revenue side from property taxes and usage fees. The Solid Waste Fund is proposed at $887,262, a decrease of about $114,000.
The Town’s Unassigned Fund Balance to be applied to the Town Budget for FY 2023-2024 is proposed at $1,043,608. Fund Balance is estimated to decrease by $40,000 to $15,599,644 or 17.52%.
Councilwoman Bergner asks if the budget is based on all taxes being collected.
The Finance Director responds that the budget is based on a collection rate of 98.71% plus prior year taxes collected.
Councilwoman Bergner comments on the Fund Balance ramping up for a school bond referendum.
The Finance Director notes that Debt Service is going up for that reason.
Council President McEntee invites residents to come forward with comments.
Dorald Beasley is present and submits a 10-slide handout that he prepared regarding the school budget and discusses school staff positions, per pupil cost, ELA accountability study, RICAS scores and teacher absenteeism.
Joseph Coppola is present and comments that the difference between the 2022 Actual and the 2024 Preliminary Budget shows a 20% increase in the total General Fund, and a 20% increase in services and a decrease in wages in the School Fund, and asks what the drivers are for these costs and savings.
The Finance Director responds that the 2022 Adopted Budget was higher than the 2022 Actual Budget causing the difference between FY 2022 and FY 2024 to appear greater, but he does not have the exact figures at hand.
Bob Trager is present and comments on citizen participation.
Elizabeth Nestor is present and comments in favor of utilizing a countdown clock for public comments to keep meetings to a reasonable time for the public and to enforce the Council’s own rules, supports the budget which reports all funding including grant funding, and thanks staff and the Council for all their work on the budget.
The Finance Director responds to Mr. Coppola’s previous inquiry and reviews the Adopted Budget figures for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic affected operations and expenses.
Dorald Beasley comments on ELA 2022 achievement information, the Town’s standing in the RICAS assessments, and that the Town can’t just keep level funding the School budget.
Councilwoman Alley responds that in the RICAS assessments for K-12, South Kingstown is #5.
Councilwoman Bergner comments that teachers cannot retire due to changes in the state pension system so many are at the top step for many years.
School Committee Chair Whitford comments that she appreciates Mr. Beasley’s research but it is not always accurate. The School Department is preparing for RICAS testing now, and teachers should not be crucified for absences that you don’t know the reasons for.
Councilwoman Alley comments that teachers were at the front lines during the pandemic, and deal with children who often spread illnesses.
School Committee Vice Chair Brousseau comments that many teachers are on the top step because they come here and stay. Pension reform changed retirement rules for teachers. She takes issue with comparing Rhode Island schools to Massachusetts schools. That state made public K-12 education a constitutional right and provides significant funding to the school systems.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to close the Public Hearing.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to adjourn at 8:05 PM.
Susan M. Flynn, CMC, Town Clerk