TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI  02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org

 

WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

FY23 Budget Workshop

Town Council Chambers

March 21, 2022

6:00 P.M.

 

 

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AGENDA WITH ATTACHMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT:  https://clerkshq.com/westwarwick-ri

 

M I N U T E S

 

*Please Note:  Any matter listed on this agenda may be acted upon by the Town Council*

 

A.         Meeting called to order by the Town Council President at 6:06 PM.

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Councilman Jason Licciardi

Councilman Mark Bourget

Councilman Jason Messier

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson

Council President David Gosselin

 

C.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

D.        Town Manager Overview of the Budget Process

 

M. Knott proposed the budget to the Council.  The total budget increase is $2,462,932.00 which includes $422,973 in municipal expenses and about $1.5 in school appropriations.  The proposed levy increase is 1.98%.  Due to property revaluations, the tax rate is expected to decrease.

 

E.         Budget Workshop – FY23 (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)

 

The Town Council will hear the following proposed departmental budgets:

 

·       School Department

 

Superintendent Karen Tarasevich was in attendance on behalf of the School Department.  The School Committee voted to approve a balance budget. 

 

·       Building

 

Robert Assalone presented the Building Department budget.  The budget decreased by about $5,000 due to a staffing change with a reduction in longevity pay.

 

There were no questions from Council.

 

·       Tax Assessor

 

Sal Saccoccio presented the budget for the Tax Assessor’s office.  His budget has decreased from last year because this isn’t a tax revaluation year.  He predicts the tax rate to reduce due to the increase in property values. 

 

·       Board of Assessment Review

 

Sal Saccoccio states that this budget slightly increased to accommodate appeals. 

 

·       Planning

 

M. Knott presented the budget on behalf of the Planning Department.  The only increase was the medical expense for a new Town Planner.  The previous Planner did not require health insurance. 

 

·       Town Engineer

 

M. Knott states that this budget stayed the same. 

 

·       Zoning

 

No changes to report.

 

·       Personnel

 

Sherri Fournier presented her department’s budget.  She notes the need for the hiring of a third party to handle retiree medical collection costs.  She has also requested $1,000 for employee engagement. 

 

·       Town Manager

 

M. Knott informs the body that the only changes are in salaries and medical and dental.  Otherwise the department is level funded. 

 

·       Finance

 

K. Benoit presents the Finance budget.  She explains the increases to her budget.

 

·       Tax Collector

 

Rosemarie Silva presents her budget.  The only increases in her budget are due to salary increases.  She expresses the need for a new software program.  She shares her concerns with the current system. 

 

·       Senior Center

 

Manny Murray presented the budget on behalf of the Senior Center. 

 

·       Housing Board

 

No changes.

 

·       Revenue

 

K. Benoit presents the revenues. 

 

·       Debt Service

 

K. Benoit reviews the debt service.  The debt service payment has gone down.  They paid the bond sinking fund. 

 

·       Street Lighting

 

K. Benoit presents the street lighting budget. 

 

 

F.         Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to adjourn at 7:42 P.M.                         All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

_____________________________

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk