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

 

WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

FY24 Budget Workshop

Town Council Chambers

March 20, 2023

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 6:03 P.M.

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk          

Councilman Jason Licciardi – Present

Councilman Jason Messier – Present

Councilman Mark Bourget – Present

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson – Present

Council President David Goss

 

C.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

D.        Town Manager Overview of the Budget Process

 

Manager Knott reads the following statement:

At the Public Workshops the Town Council starts the process of reviewing and vetting the proposed FY2024 Budget.  Our Department Heads continued to be considerate of the Town’s fiscal constraints and the fluctuating status of the economy, while drafting requests that will support the continuation of the services expected by our community and provide for the upgrading of infrastructure necessary to offer those services safely and more efficiently. 

 

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our Finance Director, Kristen Benoit, in producing this proposal and keeping us on a reasonable and conservative path  This proposal process has been affected by the uncertainty of a finalized state budget, the national economy, inflation, and supply costs.  How these factor into our FY2024 revenue and expenditure planning is a work in progress.

 

FY2024 Budget Key Points:

·       Total Budget increase is $4,360,574  (inclusive of $956,440 in municipal expenses, $2,904,134 for School State Aid pass through appropriation, and a $500,000 increase to School Department appropriation).

·       Levy increase is 2.54% or $1,707,945.49.

·       All negotiated contractual obligations for unionized staff and salary adjustments for non-union personnel are included in this budget.

·       Capital expenditure requests total $208,925. (Planning on proposing use of ARPA funds and aggressively seeking federal, state, and private grants and aid)

·       We have fully transitioned into the Employee Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI). Rates provided by ERSRI have been applied to all pensionable salary types within the respective departments.

·       A 3% decrease in our working rates has been applied as we prepare for our transition to the RI Interlocal Trust for healthcare management.

·       Increase to Workers Comp is due to additional billing received after the Workers Comp Audit.  Total FY2023 expense expected to be $447,000.  The adjustment for FY2024 is only slightly higher due to our Experience Modification decreasing again for favorable claims experience.

·       The tax collection rate remains the same at 96.8%.

·       No planned use of Fund Balance for FY2024.

·       I look forward to collaborating with you to craft a finalized product that will be in the best interest of our hard-working and deserving community.

 

E.         Budget Workshop – FY24 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024)

           

The Town Council will hear the following proposed departmental budgets:

 

·       School Department

 

Superintendent Tarasevich was in attendance on behalf of the School Department along with Finance Director J. Spagna.  They review the School budget including capital and safety improvements.  They are requesting a $500,000 increase in appropriation from the Town. 

 

·       Building

 

R. Assalone, Building Official, presents his budget proposal to the Council.  There are no changes outside of contractual salary increases.

D. Gosselin shares concerns relative to the half and half position.

 

·       Tax Assessor

 

S. Saccoccio, Tax Assessor, presents his budget to the Council.  There are no significant changes.  There is a slight increase in computer services due to the GIS system. 

 

J. Licciardi would like to see the Senior Tax Exemption considered in this budget.  He shares ideas as to how to make that possible.

 

Discussion ensues relating to the Senior Tax Exemption.

 

·       Board of Assessment Review

 

This department is level funded.

 

No questions were asked.

 

·       Planning

 

Manager Knott explains that the only change to this budget is $3,000 for the Town’s portion of the Hazard Mitigation Plan.

 

No questions were asked.

 

·       Town Engineer

 

No questions were asked.

 

·       Zoning

 

The Zoning Board has asked for an increase in their per meeting pay.  Council discussion ensues relative to payment for Board and Committee members. 

 

·       Personnel

 

S. Fournier, Human Resources Director, explains the changes to her budget. 

 

No questions were asked.

 

·       Town Manager

 

Manager Knott presents his budget. 

 

No questions were asked.

 

·       Finance

 

K. Benoit, Finance Director, presents her budget to the Council.  The only changes are contractual salary changes. 

 

No questions were asked.

 

·       Tax Collector

 

R. Silva, Tax Collector, presents her budget to the Council. 

 

No questions were asked.

 

·       Senior Center

 

M. Murray, Senior Center Director, presents his budget to the Council.  He has asked for a $10,000 increase to pay for two employees that assist him with daily maintenance and activities. 

 

·       Housing Board

 

There were no changes to this budget.

 

·       Revenue

 

K. Benoit explains the Revenues to the Council.

 

·       Debt Service

 

K. Benoit explains the changes in Debt Service. 

 

·       Street Lighting

 

 

F.         Adjournment

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 P.M.

                                    All Ayes

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk