| TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI 02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org |
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WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL
FY24 Budget Workshop
Town Council Chambers
March 27, 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 7:06 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 Gosselin - Present
C. Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk
D. Town Manager Overview of the Budget Process
M. Knott reads the following for the record:
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:
· Public Library
C. McCullough was in attendance on behalf of the Library. He presents his budget to the Council. He shares concerns with the pay for staffing. His staff is paid 17% less then their peers around the state.
M. Bourget feels that the Library may be stretched thin with their wide variety of services.
C. McCullough states that the community needs are changing. He feels their variety of services are necessary.
· Fire Department
Chief Varone was in attendance on behalf of the Fire Department. He presents his budget to the Council.
K. Benoit explains that the pension liabilities have been moved to each department.
· Emergency Management Agency
Chief Varone explains that this budget has been level funded.
· Police Department
Chief Lavigne presents his budget to the Council.
· General Government
K. Benoit reviews the General Government budget with the Council.
· Department of Public Works
Public Works presents their budget.
J. Licciardi shares concerns with lowering the sidewalk budget.
Manager Knott states they can use other funding sources for sidewalk repair.
· Parks & Recreation
J. Caldwell presents the Parks and Recreation Budget.
· Capital
Manager Knott presents the Capital Budget.
· Town Sergeant
This budget was level funded.
· Town Clerk
S. Rapose presents the budget for the Town Clerk’s Department. There are no changes outside of contracted salary adjustments.
· Board of Canvassers
S. Rapose presents the budget for the Board of Canvassers. She has reduced the budget to reflect the needs for expected upcoming elections. She is also proposing moving the board members to stipends. Because the meeting schedule of the Board is dictated by the elections they need to facilitate each year, she feels that it would be beneficial for budgetary reasons to move them to a stipend in an effort to not go over budget.
· Probate
S. Rapose presents the budget for the Probate Court. This budget is level funded outside of contracted salary adjustments.
· Town Council
This budget is level funded.
· Legal
Manager Knott presented the legal budget. There is a slight increase to the Planning/Zoning budget due to a salary increase for the Planning/Zoning solicitor.
F. Update from the Town Manager on ARPA Funds
Manager Knott updated the Council on the current status of the ARPA funds. He shares the priority list.
G. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn at 9:10 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk