A.         Meeting called to order by the Town Council President at 6:07 P.M.

B.         Prayer led by Council

C.         Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

D.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Councilman Mark Dennison - Present

Councilman Jason Licciardi - Present

Councilman Jason Messier – Arrived at 6:29 P.M.

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Present

Council President David Gosselin - Present

E.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

F.         Public Hearing on the proposed FY2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) Municipal Budget

Manager Knott reads the following statement:

At the Public Workshops the Town Council and the public start the process of reviewing and vetting the proposed FY2026 Budget as presented by the respective Department Heads and the Town Manager.  We are now holding two Public Hearings where the Council will make adjustments to this proposal after considering public comments and welcome input.

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 the 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.   Our recent budget processes continue to be  affected by the uncertainty of a finalized state budget and federal funding sources, the national economy, inflation fluctuations, and rising supply costs.  How these all affect our FY2026 revenue and expenditure planning is a work in progress.

FY2026 Budget Key Points:

·       Total Budget increase is $5,969,165.  (inclusive of $1,791,231 in municipal expenses, $3,186,209 for School State Aid pass through appropriation, and a request to increase the School Department appropriation by $991,725).

·       Levy increase is 3.99% or $2,744,378.75. (updated)

·       Approximate tax rate increase is 2.75%.  (This may fluctuate slightly as the Tangible annual returns come back and revaluation appeals are settled.) (updated)

·       Funds that were reserved for anticipated collective bargaining salary adjustments for unionized staff and salary adjustments for non-union personnel in the FY2025 budget still need to be proportionately dispersed in April (4^th quarter by Charter). The salary and related accounts in the FY2026 proposal will appear disproportionate until then.

·       Capital expenditure requests totaling $1,273,039 have been eliminated in my proposal with the hope of restoring several key needs if funds become available or federal, state, and private grants and aid get awarded.  ARPA funds are no longer available.

·       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.  Legacy Plan employer rates have increased for FY2026.

·       A 5.2% increase in our healthcare working rates has been applied. Transition to the RI Interlocal Trust for healthcare management has been successful. (updated: actuals 5.66% for healthcare and 5.07% for dental)

·       A 7.5% increase was applied to our Property and Liability insurance premiums from FY2025 rates.

·       The increase to Workers Comp is due to a slight increase to our Experience Modification for FY2026.  Work Related Injury expense is included in this line as well.

·       The tax collection rate is 97.0%.

·       No planned use of Fund Balance for FY2026.

·       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.

John Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, shares concerns with personnel benefits being more than some salaries.  He is also concerned that most of the cuts to the school budget where to special education.  He feels that most of the cuts are made to the people at the bottom, and suggests looking at administration positions.  He is worried about how this budget will effect the children and the elderly. 

Derek Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, would like to see a 0% - .5% increase.  He shares concerns with the teachers that are being cut.  He has seen DPW employees sitting on their phones.  He questions if assistant directors are needed. 

Superintendent, Karen Tarasevich, states that current school administrators are in contracts that are not expiring in this budget cycle.  She does not rule out cuts to administration in the future. 

Paul Villa, of 15 Janet Drive, would like to see the salary lines in the school budget broken down. 

Tom Oates, of 6 Colonial Way, states that there is an increased number of students with special needs.  He feels that it is important to support these children so they can become functioning members of society.  The town needs to invest in them. 

J. Licciardi states that the school department budget is determined by them.  It is not a Council decision.

M. Williamson shares that the school department must post layoffs by March 31^st.  She suspects that most of those positions will be re-instated.

M. Dennison is concerned with the amount of money that the district is paying for students that are attending schools out of district. 

K. Tarasevich explains how school choice works.  The district is working with RIDE to make hopefully make changes. 

M. Dennison shares that 239 students are going out of district, while 19 students are coming in from other districts.  He is impressed that the school department was able to get down to only a $991,000 increase with the unfunded state mandates. 

K. Tarasevich explains the layoff process.  They have to post any position that may be impacted by bumping.  She does not expect that all of those positions will be lost.  She explained how the timeline of the school/municipal budget is effected by the state budget.  She is also hoping that the school will be able to get a grant to fund positions. 

M. Williamson adds that this is a problem for all municipalities around the state, not just West Warwick.

M. Dennison shares that some parents are sending their students to other schools for their athletics programs. 

D. Gosselin states that the next budget public hearing will be held on April 8^th at 6:00 P.M.

G.        Adjournment

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn at 7:07 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk