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| TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI 02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org |  |
WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL
FY26 Budget Workshop
Town Council Chambers
March 17, 2025
6:00 P.M.
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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 6:15 PM.
B. Roll Call taken by Town Clerk
Councilman Mark Dennison - Present
Councilman Jason Licciardi - Present
Councilman Jason Messier - 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
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. During the first two Tuesdays in April, we will hold 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 4.0% or $2,743,106.43.
· Approximate tax rate increase is 2.45%. (This may fluctuate slightly as the Tangible annual returns come back and get inputted – due on 3/15)
· 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 (4th 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.
· 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.
E. Budget Workshop – FY26 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026)
The Town Council will hear the following proposed departmental budgets:
· School Department
Superintendent K. Tarasevich presented the FY26 School Department budget. The total budget is $77,107,168. It is an increase of $2,152,470 or 2.87% over the FY25 adopted budget. She shared information regarding enrollment trends, school department needs, and cuts that will be need to be made to stay within this budget.
· Building
R. Assalone, Building Official, presents the Building Department budget. The only increase outside of contractual salary increases is to the Building Maintenance Water and Sewer budget.
D. Gosselin suggests cutting one maintenance position for a savings of approximately $68,000.
No questions were raised.
· Tax Assessor
S. Saccoccio, Tax Assessor, presents his budget to the Council.
No questions were raised.
· Board of Assessment Review
S. Saccoccio states that there are no changes to this budget.
No questions were raised.
· Planning
M. Shellman, Town Planner, presents her department budget. The only change she recommended was adding $25,000 annually to save towards the comp plan.
No questions were raised.
· Town Engineer
M. Knott states that this budget is level funded.
No questions were raised.
· Zoning
This budget remained the same.
No questions were raised.
· Public Library
C. McCullough, Library Director, presents his budget. The only increase he is requesting is for library staff salaries.
No questions were raised.
· Town Manager
M. Knott states that this budget has been level funded.
No questions were raised.
· Finance
K. Benoit, Finance Director, states that the only increase in the Finance Budget is due to the audit expense.
No questions were raised.
· General Government
M. Knott states that the only increase to this budget is an increase of $5,000 in the seasonal events line for the 250th Commission.
No questions were raised.
· Housing Board
This budget is level funded.
No questions were raised.
· Revenue
K. Benoit shared some modest increases to the revenue budget.
· Debt Service
K. Benoit states that there is a slight decrease in debt service.
· Street Lighting
This budget was decreased by $10,000.
No questions were raised.
· Information Technology
J. Frenette, IT Director, shares the IT budget. He is hoping to get some grant funding for FY26.
No questions were raised.
F. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Dennison to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 PM.
All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Rapose, MMC
Town Clerk