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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 24, 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 6:01 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:
· Personnel
S. Fournier, Personnel Director, presents her budget.
No questions were raised.
· Senior Center
M. Murray, Senior Center Director, presents his budget to the Council. He has added $45,000 to the budget due to cuts in grant funding.
No questions were raised.
· Tax Collector
R. Silva, Tax Collector, presents her budget to the Council. The only changes are due to contracted salary increases and a slight increase in the higher class budget.
No questions were raised.
· Fire Department
Chief Varrone presents the Fire Department budget. He is requesting a 10% overall increase mostly due to contractual salary and medical expenses.
No questions were raised.
· Emergency Management Agency
No questions were raised.
· Police Department
Chief Lavigne presents the Police Department budget. The only increases are due to contractual salary increases.
No questions were raised.
· Department of Public Works
· Parks & Recreation
J. Caldwell, DPW Director, presents the Public Works and Parks and Recreation budgets.
No questions were raised.
· Capital
M. Knott states that he has cut the Capital budget. He is hoping that capital projects can be funded through grants or other resources.
· Town Sargant
This budget is level funded.
No questions were raised.
· Town Clerk
· Board of Canvassers
· Probate
S. Rapose, Town Clerk, states that the Town Clerk, Board of Canvassers, and Probate Departments have been level funded.
No questions were raised.
· Town Council
This budget has been level funded.
No questions were raised.
· Legal
M. Knott presents the legal budget. The only change is removing the Judgement Settlement line item.
No questions were raised.
F. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn at 6:37 PM. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah S. Rapose, MMC
Town Clerk