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

 

WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

FY27 Budget Workshop

Town Council Chambers

March 24, 2026

6:00 P.M.

(or immediately following the previous meeting)

 

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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 Mark Dennison – Present

Councilman Jason Licciardi – Absent

Council Jason Messier – Present

Council Vice-President M. 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 FY2027 Budget as presented by the respective Department Heads and the Town Manager.  We then hold 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. 

 

Our Finance Director, Kristen Benoit, continues to keep 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 FY2027 revenue and expenditure planning is a work in progress.

 

FY2027 Budget Key Points:

·       Total Budget increase is $6,590,253.  (inclusive of $4,171,167.28 in municipal expenses, $1,919,086 for School State Aid pass through appropriation, and a request to increase the School Department local appropriation by $500,000).

·       Levy increase is 4.0% or $2,824,613.54

·       Approximate tax rate increase is 4.15%.  (This may fluctuate slightly as the Tangible annual returns come back.)

·       Capital expenditure requests were eliminated in my proposal with the exception of a $33,000 placeholder for roadway improvement projects. We hope to restore several key needs if funds become available or federal, state, and private grants and aid get awarded. 

·       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.  The Legacy Plan ARC has been increased for FY2027 by $406,234.  $44,819 applies to the School Department and $361,415 applies to the Municipal Departments.

·       A 5.2% increase in our healthcare working rates has been applied. Transition to the RI Interlocal Trust for healthcare management has been successful. The actual increase is 8.21%, however we have excess funds in our Medical/Dental Internal Service Fund that will cover the excess increase.

·       A 7.0% increase was applied to our Property and Liability insurance premiums from FY2026 rates.

·       The Worker’s Comp line was not increased as the premium came in less than expected in FY2026.  Work Related Injury expense is included in this line as well.

·       The tax collection rate remains at 97.7%.

·       We do have a planned use of Fund Balance (savings account) for FY2027 in the amount of $1,500,000.  This includes $1,000,000 to cover anticipated litigation costs in pending tax matters and $500,000 to cover the request by the School Department for an increase in local appropriation.

·       Debt Service is increasing by $1,196,942 in FY2027.  This is inclusive of an additional $1,300,000 for the new school building bond and a reduction of $103,058 in existing debt service.

·       We look forward to collaborating with the Council to craft a finalized product that will be in the best interest of our hard-working and deserving community.  We are targeting the May 5^th Council meeting for a budget vote.

E.         Budget Workshop – FY27 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027)

 

The Town Council will hear the following proposed departmental budgets:

 

·       Personnel

The Personnel Department budget was reviewed, with two notable adjustments:

o   A reduction in retiree medical collection costs due to retirees aging out of coverage and increased enrollment in HSA‑based plans

o   A slight increase in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) budget due to the Police Department transitioning into the Town‑wide EAP following the discontinuation of their prior provider

 

·       Senior Center

 

Manny Murray, Senior Center Director, reviewed program participation and operational statistics from FY2025 to illustrate continued demand for services.  The proposed budget is level funded.  Director Murray announces he will be retiring in October. 

 

·       Tax Collector

 

R. Silva, Tax Collector, explains that the Tax Collector budget is level funded outside of contractual salary obligations.   No questions were asked.

 

·       Information Technology

 

J. Frenette, IT Director, presented his budget explaining that the primary expense line reflects bundled service agreements rather than hardware purchases. Notable items include:

 

·       Enterprise security software platforms

·       System monitoring and email protection

·       Microsoft 365 licensing

·       Firewall and server protection services

 

Council members requested a more detailed breakout of IT services for clarity, which the department agreed to provide.

 

·       Fire Department

·       Emergency Management Agency

 

Fire Department leadership presented operational statistics from FY2025, noting:

 

·       Over 8,800 calls for service, including:

o   More than 5,400 EMS calls

o   110 overdoses

o   190 motor vehicle accidents

o   21 structure fires

·       Over 2,000 inspections conducted by fire prevention staff

 

The proposed FY2027 Fire Department budget totals $16,209,684, representing an increase of just over 4%, driven primarily by salaries and overtime associated with several unanticipated retirements. Two additional firefighter positions were confirmed to support the operation of a third rescue unit beginning July 1, 2026.

 

EMA funding was reviewed and remains largely unchanged. The Fire Chief also advised that a preliminary storm damage assessment totaling approximately $302,000 had been submitted, which could yield up to 75% reimbursement pending federal approval.

 

·       Police Department

 

The Police Chief presented the FY2027 Police Department budget, emphasizing fiscal restraint and collaboration with the Town Manager. The department reduced its original increase request from $100,100 to $36,100.

 

Budget increases are primarily contractual, with limited discretionary spending increases for training, fleet maintenance, and the animal control shelter. Staffing challenges were discussed, including current academy recruits and anticipated retirements.

 

·       Public Library

 

Library Director, Colin McCullough, presented the FY2027 Library budget, sharing results from an ongoing community survey that demonstrated strong public support for library programs and services.

 

The presentation highlighted:

·       Educational, recreational, and social service programming

·       Free lunch programs

·       Partnerships with Thundermist Health Center, AARP, United Way, and other community organizations

·       Salary adjustments aimed at addressing minimum wage increases and market parity for library staff

·        The Council commended library staff for exceptional service and community engagement.

 

·       Capital

 

The Town Manager reviewed the Capital Budget, noting that requests were significantly reduced due to fiscal constraints. Remaining capital items focus primarily on roadway paving and infrastructure maintenance.

 

Rising asphalt and construction costs were discussed, with the Council expressing concern about timing projects amid ongoing price volatility. Grant opportunities and alternative funding sources were noted as priorities.

 

·       Town Sergeant

 

This budget was level funded.

 

·       Town Clerk

·       Board of Canvassers

 

Town Clerk, Sarah Rapose, presented the FY2027 Town Clerk and Board of Canvassers budget, noting:

 

·       Level funding across most line items

·       A suggested reduction in the Land Evidence Records budget, with renewal of the Town’s vendor contract scheduled for April 7, 2026

·       Anticipated increases in postage and election‑related expenses due to the upcoming election cycle

 

S. Rapose reported significant budgetary pressures and concerns associated with early voting, including staffing requirements at off‑site locations and the potential need for overtime or additional poll workers. She further advised that legislative uncertainty regarding the timing of the September primary could result in increased costs related to polling location setup, mailings, and holiday staffing.

 

·       Probate

 

This budget was level funded outside of contractual salary increases.  No questions were asked. 

 

·       Town Council

·       Legal

·       Debt Service

 

Legal expenditures were reviewed, including a proposed $1 million reserve for anticipated litigation settlements. Debt service increases were discussed, with clarification that the majority of the increase stems from the school construction bond, while existing debt obligations would otherwise decrease.

 

The Council announced:

·       First Budget Public Hearing – March 31, 2026

·       Second Budget Public Hearing – April 7, 2026

 

Council members noted that amendments may be introduced during either or both hearings.

 

F.         Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Dennison to adjourn at 7:00 P.M.                All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk