Warwick Finance Committee and City Council Meeting - September 22, 2025

The Warwick City Council and its committees met on September 22, 2025, in a lengthy session that began at 5:01 PM and concluded after 11:45 PM. The Finance Committee considered numerous capital and operational purchases, many of which were moved to the full council without recommendation due to split votes. The full council later voted on several items, approved a consent calendar, and received a detailed presentation from the School Budget Oversight Commission on a $2.1 million school deficit. Public comment addressed shoreline access, property tax equity, and school funding. The meeting also included docketing of several new ordinances and resolutions for future consideration.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved a consent calendar (PCR 96-25 and PCR 97-25) after removing eight items for separate discussion. The consent calendar included routine approvals such as bid awards and abatements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Danielle Duby (99 Midgley Ave): Urged the city to restore historic public access to the shoreline at Safe Harbor Marina, citing a public safety emergency due to blocked emergency access. She requested a resolution affirming public right-of-way under Rhode Island law.
• Ann Sheridan (Ward 9): Opposed granting a five-year tax treaty for a proposed apartment development on Post Road, arguing that developers do not need incentives given high rental demand and that tax benefits would flow solely to the developer, not to tenants.
• Richard Langseth (Buttonwoods): Asserted that the Buttonwoods Beach Association fails to pay taxes on its private streets despite receiving public services worth an estimated $1,000 per household per year, and called for either removal of "no trespassing" signs or payment of back taxes.
• Darlene Netco (Ward 7, Warwick Teachers Union President): Defended the school department’s $2 million additional funding request, stating that Warwick’s schools have been underfunded for 15 years due to state cuts and that 45 positions (mostly special education) have already been eliminated. She called for a city budget commission parallel to the school commission.

Discussion Items

• Police Vehicle Purchase (8 vehicles, $524,892): Major Robert Hart requested approval to buy eight Ford Police Utility Vehicles. Councilman Latissa expressed strong concerns about excessive spending and moved to amend the request to four vehicles ($262,446). After debate, the Finance Committee deadlocked 2-2, sending the item to the full council without recommendation. On the floor, a motion to amend to four vehicles failed (5-5? roll call showed 4 yes, 5 no), and a motion to approve the full eight required six votes but received only five yes votes. A subsequent motion to hold the item until October 6 passed.
• Design Services for Rocky Point Gateway ($482,840): Planning Director Tom Cravitt presented the project, funded entirely by federal and state grants with no city tax dollars. He explained that the contract was awarded through a qualification-based process per the Brooks Act. Council members asked about other bidders and project scope; the item was approved without opposition.
• Municipal Police and Fire Term Life Insurance ($369,333): Personnel Director Steven Rotondo and Purchasing Director Francis Gomez requested approval for a three-year contract. The previous contract was net of employee contributions ($133,593), but the new request was for gross spending authority. Council members criticized the lack of transparency in the change from net to gross accounting. The committee voted to send the item to the full council without recommendation.
• School Budget Oversight Commission Presentation: Chairman Ernie Almonte and Vice Chair Sherry Koontz presented findings from a five-month review. They identified a $2,181,388 deficit for fiscal year 2026, a $5 million projected deficit from fiscal 2025, and cumulative deficits from previous years. Key issues included lack of internal controls, un-reconciled payroll lists (leading to a $5 million compensation adjustment), and poor grant tracking. Recommendations included establishing stronger internal controls, quarterly reporting to the council, and a performance audit on class size, building utilization, and staffing. The presentation was informational; no council action was taken.
• Other Finance Committee Items: Numerous bids were discussed, including five Chevrolet Blazers (moved to floor without recommendation), a tractor trailer cab ($177,390, moved favorably), firefighter medical evaluations ($160,000, moved favorably), Zamboni ($122,589, moved without recommendation), paratransit van ($110,750, advanced), and various police and fire equipment (many advanced with PCRs). Several items were amended or held pending further information.

Key Outcomes

• Police Vehicle Purchase: Held to October 6, 2025, after failing to secure six votes for approval.
• School Deficit: No council action; the School Budget Commission’s report was received for informational purposes. The commission will recommend a formal list of internal control policies and a performance audit.
• Consent Calendar: Approved with eight items removed for separate discussion.
• Intergovernmental Committee: Appointments to the Board of Canvassers and Historic District Commission were held until October 6; Kent County Water Authority reappointment was confirmed unanimously.
• Docketed Items: Council members introduced multiple new ordinances and resolutions, including requiring council notification 60 days before bid expirations, a city council budget commission for fiscal oversight, requiring council approval for revenue items, and mandating GPS and dash cameras in city vehicles. These items were assigned to various committees for future consideration.