Warwick Finance Committee Budget Hearing - May 18, 2026

The Warwick Finance Committee convened at 3:58 PM on May 18, 2026, to hold public hearings on PCR 55-26 (transfers, supplemental and emergency appropriations) and PCR 56-26 (adoption of the FY27 budget and tax rates). The meeting ran until approximately 10:30 PM, with plans to continue unfinished business on May 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM. The committee reviewed proposed budgets for numerous city departments, heard public testimony, and discussed line-item details.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Richard Langseth (Budlong Farm) questioned the practice of council members submitting questions to the administration offline, asking if the public has access to those responses. The solicitor stated they are not public.
• Michelle Comar (Ward 1) raised concerns about the $150,000 in contributive support funding to nonprofits, questioning the lack of detail on their activities and the disparity with the Warwick Land Trust's $400 budget. She also asked about homeless services and senior housing planning.
• Ian Sheridan asked about the increase in debt service and clarified that the transfer from the OPEB fund was not occurring; the $5 million previously slated for OPEB was simply deferred.
• Stuart Wilson (Ward 1) praised the city's snow removal response and inquired about departmental responsibilities for parks and infrastructure.
• Karen? (name unclear) asked about salary breakdowns for specific positions.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Opening Remarks: The mayor highlighted a $15.8 million debt service increase due to voter-approved school bonds totaling $444 million, a fund balance built to over $30 million, and a new agreement with RIDOT to begin state reimbursement upon certificate of occupancy for the new high schools—two years earlier than expected. He noted a proposed 2.68% increase in school funding (versus the budget commission's 2.18%), a bare-bones city budget, and the city's progress on infrastructure after ARPA funds.
• Executive Department: Chief of Staff Bill Facente confirmed increases are contractual (3.25% annual, 0.9% mid-year, step and longevity). Councilman Lattiser questioned the 4.18% increase for the chief of staff role, which also serves as community development director.
• Legal Department: No increase over previous year. Discussion centered on monthly retainers for solicitors; year-to-date spending projections were debated.
• City Clerk: Linda Braska noted step increases for three employees and reductions due to new hires at step one for two positions.
• Finance Department: Director Lynn Proger described a system project analyst transfer from MIS, increased professional services for the audit (expected to cost more due to delays), and the hourly $75 rate for Peter Schaefer (temporary services), whose $39,000 salary is partly reimbursed through school bond closing costs. Council members expressed concerns about transparency and the net/gross budgeting method.
• Treasury: Kyla Jones stated all increases are contractual; a 21.2% increase for an accounts payable specialist was attributed to step and longevity.
• City Assessor: Director Neil Dupuy noted contractual increases, three vacant positions to be filled, and a new rolling revaluation approach saving ~$200,000 annually. A 18.6% increase for a senior appraiser was explained by step and longevity.
• MIS: Director Phil Carlucci presented an aggressive budget, holding the line on software and hardware despite significant price increases (e.g., a $20,000 quote two years ago now $89,000). He noted his own salary increase to prepare for a likely departure in FY27.
• Police: Commander reported roughly $1.37 million increase, with $937,828 in contractual raises and $176,800 in uncontrollable costs (fuel, electricity). No non-contractual raises. Two positions were merged, saving $50,000.
• Fire: Chief Peter McMichael presented a $30.92 million budget with contractual increases only. Overtime is trending under budget for the first time due to better staffing. The $80,000 for recruit training covers 12 recruits starting February 2027.
• Public Works Highway: Director Eric Earls described contractual increases. A math error in the telephone line item (should be $10,000, not $1,000) was noted. Discussion on the paving budget revealed it is held in a separate account (4010401/4010430) to carry over Rhode Island Energy reimbursements, not in the current budget documents. Council members demanded transparency on the paving reserve balance and snow removal costs for FEMA reimbursement.
• Parks and Recreation: Director Holly Weber noted a $50,000 math error in the personnel supplement (total shown as $1,056,410 instead of $1,006,410) due to a last-minute cut in seasonal salaries.

Key Outcomes

• The public hearing was opened for both PCR 55-26 and PCR 56-26 without objection.
• The committee agreed to cease deliberations at approximately 10:30 PM and continue the remaining budget items—starting with the School Department budget—on May 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM.
• Several line items were flagged for follow-up, including the paving reserve account balance, snow removal total costs and FEMA reimbursement estimates, and detailed breakdowns of step/longevity increases for multiple positions.