[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6576766,"mediaKeyId","3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1","parentId",3047029,"title","Narragansett finance staff: general fund picture stable but long-term choices loom on levy, debt and pensions","audioSeconds",720,"startMs",7200000,"endMs",7920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1&start=7200&end=7920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576766/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Narragansett-finance-staff-general-fund-picture-stable-but-long-term-choices-loom-on-levy-debt-and-pensions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576766-6f947c40f59ab99c3e474c5e9800ceb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166968&Signature=ET7mm~IC7LJ6jiFuLHXTszVOPxFD6SdzVJlnhru7OO1JcdxBHc9d2nm4ZM71aNZuQiFj2SKYrP9~RUmFhU-yaH~WjuhS1vYM0kCpQKm5MIFDCrlI3qGu-HHeSmBpbA4a6iwwSMWUR-RKg-CsV9I6tVFK5xYsCim0P7MBzrCIkryXPnW0SOJ6tvXFlwAwoio4lRg6MpuWOF4~EPGiWNmuxBio~mSlWuDmLahldKKAdA5pUahpfMoJiD81kAQcsXmiojOkQ8YBOpgl9F3dNq4hnCBiZBVLOpe~dmGsfTk94M~vaPj45VfpinOHJ04Umha~eHlYj~yn1SPDeDqh8FEH~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Narragansett","date","2025-04-18T00:55:38.68Z","article","Finance staff presented the town's finance departmental budgets and an overview of the general-fund picture, debt obligations and pension/OPEB positions.

Highlights from the presentation:
- Department budgets: the finance department's budget lines overall decreased by about 8.5% attributable to staff turnover and the timing of several items. Individual line changes included small increases for general accounting and decreases where revaluation or temporary staffing lines were not required this year.
- General fund projection: as presented the town's current package would result in a roughly 3.06% increase in the general fund budget assuming a 4% tax levy and a residential tax rate near $6.79; the presenter characterized that as the standing projection with current cuts and requests. Staff noted that changing the levy by 1% alters a substantial dollar amount (approximately $650,000 per percentage point, as staff illustrated) and that use of fund balance or other adjustments would shift those percentages.
- Debt: the town's outstanding governmental debt balance was shown near $23 million and projected to decline to roughly $20 million by FY2026 as scheduled payments continue. Staff reviewed state ratio limits for debt service; Narragansett is within statutory caps (e.g., general fund debt service to operating budget and other ratios are below the state maximums).
- Pension and OPEB: actuarial assumptions were updated, including lowering investment return assumptions to 7%, and the town's pension funding ratio improved from about 71.4% to 73.8% in the latest valuation. OPEB saw favorable investment returns last year and the town continues to make recommended actuarially determined contributions (ADCs). Staff noted the police closed pension has only nine remaining participants and staff are reviewing whether contribution patterns should change as that plan winds down.

Other points:
- The town has several potential unbudgeted items circulating in capital planning (affordable housing match, additional road bond amounts). The presenter noted bond issuance itself has costs (legal, rating, underwriting) that should be budgeted if the council chooses to go to the ballot for new bond authorizations.
- The hotel tax, meal tax and other state-shared revenue projections remain subject to final state action; staff flagged a potential phased reduction in hotel tax proposals at the state level as one risk scenario that could remove approximately $1 million over a multi-year phase-out.

Staff asked council members to submit follow-up questions quickly so numerical scenarios can be modeled before the public hearing and formal budget votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Narragansett Town Council - Budget Worksession - April 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Finance staff gave an overview of department budgets, debt and pensions. The town faces a projected general-fund increase of about 3.06% under current proposals (with a 4% levy cap available), outstanding debt of about $23 million and improving pension and OPEB funding ratios.","taxTitle","Narragansett, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79580,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576771,"Galilee landing fee increases boosted fund to about $140,000; fee proceeds pay local services",135,5157000,5292000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1&start=5157&end=5292","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1/thumbnail_5157000.jpg","/articles/6576771/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Galilee-landing-fee-increases-boosted-fund-to-about-140000-fee-proceeds-pay-local-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576771-c769bca0f397da532971bd1ace3941a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166968&Signature=H4D6p3dUwuYaBl3z~7Pv5G95m5VQ~EyedpPnf~GeCCYN2eIOmrYC88p~Dc9BOAmceP62lt5D2mN1brRg1r3XMdoFOSOf8ZMFN6To9UR7ah~MlKY20erP9T4O7bXRj-C1uYKIS8qqluYRSMwN4ZK5d7Lj~XKhuKY3PAGiL0UQDkpiN9O8HIzb3jIAhFmyNLxNYdv4m~jvC1ufTE3-tuCPu32EWSrl0HnSHMnmQwyrHitBsLPRSFh0~HiaK1AGIrjxgLL30g8wmeUC6M1oF9H~D0QXT3HeJh1c0xUYx2HdtrsVuxt~ENhhK3TZfySt2T-Pw8OttEUUQSxFvFop2baGzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town finance staff reported a $140,000 deposit to the Galilee Landing Fund, money the town receives from the per-passenger ferry landing fee that is collected as part of ferry ticket sales. An agreement enacted years ago set a 35¢ landing fee; staff said the town successfully pursued an increase with the legislature and the fee is now 50¢, bringing an estimated additional $30,000–$35,000 in annual revenue compared with the prior rate.

The fund covers local costs tied to Galilee Landing operations: constable and police detail hours, trash removal, small maintenance items and planter/decoration costs. Finance staff said most of the constable and detail hours at the landing are paid from the landing fund rather than the general police budget.

Councilors discussed whether the landing fee should be revisited again with Block Island officials; staff said they would coordinate a joint approach to the legislature in a future session and would ask the town council to pass a supporting resolution if the council supports an additional increase.

Staff also noted an existing interlocal arrangement with Block Island and said the 50¢ rate aligns the town with New Shoreham (Block Island) and that the town would approach the legislature again if both communities agree.","The Galilee Landing Fund received about $140,000 this year; the revenue derives from a per-passenger landing fee that was raised from $0.35 to $0.50 and funds local services such as constable details and solid waste costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576777,"DPW budget largely flat; drainage repairs, STIP road and equipment replacements highlighted",221,3893000,4114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1&start=3893&end=4114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1/thumbnail_3893000.jpg","/articles/6576777/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/DPW-budget-largely-flat-drainage-repairs-STIP-road-and-equipment-replacements-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576777-b93e7530a89405c81f2ac61ce1795ca6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166968&Signature=Kgpprmg3ynM~TSH0~gUKn~vBwHoDF8I-mKXAg2qkKou9suKf044HbTbhaCq98kvWqr~qoUkt3zk66islQLkdY-rFBEBShqgOr7aP5wCqCwAn~tKCCstIqSMeBkHkollPKIzcM2h07sn7v~qUvODH7T2qkKzUQcxrUh75EZgw36c3kejIhovn6Zy3vX42Cqb55-sHHUNJ26wPMFlXu5c1fS7HafeJ5HE8Rx8FdI-25nph-AT7jf39jo9xBwfx2SF3Posu2pvqjiuvaH4K1Lq1oWn1N1vqCwOgahscvDv7x-5iG6-6ueGvVQb4FSmONV6W1oyWMWT~XwwQV9YKvCFztw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Darren, speaking for the Department of Public Works, told the council the DPW operating budgets rose only modestly and are \"pretty much level funded,\" with about a 1.2% increase in operating lines overall.

Key capital and program points:
- Drainage pipe replacement: the DPW requested $100,000 to replace rotting steel drainage pipes; staff said that amount funds roughly 800 linear feet of pipe in typical conditions.
- Eastward Look and other localized drainage work are underway; the town has been performing in-house milling and paving when possible.
- South Pier Road: DPW staff said South Pier Road is a town road that connects two state arteries and has been placed on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). If a project is funded on the STIP, the state pays; the town has discussed a subrecipient agreement to manage work if necessary, but the state's preliminary funding numbers have not covered full reconstruction costs. \"It is a town road...it is on the STIP program,\" staff said, adding that earlier state proposals did not cover the town's full cost.
- ARPA/state match for larger road reconstruction: the council was told there is state ARPA funding that requires a local match (about 30–33%). Staff stressed the town must provide its committed match or risk returning awarded money.
- Pavement preservation: DPW described use of chip-seal, smaller aggregate and rejuvenator and fog seals to extend pavement life economically. Staff said this approach can give roads a smoother feel and extends useful life as a less costly alternative to full reconstruction.
- Equipment and vehicles: the department requested partial funding for a new street sweeper, a half-funded six-wheel dump/plow truck and other vehicle replacements as part of a multi-year replacement program. DPW also seeks a vacuum/\"factor\" truck (hydro excavation and basin cleaning). Officials noted the town has increased underbody anti-corrosion maintenance on its fleet (fluid film and a newer product) to extend vehicle life.

Councilors asked about recycling and staffing. Darren said recycling currently shows a -100% swing in the line item because a prior grant ended and the town now shares a recycling coordinator with South Kingstown; remaining balances are being expended from a separate recycling fund.

Several road reconstruction projects already under way were listed: portions of Pernagro and Great Island, Mollusk Island Road, Marine Drive, Elm and a segment of Old Point Judith Road near the country club. Staff said a public schedule is available on the town website for roads under construction.","Public Works operating budgets are essentially level-funded. Councilors heard updates on continued drainage pipe replacements, on-state STIP involvement for South Pier Road, and on vehicle/equipment replacement and anti-corrosion maintenance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576781,"Narragansett reports $5.87M in beach enterprise reserves; storm account separated",274,1927000,2201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1&start=1927&end=2201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1/thumbnail_1927000.jpg","/articles/6576781/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Narragansett-reports-587M-in-beach-enterprise-reserves-storm-account-separated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576781-f9ed0a576f15b03b295f9218f00b3595/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166968&Signature=CK0yU2nS8mrmjj7RLJ0UkHlWSPctIY~zNx0uxzYcZTYOCBOZ5hvWclxdoko8oLqyxCUQK8avGYIERu6iDvwDZzzZMTc4hqCk6SWC7mNCGXTiThFUMNPosY7PosuSgnr8HfJG14dWDKH3mdKt4O1K79YthWGyDi5TwTa4laecrPmqPnFj1qxIAAfotbrJZ6VbZTwaNN5lsFKLBFEqeg~mCp6wCtRW7GfICzseKS-dsvq2kYNn4rlUpcPaEwGgfsbmLRk5vb6Hx-DCFihG2b31ErkezSXLQsQISUDqRcw8uUzMll8ISchePsCL8XgsVCydsaYXBSRQLevizNoJh2XwoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michelle, speaking for beach operations, reported the completed audit and fund balance for the Beach Enterprise Fund. She said the unrestricted balance is $4,371,696 and that an additional $1,500,000 is held in a separate storm reserve account, which the town treats as distinct from the general operational balance. \"Therefore, the total unrestricted Enterprise Fund balance is... $5,871,000,\" she said.

Michelle emphasized the enterprise fund pays for all beach operations from user fees — daily admissions, parking, cabana rentals, lockers and other beach receipts — and that the beach returns about $500,000 annually to the town as a payment in lieu of taxes. She noted the department made no fee changes for the coming season: weekday parking remains $10 and weekends/holidays $15; resident passes and other fees were left unchanged.

On capital and maintenance:
- The north beach clubhouse roof replacement (NBC deck roof) and other building repairs have been funded from the enterprise balance; Michelle gave $260,000 as a recent example for roof work.
- Lifeguard and seasonal staffing remain significant line items: seasonal wages were shown at roughly $503,000 and full-time wages near $100,000 in the current budget.
- Sand nourishment: the town placed 2,000 cubic yards after last year's storms and the presenter said only modest sand purchase (an estimated 200 cubic yards) is likely this year given recent natural replenishment. The adopted multi-year sand budget is shown over six years at roughly $108,000.

Councilors asked about disaster exposure and insurance. Michelle said insurance and FEMA reimbursements support some rebuilding but rarely cover 100%: \"FEMA will only do up to 75%... a lot of the insurances won't cover dunes.\" The $1.5 million storm reserve was described as specifically earmarked for storm response and kept apart from routine enterprise funds.

Other items discussed:
- South and North pavilions and clubhouse upgrades are in multi-year capital planning; full renovation work would not be ready before this summer and would require design and bidding.
- An existing CRMC permit allows dune and sand work; the presenter said the town will continue daily sand management during the season.
- Benches and lockers: new benches purchased and in stock will be installed in May; the town reported 218 storage lockers at the beach, plus a separate waiting list for North Pavilion changing-room slots.

Michelle framed the fund balance as healthy relative to past storms and COVID-era revenue drops, but she warned a severe storm or catastrophic event could exhaust reserves. \"If we have a horrific Category 5, probably not, but knock on wood we're in a good place right now,\" she said.","Audit completed: the Beach Enterprise Fund holds $4.37 million unrestricted and a $1.5 million storm reserve. Town officials said beach operations are funded entirely by user fees and outlined planned maintenance, sand work and pavilion projects.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576786,"Narragansett Parks budget keeps services steady; pickleball courts eyed for $800K–$1.5M rebuild",775,187000,962000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1&start=187&end=962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047029-fbc5192f9076308a0fc15512b94b96e1/thumbnail_187000.jpg","/articles/6576786/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Narragansett-Parks-budget-keeps-services-steady-pickleball-courts-eyed-for-800K15M-rebuild","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576786-87af855efd31cc4e49aa9f92ac147f56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166968&Signature=AUYtNrdXD9p8b7LVcWU9ndY-2atuzgt3PN6HTA3xcmp4qA09qYguLNIvgDiUkW-xdjTprZMSw2xc1LGbdFRz0zIhVXDNINDbzIQHGLWXEC1-XBhZik1uTpgulDLlbfjZwQeXzLIxyAaDqZo7IcdlEs047RaJIh2onJCzes28DjSdAQI5MA5v1O7JweckqCp7Nogm25VQUroh0iAMcLIuUhqVIO-HKrteoYtf8OqPthJbiX0HvLRNEQFJ157GCQ-flPm~0mce66TJHz30EgDJAVHmgBA0Ik-nRNKOjdgv7wfPhmcQG92Gzlc8JLPRFfnr0hX0wYkwJER6NMoV3o4ohg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michelle, the town's Parks and Recreation director, told the council the department's operating lines are mostly level-funded, with a small dip in parks maintenance and a modest increase in recreation driven by higher costs for uniforms, field trips and supplies.

The department is proposing several capital projects for the coming years. The most notable is a reconstruction and modest expansion of the Clark Road pickleball courts: the plan would keep the same overall footprint, extend the court area about 17 feet on the east side to add two courts and replace the playing surface with post-tension concrete. \"It's the exact same footprint with a little bit of an extension towards the...east side,\" Michelle said. She estimated the town's in-house demolition and the full build-out, including fencing and painting, could be \"probably going to be upwards of $800,000 when all is said and done,\" and cautioned final costs will depend on competitive bids that could be higher.

Other Parks capital items described include:
- A new roof for the Parks and Recreation office, budgeted at about $50,000.
- Replacement of the North Community Center event-space floor and removal of damaged tiles.
- Completion of a black vinyl fence at George C. Park; Michelle said the quote received for that fencing appeared reasonable given the length of fence required.
- Phase 1 renovations at Dominic Cristoforo Park, already approved by council; Michelle said phase 1 should be completed by fall, weather permitting, and will replace three play structures.

Councilors asked about operations and logistics tied to the pickleball work. On parking, Michelle said overflow parking is designated at the top of the property around 170 Clark Road and that the town posts signs, but users sometimes do not drive to the designated overflow area. On materials she explained the town prefers post-tension concrete for longevity: \"That way we can get a 35 to 50 year lifespan.\" She also noted that while the project will be designed in-house and then go out to bid, the final contract award will follow standard procurement and take the low qualified bidder.

Councillors and staff also discussed program-level details: the town runs a seven-week summer camp (ages 5 to 12) at Clark Road that draws about 60–75 participants and generates roughly $83,000 in revenue in 2024 (so far $33,000 in the current fiscal year). Michelle said the camp fee structure is kept low and that the summer program uses seasonal staff and paid coaches for tennis and other activities. She reported Narragansett has four dedicated pickleball courts and additional courts that are tennis courts lined for pickleball use (\"4 in total...and a total of 14 in total pickleball courts, again, but those are lined on other courts\").

The council also heard that some previously planned projects (Park #5) were deferred in the current budget and left as placeholders for later phases. Michelle stressed weather and seasonality affect start dates: \"Phase 1, I would say by fall of this year. The only thing that really holds us back is the weather.\"","The town's Parks and Recreation operating funds are largely level-funded in the FY budget, while capital asks include an expansion and full reconstruction of the Clark Road pickleball courts, playground work at Dominic Cristoforo Park and fencing and roof repairs at other facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Narragansett finance staff: general fund picture stable but long-term choices loom on levy, debt and pensions

Galilee landing fee increases boosted fund to about $140,000; fee proceeds pay local services

DPW budget largely flat; drainage repairs, STIP road and equipment replacements highlighted

Narragansett reports $5.87M in beach enterprise reserves; storm account separated

Narragansett Parks budget keeps services steady; pickleball courts eyed for $800K–$1.5M rebuild