Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jamestown council urges state to let financial town meetings exceed 4% levy cap
Summary
After public comment both for and against changing the cap, the Jamestown Town Council passed a resolution asking the Rhode Island General Assembly to amend state law so a financial town meeting can approve a budget above the statutory 4% levy cap.
The Jamestown Town Council on a voice vote approved a resolution asking the Rhode Island General Assembly to amend state law so that a duly called financial town meeting may approve a municipal budget that exceeds the current 4% property tax levy cap.
The resolution, read aloud at the meeting, says the change would not itself raise taxes but would let Jamestown residents—who meet at a financial town meeting—decide whether to exceed the 4% cap. “It doesn't raise the levy or raise taxes. It just gives us the authority in town to make that decision by ourselves,” Councilor Eric said while explaining the proposal during the council discussion.
The resolution cites the cap’s effect during periods of high inflation and argues the restriction has forced towns to rely on bond financing or cuts. The text of the council’s resolution specifically asks the General Assembly to amend Rhode Island General Laws, section 44-5-2 (maximum levy), to allow communities that operate under a financial town meeting to approve a budget above 4% by majority vote at a properly called meeting.
Members of the public spoke both for and against changing the law during the meeting’s open forum. “I'm just here to speak in opposition to lifting the tax cap,” Ramona Messinger said during public comments, expressing concern about any change that might enable higher taxes. Other residents said they supported local control over budget choices.
Council discussion emphasized that passing the resolution would only request that the state change the statute; any future budget increase above 4% would still require voter approval at the town’s financial meeting. The council voted to send the resolution to the General Assembly and to the governor for consideration.
The council did not take a roll-call vote that listed individual votes in the public record at the moment the resolution passed; the motion was adopted by voice vote. The resolution is recorded as Town Council Resolution 2025-08 and will be forwarded to state officials.
