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Town manager presents FY2026 preliminary budget calling for 3.43% overall increase
Summary
Town Manager Ralph submitted a preliminary fiscal year 2026 budget with a 3.43% overall increase, projected tax-rate decreases after revaluation, and funding priorities for roads, technology, senior services and school debt.
Town Manager Ralph submitted the Town of North Kingstown’s preliminary budget for fiscal year 2026 at the March 10 council meeting, describing it as a “0‑based budgeting process” and saying the administration will bring the document forward for council deliberations in scheduled budget sessions.
Ralph said the overall FY2026 budget represents a 3.43% increase over the prior year and itemized major line items: a 3.4% municipal spending increase, a 3.4% increase to the town appropriation for the school department, a 9.6% rise in Quonset Development Corporation MSA expenses, a 33.6% increase in the library budget, and an 11.25% increase in debt service. "The fiscal year 2026 budget calls for an overall increase of 3.43% over last year's budget," he said.
The manager highlighted several priorities funded in the proposal: $750,000 annually for road paving, an 11% increase in technology spending to address equipment replacement and cybersecurity, an expansion of senior and human services (a 6.4% increase), investments in recreation programs and enterprise funds, initial funding for school and public‑safety projects, and continued support for the town’s marina, golf course and sewer operations. He also noted the town’s surplus growth from about $7.5 million in 2017 to roughly $18.2 million in 2024 and said the fund balance will be used to time financing of upcoming bond projects.
On taxes and revaluation: Ralph projected the residential rate could fall from $14.34 to $11.05 and the commercial rate from $16.28 to $14.79 after the state‑mandated statistical revaluation, and he said homestead exemptions could yield effective rates as low as $10.50 for eligible homeowners. He cautioned those figures are preliminary and may change during council deliberations.
Process and next steps: The council will hold budget sessions on March 18 to review departmental requests and is scheduled to adopt a preliminary budget followed by a public hearing on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. Ralph encouraged residents to review the online budget document and attend upcoming hearings.
