Warwick council adopts FY2026 budget after tense debate over school funding and line-item shifts

The Warwick City Council approved the city's fiscal 2026 budget as amended following several hours of public comment and debate, voting 8-1 to adopt the resolution that sets tax rates and appropriations for the year.

The adopted budget includes a school department appropriation of $196,228,049 after an administration amendment adding $1,785,140, leaving a remaining gap of $1,934,011 between the council's allocation and the $198,162,060 the school department originally requested. The final vote on the budget resolution (PCR 66-25) was 8 in favor and 1 opposed.

Why it matters: The budget sets local tax rates for the coming fiscal year and funds schools, public safety and public works. Council debate focused on how and when to provide additional money to the school department, whether to hold funds in contingency pending the budget commission's review, and modest internal transfers to maintain services such as police night programs and asphalt/pothole work.

Most important facts

Councilman Lattice moved multiple line-item adjustments and led negotiations that produced several concessions and small transfers; the council accepted an omnibus administration amendment to correct and reallocate a series of departmental line items (police, fire, public works and schools). The omnibus amendment was approved earlier in the meeting by a 9-0 roll call.

Councilman Ricks moved an amendment to transfer $55,000 from the Board of Canvassers election account (line item 17-495) into two uses: $45,000 to the…