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 police night program (line item 30-140) and $10,000 to Public Works highway asphalt (line item 63290). That amendment passed on a roll call. Separately, the council shifted $20,000 from a public-works utilities line into the asphalt account to increase funds for crack seal and pothole work.

The mayor's amendment increased the school appropriation by $1,785,140; the council debated whether to place that money directly in the schools' budget or hold it in a finance contingency pending the work of a recently formed budget review commission. Councilman Lattice proposed moving the funds to contingency but withdrew that effort after debate and that motion failed on a roll call.

Public comment and council discussion

Rob Cody, Ward 7, opened public remarks with pointed criticism of city finances: "I'm disgusted with the way the city runs its finances. It's deplorable," he told the council, adding later that he believed the city had grown "unsustainable" spending and cited a claimed $60,400,000 increase in spending over the last five years.

Robert Cushman, Ward 1 and a former councilman, echoed concerns about long-term spending trends and told the council his five-year analysis showed a $60,400,000 increase in spending that he said could lead to credit-rating pressure.

Darlene Netco, Ward 7 and president of the Warwick Teachers Union, defended school staffing and services and described historical underfunding: "The schools are the future," she said, arguing that reductions in classroom teachers and supports would harm students and that many positions (nurses, social workers, psychologists) are required by student needs and IEPs.

Jim Gianolfi, a commenter who addressed the council, urged cooperation between city and school leaders and noted the mayor had added roughly $1.7 million to the schools in the proposed budget.

Council debate centered on fiscal prudence and public-safety and infrastructure priorities. Supporters of the transfers argued the $45,000 for the police night program represents a very small share of the total budget but delivers targeted traffic-enforcement benefits; opponents warned against moving funds that might be needed for elections or other statutory obligations.

Formal actions and votes

- Motion to approve transfers/supplemental appropriations (PCR 65-25): passed (roll-call recorded as 9 yes).

- Omnibus administration amendment correcting and reallocating line items (police radios, fire salaries/overtime, public works and other adjustments): moved by the administration, accepted by the council and passed on roll call (9 yes as amended).

- Council amendment reallocating $55,000 from Board of Canvassers election expense to police night program ($45,000) and Public Works asphalt ($10,000): moved by Councilman Ricks and seconded by Councilman Lattice; passed on roll call.

- Amendment proposed to move $1,785,140 for schools into a finance contingency pending the budget commission's work: debated at length and defeated on roll call (majority opposed).

- Final motion to adopt the FY2026 budget and tax-rate resolution (PCR 66-25) as amended: moved and seconded; passed 8-1 (one council member recorded as "No").

Budget details and clarifications

The solicitor recorded the school appropriation before the final vote as $196,228,049; the school department had requested $198,162,060, leaving a gap the solicitor calculated as $1,934,011. The mayor's amendment narrowed, but did not eliminate, that gap. Finance staff told the council the city's healthcare reserve will be approximately $2.02 million at the end of FY2026 after a $1.25 million drawdown included in the budget; the finance director reported an estimated remaining health-care-related liability of roughly $1,479,787 that will factor into future budgets.

Background and next steps

Council members said they intend to monitor the school department's budget and to work with the budget review commission to reconcile outstanding questions about FICA, health-care returns and certain software contracts discussed during the hearings. The council's approval of the FY2026 budget establishes funding and tax rates for the coming year; council members also noted the potential for a supplemental appropriation if the budget commission later identifies validated shortfalls.

Ending

Council members and the administration signaled continued cooperation in implementation and oversight. Several council members urged continued attention to long-term liabilities and contract negotiations that they said are driving future budget pressure.