Glocester council adopts FY2025-26 budget, approves three ballot questions for May 20 financial referendum

The Glocester Town Council voted to adopt the town—iscal year 2025-26 budget as amended and approved three ballot questions to appear on the financial town referendum (FTR) scheduled for May 20, 2025.

A councilor moved to adopt the FY2025-26 budget as amended from the public hearing on April 21; the motion was seconded and carried with the council voting in favor. The council then approved three ballot questions to place before voters: 1) a general appropriation for FY2025-26 totaling $34,567,688 with a property tax levy estimated between $26,979,649 and $27,019,649 (motor vehicle taxes excluded); 2) an appropriation of $75,000 from surplus to match a grant for renovation of Windsor Park recreation area (said grant, if received, would not increase the tax amount to be raised); and 3) a reappropriation of $151,000 from the school capital improvement fund to the local school fund balance for the anticipated FY2024-25 school budget deficit (this reappropriation was stated not to increase the tax amount to be raised or affect maintenance-of-effort requirements).

During discussion before the vote, one councilor raised concerns about the school budget shortfall and asked whether the town could legally exceed the levy cap to address the schools—needs. The Finance Director reported that they had consulted the State Municipal Finance office and the Auditor General—s office and were advised that the circumstances described by the council did not meet the state—s definition of an emergency that would allow exceeding the cap (examples cited included destruction of a building by fire or flood, court-ordered judgments, or sudden demographic shifts). The Finance Director told the council the situation described would not qualify as such an emergency.

The council noted four changes made since the public hearing: an adjustment for increased health benefits costs; a $10,000 reduction to the Department of Public Works salt line item; increases in the building/zoning and planning department clerical budgets to reflect a position reclassification; and conversion of two senior clerk positions to two administrative aide positions. The finance director indicated the approved budget represented roughly a 3.9 percent change and said Municipal Finance reports figures out to five decimal places.

Council procedures were followed to place the three ballot questions on the May 20 FTR. Question 1 covers the town—s total appropriation of $34,567,688 and the property tax levy range; Question 2 approves appropriation of $75,000 from surplus for a grant match for Windsor Park renovations (contingent on receipt of the grant); and Question 3 reappropriates $151,000 from the school capital improvement fund to cover an anticipated school deficit for FY2024-25, with officials noting this would not raise taxes or change future maintenance-of-effort calculations.

After the votes, a councilor urged residents to support the budget in the referendum, warning that a failure to pass it could lead to further cuts. The meeting concluded with the council adjourning following a motion and second.