New Shoreham adopts $20.14 million FY2026 budget; town approves multiple fiscal measures

New Shoreham voters at the town’s May 5 financial town meeting adopted a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget totaling $20,142,758 and approved a package of related fiscal measures, including capital project funding and authorizations for borrowing and debt management.

Town staff presented highlights of the proposed budget, saying the packet before voters shows a 4.4% overall increase over the current year and a recommended tax-levy increase of 3.86%, which the presenters noted is below the 4% cap established by state law. The packet identifies $20,142,758 in total expenditures for fiscal year 2026 and estimates roughly $95,000 in revenue from the town’s short-term rental program for the year.

The budget discussion identified several notable items: an increased contingency and ongoing work to replace a municipal alarm system damaged by lightning (the town expects some insurance reimbursement); a new, separately budgeted human services department (second year reflected as a department in the packet); a Mansion Beach maintenance line for seasonal restroom cleaning and pump-out; and continued costs tied to contractual wage and benefit increases. Capital items singled out in the presentation included a first-year $50,000 allocation for harbor dredging planning and permitting and an elevator replacement for the public library that the presentation lists on the capital plan (the recommended funding shown in the packet was $110,000 for the elevator portion, with $185,000 originally requested).

Voters also approved the town’s capital and debt-service recommendations, including $3,807,227 for debt service and a capital program that begins a two-year Inner New Harbor dredging project and funds the start of the town’s comprehensive plan 10-year update. The meeting record shows approval motions carried on department budget sums (administration, finance, public works, police, dispatch, schools, library, recreation and others) as presented in the packet.

The meeting included a slate of routine fiscal authorizations commonly taken at town financial meetings: authority for the town treasurer (with council consent) to borrow in anticipation of taxes; to issue refunding bonds if savings result; to place and move town investments and bank accounts; and to issue notes in anticipation of water and sewer revenues under Rhode Island law. The meeting also ratified and confirmed certain overexpenditures in FY2025 (within limits) and authorized continuation and expenditure of awarded grant funds beyond amounts originally budgeted if grant proceeds exceed budgeted amounts.

Votes at a glance - Adopt FY2026 total expenditures of $20,142,758 — motion carried (voice vote) - Approve tax levy language and collection schedule (resolution authorizing assessment and collection of taxes for FY2026 up to amounts certified) — motion carried (voice vote; resolution read by town clerk and adopted) - Approve capital plan items highlighted (including $50,000 year‑one harbor dredging planning) — motion carried - Approve department budget sums (administration $1,773,004; finance $589,294; central dispatch $524,291; police $1,431,543; public works $1,466,081; school support $5,877,667; others as in packet) — motions carried - Approve debt service appropriation $3,807,227 — motion carried - Authorize borrowing in anticipation of taxes and issue of notes for water and sewer charges under applicable Rhode Island statutes — motions carried

Why it matters: The adopted FY2026 budget sets spending and the tax levy framework for New Shoreham for the year beginning July 1, 2025. The package funds ongoing town operations, capital maintenance projects and the start of multi-year capital efforts such as harbor dredging and the comprehensive plan update. Several line items (short-term rental revenue, municipal alarm replacement, library elevator, and human services) will affect near-term departmental operations and capital planning.

Meeting context: The budget presentation spanned multiple department sections in the packet; the town manager and finance staff walked voters through the packet and answered questions about specific capital items and department changes. Several motions to approve departmental sums were made and carried by voice vote; many department motions had minimal discussion and were approved in sequence.