South Kingstown Seeks State Authorization to Enact Homestead Exemption; Council Approves Resolution

The South Kingstown Town Council voted Dec. 9 to ask the town's General Assembly delegation to introduce enabling legislation to permit the town to adopt a homestead-exemption ordinance. The resolution authorizes staff to seek state-level authority; any local ordinance would still require public hearings and a council vote.

Mike Cursillo, presenting the resolution, said the proposed enabling language follows a model used in nearby communities and noted two statutory constraints: the exemption must be capped at 10% of assessed value and is limited to residential property with fewer than five units. "If you have a $400,000 house, the amount of the exemption could be no more than $40,000 of that assessment," Cursillo said, explaining the statutory cap.

Town finance staff told the council the tax levy is about $76 million and roughly 95% of that levy is fixed costs, leaving limited wiggle room to offset exemptions. Staff recommended the town gather data—owner-occupancy counts, rental prevalence and other indicators—so that the council can design an exemption that meets town objectives without shifting undue burden to other taxpayers.

Council members emphasized the need for local work sessions and public hearings before any final ordinance is drafted, and several members said they do not want offsets to increase commercial-tax burdens. The council approved the resolution to request enabling legislation; if the legislature adopts it, the town will begin local hearings to define eligibility, caps, and fiscal impacts.