North Kingstown adopts preliminary FY26 budget after daylong workshop; schools and libraries draw scrutiny

North Kingstown — The Town Council on March 18 approved a package of preliminary FY26 budget measures after a full day of department presentations and public discussion, voting to advance the town’s general fund, enterprise fund and school appropriation for further public review.

Town Manager Ralph opened the workshop with an overview of the budget book and the process, saying the manager’s proposal keeps department requests trimmed “to bring it down to as cost efficient a manner as possible” and highlighting the town’s effort to avoid a tax increase next year while proposing residential and commercial tax rates of 11.05 and 14.79, respectively, as working targets. He told the council the proposed school appropriation is up 3.4 percent while the manager trimmed the school department request by $110,245 on a roughly $70 million school budget.

Why it matters: Councilmembers used the workshop to press departments on long‑term costs and tradeoffs ahead of a final vote. Several conversations focused on items that could change the town’s medium‑term fiscal picture — school staffing that migrated from one‑time federal ESSER grants into the operating budget, the risk that state library hour requirements could force two small, independent libraries (Davisville and Willett) to change how they operate, and whether enterprise funds such as the transfer station and sewer require user‑fee increases.

School funding, staffing and redistricting Superintendent Duva presented the school department’s $83.2 million operating request, of which $63.6 million is the town appropriation (a 3.58 percent increase). The budget uses $400,000 of investment earnings and a $500,000 re‑appropriation from the district’s fund balance to reduce the town ask. The superintendent and the school finance director told the council they removed some planned operating purchases and shifted technology, bus camera and other items into capital to lower the operating total.

Council scrutiny centered on two related issues: (1) positions that had been funded temporarily by ESSER pandemic grants and later absorbed into the operating budget — interventionists, social workers and a multilingual teacher — and (2) an equity/belonging/community engagement coordinator role the district plans to fund going forward. School leaders said the intervention and special‑education positions are required to meet student needs; on the equity position they said they re‑scoped the job and consulted RIDE, which indicated the district would not lose federal funds so long as programs are nondiscriminatory.

Redistricting is ongoing. The district described the advisory committee’s work as data‑driven and iterative; it plans additional public meetings and will post draft scenarios and the committee timeline on its website before the final budget public hearing.

Police, fire and public safety Police Chief John Urban described a budget that sustains a 57‑officer authorized strength, highlighted funding for community policing and training, and explained a contract change that reduces the insurance “buyback” for future hires but leaves a grandfathered benefit for incumbents in FY25. The council and chief discussed rising calls for service tied in part to more mental‑health responses.

Interim Fire Chief John Lisonbee presented a 4.79 percent departmental increase — driven by training, expanded medical screening and vehicle maintenance — and warned that regional recruiting pressures and retirements push overtime and replacement costs upward. The chief said rescue‑billing revenue helps fund some vehicle and equipment purchases.

Libraries and civic contributions Council members urged the administration to help two small independent libraries after the state library board recommended new minimum hours (proposed at 35, later discussed at 30). Library director Megan told the council the FY26 request is modest and focuses on staff salaries and a part‑time outreach coordinator; she and council members said they would invite Davisville and Willett leaders to explain staffing and financial needs ahead of the April public hearing. The town manager said civic contribution policy and restricted town funds provide some flexibility, but any increase affects the tax rate unless offset elsewhere.

Enterprise funds and infrastructure Public Works Director Adam outlined four related budgets (administration, engineering, highway, facilities), a $750,000 paving allocation and the town’s practice of maintaining restricted capital reserves for predictable, one‑time projects. He raised a caution about the transfer station and sewer funds: both operate as user‑fee enterprises, have narrow margins and face near‑term capital needs. The manager and staff said they preferred to keep the facilities as enterprise funds for now, but they will monitor structural deficits and may propose fee adjustments or other measures if deficits persist.

Water and PFAS Water Director Alan reported work to prioritize failing mains in Post Road and Poplar Point, detailed recent hydrant replacements and said the town is evaluating options for PFAS removal. He estimated a standalone PFAS treatment plant could cost in the low‑tens of millions (roughly $12–15 million) and said the town is exploring partnerships, grants and litigation recoveries as partial funding sources.

Technology and security The town’s IT director explained a one‑time infrastructure push to replace aging networking equipment, move to subscription licensing, complete pen testing and microsegment the network for cyber‑insurance requirements. The manager said several camera and security upgrades are being pursued with grant support; if grants fail the council would consider restricted surplus funding.

Budget actions taken After the presentations and public discussion the council voted a series of preliminary budget approvals (motions recorded in the meeting): municipal general fund, debt service, Allen Harbor, golf course, water, sewer, transfer station, library appropriations, restricted state aid for libraries, and the school appropriation. The school appropriation passed on roll call 4–1 (Councilor Hill Ross opposed). Those motions advance the budgets for the April public hearing and further review.

What happens next The council will hold a public hearing on the budget on April 21 and may revisit line items based on testimony and updated revenue figures. Final adoption occurs after the public hearing cycle. The town manager and department heads said they will continue to supply clarifying documents and to work with the council on timing for borrowing related to public‑safety and school capital projects.

Representative quotes "This is a budget that we're very proud of," Town Manager Ralph said of the line‑item booklet, adding that the manager had reduced requests "to bring it down to as cost efficient a manner as possible." "We have to make sure libraries stay open," Council President said about Davisville and Willett after members described state proposals for minimum hours. "We are at our capacity for 57," Police Chief John Urban said of authorized staffing. "The 2 main things we're looking into now are treating PFAS ourselves or partnering on treatment," Water Director Alan said, noting preliminary $12–15 million cost estimates.

Ending The council advanced the town’s preliminary FY26 budgets for public comment and scheduled additional meetings for follow‑up data and decisions. Several items raised at the workshop — the school staffing mix after ESSER, library hour regulations, transfer station and sewer fund health, and PFAS treatment options — were flagged for closer review before final adoption.