West Warwick council sends $131,905,134 FY2027 budget to May 12 final vote; approves appointments and several municipal measures

The West Warwick Town Council on April 7 moved the town—s FY2027 municipal budget to a May 12 final vote, approved several appointments and passed a set of routine municipal measures including equipment purchases for rescue services.

Town manager (presenting the budget) said the proposed total increase is "slightly more than $6,500,000," with roughly $4,600,000 in municipal expenses and about $1,900,000 in school-related state aid and pass-through appropriations. He said the budget reflects the initial debt service for the voter-approved $71,000,000 school building bond and a proposed levy increase of about 3.98 percent (approximately $2,800,000).

"Our total proposed budget increase is slightly more than $6,500,000," the town manager said as he walked through pension ARC increases, health-care rate changes and a planned use of $1,500,000 from the town—s fund balance (including $1,000,000 for anticipated litigation and $500,000 for increased school local appropriations).

A councilor moved to transmit the budget to the May 12 meeting for final vote with an advertised total appropriation of $131,905,134. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Votes and other actions taken that night included:

Votes at a glance

- Motion to send FY2027 budget to May 12 (advertised appropriation: $131,905,134): motion made by a councilor and seconded; voice vote declared carried. (Transcript recorded an "Aye" response; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.)

- Civic Center ice rink budget formatting: council accepted staff—s proposed revenue-line changes (marketing reduced $25,000 to $10,000; vending from $18,000 to $15,000; miscellaneous added $18,000). Motion passed by voice vote.

- Ordinance 2026-2: first reading to reorganize zoning code sections and consolidate overlay districts; council discussion explained the intent to put overlay language in a single section for ease of use. (First reading; final adoption requires subsequent action.)

- Appointments and reappointments: council approved appointments including Glenn Turley to the school committee to fill a Ward 1 vacancy through November 2026 and approved other committee appointments and reappointments discussed during the meeting.

- Resolution to release an improvement guarantee and convert to a 10% maintenance bond for one year (bond amounts identified in the transcript): the council approved the release and maintenance-bond arrangement after planning-board recommendation.

- Purchase of rescue equipment: council approved buying an automated compression system and a cardiac monitor/defibrillator for a rescue truck entering service July 1; the presenter cited internal resuscitation data (34 resuscitations, 11 returns of spontaneous circulation) and said funds come from the rescue recovery fund.

- Contract renewal: records-management vendor contract renewed with a small per-document increase; staff said the cost can be absorbed in the budget.

Other routine items approved included business licenses, reimbursements (e.g., $281.90 to Thomas Oates), Narragans Electric installation on Mould Street and various committee appointments. The council also announced upcoming meetings and moved into executive session at the end of the public session.

What—s next: The budget will be considered at a special council meeting or budget vote on May 12, where councilors are expected to take a final vote on the FY2027 appropriation.

Sources: Town manager—s budget presentation and council voice votes recorded at the April 7 West Warwick Town Council meeting.