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Council opens first public hearing on 2026–27 budget as Finance director outlines tax and capital plans
Summary
At a March 16 council meeting the town held the first public hearing on the proposed 2026–27 budget. Finance Director Christine Wilson said the general fund budget rises about 5.13% to $77.5 million, proposed tax rates would increase modestly and $8 million in borrowing is planned for roads, town hall work and a $500,000 affordable-housing allocation.
The Naragansett Town Council opened the first public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget on March 16, receiving a detailed presentation from Finance Director Christine Wilson and public comment from residents.
Wilson said the proposed general fund budget is approximately $77.5 million, an increase of about 5.13% over the prior year, driven largely by higher compensation, healthcare and pension costs. She reported the town’s unassigned fund balance was 23.8% (as of the most recent audit) and said the proposed residential tax rate would be $6.96 per $1,000; commercial property would be $9.39 per $1,000. Wilson described that the proposal uses roughly $2.3 million of fund balance if needed to balance the budget, and that the town is planning to issue roughly $8 million in debt by June 30, 2026 — about $5 million for roads and storm drains and $3 million to continue town-hall infrastructure work — with an estimated $500,000 set aside for affordable-housing projects.
The council moved and passed a motion 5–0 to open the hearing and accept public testimony. Speakers during the hearing repeatedly asked for more detail about enforcement of recently enacted ordinances, and several residents urged the council to provide more public reporting during the coming budget-workshop series: the council scheduled workshops next week (March 24–26) before a second public hearing on April 20 and final adoption ahead of June 1.
Wilson said most of the proposed year‑over‑year growth is in compensation and transfers, and that capital project requests exceed available funding; she told the council the town manager had already trimmed capital requests by roughly $3.4 million from department requests. Wilson also noted assumptions in the plan: projected state aid, a possible $8 million bond sale, and an increase in medical/dental costs. The capital plan presented included continued funding for roads, DPW facilities and $500,000 for housing acquisition. She committed to provide line‑by‑line backup for councilors during the work sessions and to estimate soft costs for borrowing when requested.
Why it matters: The budget lays out the town’s choices for services, infrastructure and reserves for the coming year. The presentation balances rising personnel costs and capital needs against the council’s stated priority of maintaining healthy reserves and funding targeted housing and infrastructure projects.
Next steps: The council will hold budget workshops March 24–26, convene a second public hearing April 20, and consider adoption of the capital improvement plan on May 18 and final budget adoption on June 1. The public may provide comments at the scheduled work sessions and the second public hearing.
