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Cumberland council adopts 2027 general fund budget after rejecting 5% levy amendment
Summary
The Cumberland Town Council approved Ordinance 26-12a, the towns general fund operating budget for fiscal year 2027, by a 5-2 vote after rejecting an amendment to raise the assumed tax levy from 4% to 5%. Councilors also adjusted a food pantry line and heard public comments on school funding and severance costs.
The Cumberland Town Council voted 5-2 on June 3 to adopt Ordinance 26-12a, the towns general fund operating budget for fiscal year 2027, after rejecting an amendment that would have raised the assumed property tax levy from 4% to 5%.
Mayor Mara told the council the revenue side of the amendment reflects the most recent House Finance Committee numbers and the mayors proposal aims to reduce reliance on one-time fund balances while directing additional revenue to the school department and an "essentials" program. "Most of that ... is on the school department side with the proposed additional contribution," the mayor said.
A council member who proposed the 5% amendment argued the higher levy would reduce the towns dependence on one-time revenue and close structural deficits. "I'm going to make, I'm gonna ask that we amend the budget for a 5% tax levy," the member said, saying the change would push the town further toward a structurally balanced budget. The motion to amend was moved, seconded and taken to roll call; the chair announced the amendment failed by a 4-3 count.
During the hearing the council and mayor read and discussed line-item changes in the ordinance. The chair read proposed revenue amendments including property-tax estimates and adjustments to the revenue stabilization fund; the budget text as presented listed a total general fund of $129,998,820 for 2027 with a proposed net change of roughly $483,009. The mayor and staff walked the council through increases for the library ($6,000), the planning department ($10,000) and multiple school-related line items that together represent the majority of the budgetary increase.
School committee member Carrie Smith addressed the council during public comment and urged the body to do more for the schools, saying the committee had requested $2 million to restore prior cuts and asked why an $890,000 master lease was not included in this budget. "We really have to start and look at this," Smith said, noting classroom-size and program cuts she says will persist despite the increase. The mayor responded that the master lease is not in this document and would be presented separately if pursued, and that its inclusion would increase the levy beyond the mayors current 4% assumption.
Other public speakers included library trustee Celeste Dyer, who thanked the council for support of library staffing, and resident Robert Dunes, who asked about a larger severance line; the mayor said the severance funding mainly reflects police and EMS retirement payouts and was pulled out of department budgets for transparency.
The council accepted a text amendment to change a line from "Northern Rhode Island Food Pantry" to "food pantries" to reflect multiple organizations; that textual change passed by voice vote. Final roll call for Ordinance 26-12a recorded five votes in favor and two opposed, with councilors Bradley and McGill voting no.
The council closed the public hearing on the general fund at 8:07 p.m. and moved on to other fund budgets and routine business.
