Smithfield, Rhode Island Development News

Town Council Adopts Fiscal Year 2027 Budget with Amendments

The Town Council considered and adopted the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which included amendments recommended by the Budget and Financial Review Board. The budget process involved several adjustments due to new state revenue, ratified collective bargaining agreements, and additional revenue received after the board's presentation. The council discussed the need for efficient resource allocation and the impact on the tax bill, aiming for a balanced budget without drawing from the fund balance. Several departmental budgets were adjusted, including increases for fire and police departments, IT, town manager, libraries, and town-aided programs, while other areas saw reductions or reallocation of funds. Conditions were placed on library funding requiring financial statements.