Mayor Scott Avedisian has proposed a $298.7-million budget that would increase municipal spending 1.09 percent and raise an additional $4.7 million in property taxes.
As the city is in the process …
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Mayor Scott Avedisian has proposed a $298.7-million budget that would increase municipal spending 1.09 percent and raise an additional $4.7 million in property taxes.
As the city is in the process of completing a revaluation, which has boosted the overall value of residential and commercial properties, the budget as proposed would result in a reduction of the tax rate. The proposed residential rate is $20.24 per $1,000 of valuation, a drop of 51 cents.
Each property will vary, but one valued at $200,000 before the revaluation is taxed $4,152 for the year ending June 30. If the property increased in value by 7 percent – the average residential value increase – that same property would be worth $214,000 today. At the administration’s proposed tax rate, the tax bill for the coming fiscal year would be $4,331, an increase of $179.
Other rates proposed by the mayor are $30.36 for commercial, down 77 cents, and $40.48 for tangible, down $1.02. The motor vehicle tax of $34.60 per $1,000 of valuation remains unchanged. The city provides a $1,500 exemption in addition to the $500 value exemption set by the state.
“While I wish it could be even larger,” Avedisian said of decreases in the tax rates. “This is what it bears out to be.”
In a six-page budget message, Avedisian shines the spotlight on positive developments, from the Apponaug Circulator and how that will improve the flow of village traffic to new and proposed developments and improvements at Green Airport. The message reads like a promotional brochure, chronicling proposed developments that are on the drawing boards such as a medical facility and office buildings at the Crowne Plaza and what that will mean in new jobs to the work already started on Pontiac Mills as it is re-purposed.
In a press release, Avedisian points out that his budget leaves intact the motor vehicle exemption and financial support for local non-profit and civic groups. He also notes that the budget would begin the process of funding Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB).
“While the mechanics still need to be assembled and approved by the council, this budget will begin the process of creating a fund for retiree benefits in the future. A total of $50,000 is allocated in this year’s budget to begin the process of establishing an OPEB fund,” reads the release.
Avedisian also proposes $140,000 to implement an inventory control system.
Unlike the current budget and many of those in recent times, Avedisian does not call on a drawn-down in city reserves, now at $8.2 million, to balance the budget. The current budget calls on a $3 million draw-down, which, in effect, is a structural deficit going into the new year as that money must be raised just to stay even with current spending.
Avedisian characterized the budget as a “level-funded” program. Schools are budgeted at $161.1 million as compared to $159.5 million in the current year.
The difference, explained the mayor, reflects an increase in state funding. Municipal funding would be unchanged at $137 million.
In addition to increased property tax revenues, the mayor is looking for nearly an additional $2 million in state aid for a total of $44 million; a bump of about $300,000 in licenses and fees reflective of an improving economy; and an increased transfer in enterprise funds – Sewer Authority repayment of debt paid through the general fund – of $2.6 million, about a $400,000 increase. Federal aid is projected at $2.3 million, a drop of about $500,000 from the current year.
On the expenditure side of the ledger, there are department increases across the board with the exception of employee benefits at $26 million, a decrease of about $1 million, and fixed costs that went from $665,000 to $479,600. Avedisian explained that health care costs are down as a result of a new contract, and that without contract negotiations, fixed costs have been cut.
“Everyone worked very hard,” Avedisian said of department directors and those compiling the budget. He said he is hopeful of further reducing the city’s indebtedness, which he said is low compared to other municipalities, with the sale of surplus school buildings expected to take place with the consolidation of secondary schools.
City Council budget hearings are slated to start Saturday, May 21, at 9 a.m. The hearing will close at 2 p.m. and resume Monday, May 23, at 5 p.m.
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Reality
Another smoke and mirrors budget by Scottie. Taxes keep going up and yet the school budget is level funded again. Wow...what does that tell us. Guess we have to increase taxes to pay for the 100K pension the fire chief just got. The city side percentage of tax revenues continues to increase.....in the near future the city expenditures will surpass that of the schools.
An $ 8 million rainy day fund.....horrible.....Cranston has $20 million in their rainy day fund. Scottie has placed us on the path of bankruptcy. $600 million is unfunded liabilities......Scottie is going to address the healthcare fiasco by putting aside $50k. The obligation is $360 million....Bernie Madoff would be proud.
Where has the city council been....Wilkinson, Travis and Ladosceur have been at school dept hearing while their obligation to the city side of the budget is ignored. These 3 have violated their fiduciary responsibility to their Wards.
It's time that Scottie, Wilkinson, Travis and Ladosceur are voted out of office.
Friday, May 13, 2016 Report this
howdydoody
I wish you teachers would just shut up and do what Scott and Phil want.
Lets see how the Scottie Values his employees
Firemen 3% , 3% , 3% He’s afraid of them so he also puts extra money in the pension fund
Police 3%, 3%, 3% He’s afraid of them he gives them a $4,000 health savings account wink wink.
Trash men 3%, 3% ,3% He’s afraid of those men too. He also changes no language in the contract.
Looks like another 0% for you teachers
Teachers the mayor laughs at you because you are a bunch of women and geldings. He offers you 0%,0%,0% because he knows you will do what’s best for the kids.
Sunday, May 15, 2016 Report this
Bluestone
Avedesian thinks school consolidation is going to work and save money? He thinks the professionals in the school administration aren't going to embarrass him and cost the city millions?
NEWSFLASH
Director of Secondary Education Steven Ruscito has just been suspended for sexual misconduct.
THIS IS THE GUY WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE MASTERMINDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSOLIDATION!!!!
Scott, this consolidation is going to hell in a handbasket.
These are your "leaders."
- the director of special ed is under investigation for willfully violating federal IEP laws.
-The director of Secondary Education is now suspended for doing something sexually icky.
-The new director of Human Resources is directly connected to the law firm that is getting paid big bucks to represent the district.
-the Superintendent of schools is busy illegally violating the WTU contract. The Rhode Island Labor Relations Board has already ruled (again!) that the contract stays in effect until a new contract is reached. A contract is legally binding, and you can't change it just because you want to. Adults acknowledge reality and deal with it- contracts are negotiated.
Scott,
You have a full-scale disaster going on in the school department. Everybody knows it, but Phil Thornton and his administration are going to pretend to the very end that they have it all under control.
They don't.
Ask them to present real evidence of what they have actually completed in this consolidation process. The true answer will shock you, considering their plans to tear apart and completely reorganize the school district between now and the end of August.
They have no idea how to do this. They have nothing real done. The emperor has no clothes.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016 Report this