Warwick Mayor: No New Taxes, Reserves Stashed Away In FY22 Budget

WARWICK, RI — Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi has submitted his fiscal 2022 budget to the City Council.

The spending plan is bolstered by Federal American Rescue Plan resources of almost $39 million over two years. Picozzi says he decided to stash about $18 million into reserves, and pledged around $11 million for sewer, water, and broadband infrastructure.

Picozzi's $333.1 million spending plan represents a 2.95% increase over the current year. The budget does not propose an increase in the property tax rate, the mayor said in a news release.

Picozzi and the city's finance director plan to address the City Council on Monday, May 24 at 4 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast on the Zoom meeting platofrm.

Live in Warwick? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. You can also download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

The mayor’s office released the following list of budget highlights:

• Over $6 million to lease or purchase essential city vehicles and equipment for the fire, police, public works, recreation, and library departments.

• A commitment to occupy the Sawtooth Building in Apponaug to centralize city departments.

• A reserve to cover wage increases being negotiated with police and municipal workers, as well as a 2.75% increase for non-union employees who have not had a pay increase in over two years.

• The restoration of city employees laid off in May of 2020. Picozzi remarked that “city services have been crippled since that time” and vowed to restore services in various departments.

• Funding and commitment to a new fire academy class to reduce overtime in the Warwick Fire Department.

• A “maintenance of effort pledge” of city funds to the Warwick School Department despite an enrollment decline of 400 students. Picozzi said that state aid increases and school-dedicated American Rescue Funds will provide total resources “that are more than adequate for superior educational opportunities.”

The Mayor said that he “looks forward to the support of the Council and public for this prudent and responsible budget.”