Proposed 2015 Budget would Hike Taxes 2.95 Percent

North Kingstown taxpayers could be looking at a 2.95 percent tax increase in the next fiscal year.

The town's proposed budget for fiscal 2015 is released and it now heads to the Town Council for budget hearings beginning later this month.

The proposed budget calls for a tax levy of $72.1 million - a $2.1 million increase over last years budget. It would push the tax rate up to $19.08 per $1,000 of assessed value. The current rate is $18.80 per $1,000.

Preliminary budget documents show most town departments seeing a decrease in their annual budget, ranging from a reduction of just $86 for the Town Manager's budget to a $255,904 reduction for the fire department. 

The budget proposes increasing the school's appropriation by $1.04 million to $59.4 million and along with increases to the police, board of canvassers, water, public works and general operating funds, significant reductions in most departments are wiped out.

In a notice of the proposed tax rate change, Town Council President Elizabeth S. Dolan said the property tax levy also includes motor vehicles at an unchanged tax rate of $22.04 per $1,000 of assessed value and "assumes the continuation of the state phase-out exemption on the first $500 of of vehicle assessments plus an additional $2,500 self-imposed exemption, for a total $3,000 exemption."

The budget will be adopted on May 7 at the Town Council's regular meeting at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room, 80 Boston Neck Road. 

Before that vote, the council will hold two public hearings on the budget. On April 14 at 6 p.m., the council will review all funds except the school and capital reserve funds. At 7:30 p.m., the council will review the school and capital reserve funds.

Both of those hearings will be held at the Beachwood Senior Center at 44 Beach Street.

A copy of the proposed budget breakdown is attached to this article.