Proposed Cuts Would Nix Eight Firefighters, Cut School Budget

New cuts to lower North Kingstown taxes in the upcoming budget would eliminate eight firefighters and one police officer, pull $280,000 from the pension liability fund and reduce the school department's budget by nearly $700,000.

The $1.89 million would bring next year’s property taxes closer to this year's rate and keep , but would eliminate eight firefighters. The fire department, the municipal department hit hardest by the proposed cuts, would stand to lose $602,000 — seven percent of its $8.3 million budget. Town Manager Michael Embury noted that, pending the decision of the firefighters’ contract arbitration which he expects in June, these cuts may be subject to change.

The town would also seek a $713,000 cut from the school’s $58-million budget, a more than one percent decrease. Another proposed cut would be $280,000 eliminated from OPEB (other post-employment benefits), which drew concern and disapproval from multiple council members.

“We’re deferring an obligation that’s going to have to be paid for at some point,” said Councilman Charles Stamm.

Echoing his concerns, Council President Elizabeth Dolan said, “I’m concerned about cutting it for the sake of cutting it out. It’s a current obligation that we have to do.”

Another area of concern for some council members was reductions to the planning department’s budget, including a $20,000 cut to consulting.

“If we’re trying to make North Kingstown more business friendly, how is this going to work?” said Councilwoman Carol Hueston.

Though the will survive another year, the town’s proposed cuts would reduce an animal control officer from full-time to part-time, saving the town $45,000. For Stamm, the proposed cuts are an omen of what may be in store for the shelter next year.

“I think the handwriting is on the wall and that this is a good area to consolidate with another town,” he said.

The cuts would also eliminate one full-time police officer and reduce the department’s vehicular replacements from three a year to two, cutting the department’s budget by $108,000.

The slew of proposed cuts were brought before the Town Council after town officials received correspondence and heard comments from multiple residents asking for a two percent tax levy increase instead of the town manager’s originally proposed four percent increase. Embury warned that bringing the tax levy down to two percent could be detrimental to the town in the long run.

“When we get down to 2013 and 2014, I don’t think people are going to understand how much more it’s going to hurt,” said Embury.

Despite the warnings, Dolan stated her intent to focus on the present and respond to residents’ concerns this year.

“Right now we’re looking at people’s financial situations and where they are and where we are this year,” said Dolan. “If we can bring it to a two percent increase, I think that would be a good thing.”

The council looks to adopt the 2012 budget at its May 4 meeting.