Budget Up 1% Under Mayor's Plan

Johnston's budget would go up by about 1 percent, to $89.56 million, under Mayor Joseph M. Polisena's proposal for fiscal 2012, which is scheduled for town council review on June 23 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Court.

If approved, the new budget would require an increase in the residential tax rate to $24.75 per $1,000, a 94-cent increase.

(Click here to view and compare the fiscal 2012 proposal with the current year budget.)

During a phone interview on June 21, Chief of Staff Doug Jeffrey said the spending proposal is an attempt to balance increased costs with cuts in spending — while trying to keep town services affordable.

"We've had a lot of expense increases, and I think we've been pretty diligent in cutting expenses wherever we could and dealing with the increase in other expenses," Jeffrey explained, noting a 40 percent increase in pension contributions and hikes in health care and utility costs as major challenges. "I think the things we had to contend with are the things that the everage household has to contend with — gas bills, electric bills, and health care."

The amount includes the same town payment toward schools as in the current budget — $37.13 million.

"It's always difficult to make decision like that, but they were very cooperative," Jeffrey said of school administrators and officials. "We have an excellent relationship with them, which is very positive."

Also reached by phone on June 20, School Committeee Chairwoman Janice Mele said she doesn't see how the department can operate without some kind of increase.

"We can't do it," Mele explained after learning of the town's plan to pay the same amount to schools in fiscal 2012. "We need some money from somewhere."

In its budget proposal approved in March, the school committee originally requested $48.84 million. Committee members have made other adjustments to the spending plan, including a reduction of $57,000 at their June 14 meeting.

"We scrimped and we saved, we cut everything conceivably possible," Mele explained. "We've already cut two administrators and eight teachers (and) we haven't hired anyone in five years, except a part-time human resources person — we haven't hired anybody; we've only gotten rid of people."

While the mayor's proposal includes an expected increase of $700,000 in state aid — to bring the school department budget to just over $48 million — Mele said she won't count that money until it's actually paid.

"You can anticipate money from the state, but it never comes forward," Mele explained. "You can't rely on that."

According to the draft state budget passed by the House Finance Committee on June 17, Johnston would receive about $9.6 million, roughly the amount proposed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee. The state spending plan is scheduled for a full House vote on June 24.

At its June 13 meeting, the town council approved a capital spending plan that would fund $500,000 for a new boiler at Johnston High School.

Jeffrey said funding the new boiler was a way for the town to help the school department with "a needed improvement" while also holding the town's contribution level.

"I think they'll also realize some efficiency savings down the road" since the new boiler will require less fuel, he added.

Asked about the boiler plan, Mele said: "We do appreciate the new boiler, but they're not going to give us anything (extra) to educate the children — we need money for operations."

With the town contribution remaining unchanged in the mayor's proposal, fiscal 2012 would represent the fourth straight year that the school department has been level-funded.

Mele said she expects school officials to make their case to the council on June 23.

"That night, I anticipate we'll be there for awhile," Mele stated.