Town Anticipates $1.5m Budget Revenue Increase Next Year

Budget season in East Greenwich kicks off tonight as the Town Council and School Committee will meet for a review of revenue and expenditure predictions for next years.

A report prepared by town officials indicates that the town is expecting budget revenues to increase on the municipal side by $1.5 million, of 2.54 percent over next year.

The majority of the additional revenues would come in the form of tax increases. The current budget’s figure of $52.7 million would go up to $54.9 million, according to the report.

A solid chunk of revenue totaling $335,000, will vanish from the fire fees portion of the budget, thanks to the Town Council’s decision earlier this year to reinstate the tax exemption for seniors that disappeared after the town merged its fire districts into a unified town-operated Fire Department.

On the school side, the East Greenwich School Department is expecting a total budget increase of less than $1 million -- from $34.68 to $35.61 million.

The figures have been released very early in the budget season and are likely to change as the town receives more information from the state about municipal aid.

The Town Council will also hear from Bob Houghtaling, director of the East Greenwich Drug Program; a presentation by the Main Street Association to the Odeum; and review liquor license holiday renewals for the East Greenwich Golf Club, Jade’s Garden, Norma’s Tap and Restaurant and Piezonis.