FIRST PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL 2027 BUDGET  

MIDDLETOWN, RI (MAY 20, 2026) – Opening Wednesday’s public hearing on the proposed Fiscal 2027 budget, Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown said there were challenges facing Middletown.

From the rising costs of personnel and benefits to economic volatility, high inflation, work on infrastructure and more, Brown said the $113.3 million number was lean, more than most would realize while standing before the Town Council in Town Hall.

Well aware of those realities, the town has been operating under a spending freeze on all “nonessential” spending since early March at Brown’s request. In his directive, Brown said it was important for employees to “manage risk and remain disciplined with our resources” because of challenges facing many segments of the community.

During a more than two-hour discussion, there was talk by council members about what additional cuts would look like to bring the proposed tax rate increases to 3 percent, 2 percent and 1 percent before making a final decision on the numbers. The proposed tax rate for Fiscal 2027 was 3.2 percent.

The second — and potentially final public hearing for the proposed Fiscal 2027 budget — is planned for May 27 at 6 pm in Town Hall.

For more, visit the town’s dedicated Fiscal 2027 budget page at https://mdl.town/FY27-Budget online. This includes a computer slideshow presentation provided Wednesday night at https://mdl.town/FY27PH1 online.

“Nobody wants to raise taxes,” council President Paul M. Rodrigues said. “Not one of us wants to do it. Not one person in the room wants it to happen, but we provide services and contractually, we’re bound by these things.”

Earlier this month, the council went through each department during an all-day budget workshop town officials proposed a 3.2 percent tax increase for Fiscal 2027.

That included funding to keep existing operations largely in tact, minus the reduction of about 20 teachers, support staff and other positions in the schools. That’s even with a 4 percent increase in the amount of tax dollars going towards education in 2026-2027, or $1.3 million more than the current $32.9 million figure.

Brought on largely by a continuing loss of state educational aid, rising costs for salaries and benefits, many of those layoffs were out of the school’s central office on Oliphant Lane. 

Importantly, the proposed Fiscal 2027 budget covers the entire cost of Middletown Middle High School without any spike in the tax rate.

Preliminary numbers show the Fiscal 2027 tax rate was projected at $9.354 per $1,000 of assessed value for residential properties. That’s compared to $12.162 per $1,000 for non-owner occupied properties and $14.02 for commercial land per $1,000.

According to town information, the total budget for Fiscal 2027 — including all funds — was $113,279.371. That’s close to 3.8 percent more than the $109 million adjusted budget for Fiscal 2026.

The $99.5 million set aside for the General Fund makes up most of the preliminary total. Approximately $8.6 million was designated for the Sewer Fund, $3.6 million for Parks & Recreation and close to $1.5 million for Refuse & Recycling operations.

For comparison, the adjusted Fiscal 2026 General Fund budget was $96.2 million, $7.9 million for the Sewer Fund, $3.4 million for Parks & Recreation and $1.4 million for Refuse & Recycling.

The largest portion of the proposed Fiscal 2027 General Fund budget was dedicated to the School Department. The preliminary numbers indicated a 4 percent increase in the amount of tax dollars spent on the schools, or $1.3 million more than the current $32.9 million figure.

When grants and other revenues were factored in, the bottom-line school budget was projected at $48 million. That’s 3.6 percent more than the current “all in” number for education of $46.3 million in Fiscal 2026.

As for the town’s enterprise funds, there were increases planned for Parks & Recreation, Refuse & Recycling and Sewer accounts.

With the beaches, the new seasonal parking rate would be $100 for residents and $200 for nonresidents, up $10 and $20 respectively. The seasonal parking rate was proposed to stay the same for resident and nonresident seniors at $85 and $170. 

The price for the daily beach parking pass would go to $30 on weekdays, $40 on weekends and holidays and $25 for motorcycles and scooters. 

The hikes at the beaches were attributed to a $1 increase in the hourly minimum wage as well as the new state sales tax implemented upstate, rising costs and related factors.

The annual fee for the town’s “Pay-As-You-Throw” curbside refuse and recycling collection program would go to $190 from $185. There would also be a new $25 charge for the 325 single-family properties with more than one set of town trash bins to offset additional collection expenses. The price for the mandatory yellow “Pay-As-You-Throw” bags would remain unchanged. 

A $2.05 increase per 1,000 gallons was requested from $19.39 per 1,000 gallons to $21.44 per 1,000 gallons for the town’s Sewer Fund. At the same time, the Newport Customer Service charge will go from $44.93 per meter connection to $47.90 per meter connection, a $2.97 hike. Town figures indicated the average single family sewer rate payer would see an increase of about $70 for their sewer bill.

To see the 248-page budget received earlier this month by the council, go to https://mdl.town/FY27-Budget-Book online.

Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-PH127

About Middletown

The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.

Media Contact

Matt Sheley

Public Affairs Officer

401-842-6543

msheley@middletownri.gov