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Untitled Document
OFFICE
OF THE TOWN MANAGER
Mission Statement
The Office of the Town Manager provides general administrative management and oversight of municipal operations. To fulfill this primary function, the Office performs the following services:
- Advise the Town Council on municipal policy and programs affecting the community.
- Direct and coordinate the activities and work programs of Town departments.
- Interact with federal and state agencies and other local governments and agencies.
- Conduct short and long-range financial planning including preparation of the annual operating budget and the six-year capital improvement program.
- Administer the personnel program and manage labor relations
- Perform special studies and issue analyses and evaluations as needed to promote informed decision-making.
- Review and oversee the submission and administration of federal, state, and foundation grants.
- Monitor proposed state legislation and represent the local government interests.
- Provide general management oversight of major Town construction projects.
Budget:
FY
2006 - 2007 return to top
Voters at the April 25, 2006 Financial Town Meeting approved the FY2006-2007 General Fund Budget in the amount of $68,405,793, representing an increase of $4,015,717 over the prior fiscal year. Funding is allocated in the amount of $21,379,407 (31%) for municipal services and $47,026,386 (69%) for school programs. learn
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Municipal Budget
The adopted municipal operating budget amounts to $18,353,986 or $1,236,687 (6.7%) more than the prior year. This increase is primarily driven by contractual and cost-of-living salary adjustments for the 217 full-time and 40-plus part-time employees ($325,657), increased employer retirement contributions ($210,263), and a hike in employee health insurance premiums ($309,463). learn more>>
School Budget
Because funding for school programs and facilities represents four-fifths (80.59 percent) of the local property tax rate need, major emphasis is placed on the review of the School Committee's expenditure budget and revenue requirements.
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Five Year Budget Trends
Budgeted expenditures for all municipal services, capital projects and debt service have risen an average of $976,540 or 5.13 percent annually over the five-year period FY2001-2002 through FY2006-2007. Annual expenditures for municipal operating programs have increased an average of $897,433 (5.51%) while spending for Town debt service has risen by an average of $74,607 (5.80%). The capital budget has increased by an average of $4,500 or 0.31 percent.
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Property Tax
Based on the historical state/local tax structure in Rhode Island, cities and towns must rely on the property tax as the principal revenue source to support municipal and school services. In the adopted FY2006-2007 budget, the required property tax levy amounts to $56,477,248, representing 82.56 percent of all general fund revenues. The property tax allocation for municipal programs is $10,963,463 (19.41%) and $45,513,786 (80.59%) for school services and facilities. The property tax rate for FY2006-2007 is $13.65 per thousand dollars, consisting of $11.00 for school purposes and $2.65 for municipal services.
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Major Activities: 2005 - 2006 return to top
Personnel Management
Due to new employee hires and retirements within the Town’s 217 full-time and 40-plus person part-time workforce, the Personnel Division managed the recruitment, selection and appointment of 26 positions during the year. The openings included police officers and dispatchers, emergency medical services personnel, and maintenance and clerical staff. learn more>>
Union Contracts
During FY2005-2006, the Town negotiated a labor agreement with Local 489 of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, representing the Town’s 54 sworn police officers. The agreement covers the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009 and provides annual wage increases of 3.90 percent for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, a 3.65 percent increase in FY 2007-2008, and an increase of 3.85 percent in FY2008-2009. The average wage increase amounts to 3.80 percent per year over the contract term. learn more>>
Administration Management
Geographic Information System Mapping
The Geographic Information System continues to serve as a powerful mapping and visualization tool for many Town departments including the Planning Department, Building Official’s Office, Tax Assessor’s Office, Public Services, Police Department, Town Clerk’s Office, Parks and Recreation Department, and Town Manager’s Office. Departments are integrating the GIS in new ways into their daily routine. learn more>>
Planning Programs learn more>>
- Growth Management
- Preserve Open Space
Downtown Revitilization learn more>>
- Downtown Inter-Modal Park
- Peace Dale Revitilization
Economic Development
URI Research and Technology Park Feasibility Study
In January 2005 the Town was awarded a $25,000 Community Economic Growth Fund grant by the RI Economic Development Corporation to assess the feasibility of a research and technology park on the Kingston campus of URI. The study is being conducted in partnership with the University and RIEDC. The Town and URI will provide matching funds, with each contributing $12,500 toward the $50,000 project. The study is being coordinated by lead consultant George Henry George Partners of McLean, Virginia and is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.
Housing Affordability learn more>>
- Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee
Environmental Planning learn more>>
- Trees on Municipal Rights-of-Way
- Wastewater Management Program (WWMP)
- USEPA National Demonstration Project
Superfund Site Management learn more>>
- Rose Hill Regional Landfill
- West Kingston / URI Disposable Area Landfills
Public Facilities Management
The Saugatucket River Heritage Greenway The Saugatucket River Greenway includes a number of proposed improvements along the Saugatucket River, from Wakefield Elementary School to the Wakefield dam on Main Street. learn more>>
Transportation Projects learn more>>
- Local Traffic and Transportation Projects
- State Highway Projects
- New Sidewalk Projects
Goals: 2006 - 2007 return to top
Administration
- Prepare and submit a six-year Capital Improvement Program for the period FY2007-2008 through FY2012-2013 to the Town Council.
- Prepare and submit the FY2007-2008 Town Manager’s Proposed Budget to the Town Council.
- Conclude negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with the South Kingstown Municipal Employees Association (55 administrative and professional employees).
- Work with the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) and the Town of Narragansett to study the feasibility for providing a comprehensive solid waste management and disposal system for the two towns that provides roadside residential recycling and collection services.
- Prepare and present a non-union employment compensation study.
Planning / Economic Development
- Assist in the development and implementation of policies and programs to create affordable housing opportunities in the community.
- Continue to identify opportunities to expand and diversify the tax base through low-impact development and the appropriate reuse of underutilized commercial and industrial parcels.
- Work with URI and the RI Economic Development Corporation to complete the URI Research and Technology Park Feasibility Study.
- Assist in the implementation of the Peace Dale Revitalization Plan.
- Assist in the promotion of Main Street Revitalization.
- Review and assess the condition and usability of all identified public rights-of-way to the shoreline.
- Work with the Planning Board and Planning Department to draft ordinance language to implement the Palisades Mill study’s findings.
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