Editorial: Hope you're ready for another tax increase

Posted 3/21/18

Barrington taxpayers just emerged from last year's rather painful budget season, and it now appears we're headed for another one. 

Last year officials asked Barrington residents to cover a …

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Editorial: Hope you're ready for another tax increase

Posted

Barrington taxpayers just emerged from last year's rather painful budget season, and it now appears we're headed for another one. 

Last year officials asked Barrington residents to cover a $68.4 million bond for a new middle school and increases to both the municipal and school department operating budgets. Barrington taxpayers dug deeper into their wallets and paid the bills — the budget changes resulted in a tax increase of nearly 10 percent for property owners. 

This year, school and municipal officials have preached a message of fiscal restraint. They said they understand how the budget requests impact the taxpayers, but they have done little to cut residents a break. In fact, Barrington property owners could be facing another steep tax increase.

The first page of the town manager's budget report lists the four major parts of the budget and how they are expected to change. (No surprise, they all propose increases.)

• Municipal operating budget: 2.55 percent increase

• Schools operating budget: 3.4 percent increase

• Capital improvement budget: 17.14 percent increase

• Debt service budget: 8.75 percent increase

"If accepted, the combined budgets would total $74,625,918," stated the manager's report. "The total tax levy would be $64,842,935, an increase of 3.03 percent. The statistical property tax revaluation is incomplete and with changes in the senior tax and veteran exemptions, it is impossible to determine the final tax rate at this time."

While it might be hard to estimate the new tax rate at this point, it is safe for most residents to assume that their tax bills will be going up. 

Part of the increase will cover a newly proposed $6 million bond. Money from the bond is expected to pay for renovations and improvements at the Peck Center building and new road surfaces across Barrington. 

It's hard to argue against needed fire code upgrades, asbestos removal and smoother roads, but the timing of this bond, coupled with yet another year of operating budget increases, is going to hurt the bottom line for a number of Barrington residents.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.