Cranston council adopts revised 2026–27 budget, splits $2.04M in amendment savings between schools and senior center

The Cranston City Council voted May 15 to adopt a revised operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2026–27 and to allocate amendment savings discovered during council review. In a series of motions the council approved changes that produced a net $2,041,789 available for allocation and voted to split that amount between the school department and the senior center.

Council president opened the meeting and framed the vote as a stopgap measure intended to protect core services while the administration and bargaining units continue negotiations. The council president moved a specific allocation that, as stated aloud during the meeting, assigned $1,020,894 to the school department and about $1.02 million to the senior center; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote.

The decision followed extensive discussion among council members and administration officials about where the newly available funds came from and whether additional savings might materialize before the council’s next session on June 1. Finance staff told the council the $2,041,789 figure reflected the net effect of amendments approved on May 14 and May 15, including a mix of increased revenues and expenditure reductions. Council members argued for transparency on both new revenue assumptions and any verbal agreements tied to asset sales.

Council members also debated restoring a $200,000 police vehicle line item that had been removed earlier; Councilman Bonanno said he had conferred with the police chief and proposed offsetting the added vehicle spending by raising police detail fees (an increase from $20 to $25 per hour and a higher administrative fee) to generate roughly the needed revenue. The council approved that motion as part of the amendment blocks.

Administration officials and the finance director clarified that proceeds from the reported, not‑yet‑ratified sale agreement for Chester Barrows would be handled separately: the administration said a verbal agreement and email exchanges exist indicating $750,000 would be directed to school capital, but the administration and council stated the allocation is subject to a formal written agreement and council ratification.

Members repeatedly emphasized that the allocations and the revised levy cap resolution adopted earlier in the meeting were intended as backstops to preserve flexibility: councilors said they prefer to avoid using the full levy authority and will continue negotiating with unions and exploring further efficiencies ahead of the June 1 follow‑up session.

The council then voted to adopt the remaining amended budget, the revised salary schedule, associated funds and the capital improvement program. The clerk recorded the roll calls for the amendment votes and the final adoption, and the motions carried as recorded by the clerk.

A resident who spoke during the public comment period praised the administration’s initial 4% budget approach and urged fiscal restraint as the council finalized allocations.

Next steps: the council will reconvene June 1 for required hearings under the property tax and fiscal disclosure act and to consider any additional amendments, any written agreement on school property proceeds presented for ratification, and the continued outcome of union negotiations.