Tiverton council backs drafting of charter amendments on budget process, treasurer appointment and term changes

The Tiverton Town Council met in special session on March 21 to consider a slate of charter amendments recommended by the Charter Review Commission, including proposals to change the municipal budget timeline, alter the Budget Committee’s authority, make the town treasurer an appointed position, lengthen council terms to four years on a staggered cycle, and add a required town planner.

The council’s review centered on the budget timeline and the Budget Committee’s future role. The Commission’s report proposed moving the budget timeline forward so the unified municipal budget would be finalized by May 1 and schools could issue layoff notices by June 1. Supporters said an earlier timeline could give school districts clearer information on funding and reduce turnover among staff; opponents warned state aid projections and budget hearings run late into the spring and that earlier deadlines could force premature personnel actions.

“I don’t think this should be changed at all,” Councillor Burke said during debate, noting state budget hearings and late adjustments can affect final school aid figures.

Councilors disagreed about restoring the Budget Committee’s pre-2022 authority versus keeping it advisory. Several members favored replacing the current model with a standing finance or budget advisory committee that would meet year-round, include municipal staff (administrator and treasurer or CFO), the school CFO and appointed citizens, and provide ongoing financial oversight and forecasting. That hybrid approach was presented as a way to maintain council responsibility for revenue decisions while improving year-round monitoring and early detection of budget issues.

On governance changes, the council expressed general support for: converting the elected town treasurer into an appointed chief financial officer role (with day-to-day reporting to the town administrator and oversight from the council); lengthening council terms to four years on a staggered schedule to preserve institutional continuity; and adding a town planner and related updates to planning and zoning language so it aligns with Rhode Island general law. Councilors discussed whether statutory language should be quoted verbatim in the charter or whether the charter should reference the statute “as amended” to avoid future mismatch.

Members also debated the town administrator hiring process and personnel-board screening. Some councilors said they want the council to retain sole hiring authority for the town administrator while allowing the personnel board to assist with initial screening; others said confidentiality rules and past disputes over access to applicant pools need clearer governance-policy language.

Councillors discussed several specific timelines and clarifications offered during discussion: the CRC’s proposed May 1 target for budget finalization and June 1 window for school layoff notices; a council deadline in the record that the ballot and related certification processes are constrained by board-of-canvassers timing; and a stated administrative deadline that draft ballot language must be finalized well before the beginning of August so canvassers can certify questions.

After discussion, the council voted to instruct the solicitor to prepare the draft documents and legal language for the amendments the body had come to consensus on; the motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The council chair also confirmed the package will return for further public hearings and additional council review before any ballot placement.

The council adjourned after taking public comments and setting next steps. The solicitor will prepare draft charter language for review and the council expects at least two additional meetings or workshops before finalizing the questions for the ballot.