City budget and taxes
Where it standsThe council adopted a $393 million FY27 budget 7-2 in May 2026, with a 3.86 percent tax increase.
What's on the tableHow much the city spends and taxes, how it funds the school department, and how closely the council reviews spending requests.
- The council passed the $393M FY27 budget 7-2 with no change to the 3.86 percent tax increase. Warwick Post · May 23, 2026 ↗
- Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur proposed an amendment cutting $698,438 in mostly energy and fuel lines, and the council passed the administration's amendments. Warwick Post · May 23, 2026 ↗
- The Beacon reported that taxes went up near the maximum allowed by state law and the city went through nearly a year of weekly meetings on school budget deficits. Warwick Beacon · Jul 30, 2026 ↗
Retiree health liability and union contracts
Where it standsThe police and municipal contracts ratified in January 2025 phase in OPEB contributions, and the council passed an ordinance in May 2026 on OPEB contributions.
What's on the tableHow fast the city pays down retiree health costs, and whether to ratify two union contracts that expire June 30, 2027 and one that expires June 30, 2028.
- The police and municipal contracts ratified in January 2025 included OPEB contributions of 0.66 percent of salary, with employees contributing an additional 0.67 percent in 2026 and another 0.67 percent in 2027. Warwick Post · Jan 31, 2025 ↗
- The council passed ordinance PCO-6-26 on OPEB contributions on second passage 7-2 in May 2026. City of Warwick · May 11, 2026 ↗
- Councilman Jeremy Rix wrote that two collective bargaining agreements expire June 30, 2027 and a third expires June 30, 2028. Warwick Beacon · Oct 1, 2026 ↗
Flock license plate cameras
Where it standsWarwick has 11 Flock automated license plate reader cameras; the council renewed its expiring two-year Flock deal in July 2025.
What's on the tableWhether to keep, limit or end the Flock contract when it next comes up, and what privacy rules apply.
- The council renewed the expiring two-year Flock camera deal for 11 license plate cameras, a $68,000 contract paid from the police department's capital asset forfeiture fund. Warwick Post · Jul 8, 2025 ↗
- Police Major Robert Hart told the council the system aided the department 56 times over the prior two years. Warwick Post · Jul 8, 2025 ↗
Housing and zoning
Where it standsWarwick is at 5.81 percent of the state's 10 percent low- and moderate-income housing goal, and the council passed a duplex-related zoning amendment in March 2026.
What's on the tableHow zoning rules, such as duplex lot-size standards, and new construction shape housing supply.
- The Beacon's questionnaire states Warwick is at 5.81 percent of the 10 percent low- and moderate-income housing goal set by Rhode Island Housing. Warwick Beacon · Oct 1, 2026 ↗
- The council passed ordinance PCO-27-25 (Sub B), covering fences, drive-through window clearance and special use permit lot size standards for duplexes, on second passage 8-1 in March 2026. City of Warwick · Mar 9, 2026 ↗
Charter reform and council oversight
Where it standsIn May 2026 the council voted 9-0 to ask the General Assembly to give the council advice and consent over mayoral appointments.
What's on the tableWhether to pursue further charter changes, such as annual financial presentations or a larger School Committee.
- The council adopted resolution PCR-20-26, requesting a charter amendment for council advice and consent on Article VIII mayoral appointments, 9-0 as amended. City of Warwick · May 11, 2026 ↗
- Councilmen Rix, Ladouceur and Muto sponsored resolutions requesting charter amendments on annual financial presentations (PCR-19-26) and on expanding the School Committee (PCR-21-26). City of Warwick · May 11, 2026 ↗