"No Tax Increases" - Warwick's Picozzi on Budget, Firefighter OT, Economic Development, and More

"No Tax Increases" - Warwick's Picozzi on Budget, Firefighter OT, Economic Development, and More

Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi said there will be no tax increases in his Fiscal Year 2022 budget he will submit next week -- and that he can't take a "knee-jerk" reaction to reports of soaring overtime costs on the Fire Department.

The first-term Mayor, who resoundingly defeated incumbent Joseph Solomon in November with 60% of the vote in November, said there is a "big opportunity to improve Warwick and put pride back in the community."

"My budget will be presented [next week] with no tax increases," said Picozzi. "I think we look to be in good shape."

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Budget -- and Firefighters

In January, Picozzi said the city was facing a $1.2 million shortfall for Fiscal Year 2021, but that has now been rectified. 

"We've cut spending. There were millions in that budget that were not applied, such as unfilled positions," said Picozzi, who noted it was the previous administration's budget. "That's all been eliminated and trimmed to where it should be." 

As for his upcoming budget proposal, Picozzi noted several factors, including monies from the American Rescue Plan -- and a continued diminishment of the number of students in the city. 

"We lost a lot with hotel and restaurant taxes during the pandemic," said Picozzi. "Our infrastructure is terrible. The American Rescue Money is a historic opportunity. I'm committing $10 million to water and sewer repairs."

Picozzi noted that the city is down to approximately 440 students in the past year, and the total number is around 1200 students in the past six years. 

"We're trying to determine why that is and where they're going," said Picozzi, who noted he meets with the school superintendent every other week. 

As for the issue of ballooning firefighter overtime costs, Picozzi said he is currently investigating. 

"I've asked for all the data -- I've also asked the [fire] chief for information," said Picozzi. "I can’t tell how widespread it is. I’m looking into it and I need all the facts. I’ve talked with the city solicitor's office. I can’t just take a knee-jerk reaction."

Economic Development

Picozzi said he does want to make the city more business-friendly -- and adept at economic development. 

"We have a lot of things in the hopper," said Picozzi, including a large warehouse "going through the process" by the airport. 

"The last couple of years,  we haven’t been that business-friendly. Big business tends to take care of itself, I'm talking small business -- our [business permitting] process is climbing up an ice-covered hill," said Picozzi of the city. 

"It's not until next year's budget, but I'm creating an economic development department," said Picozzi. "We'll have a concierge process, from planning, to zoning, everything.  Cranston has one — and they’ve been successful. I’ve talked with [former Cranston Mayor Allan] Fung about it. I’m not saying we’re going to copy it exactly, we know our area."

"I’d say we just have to get better — but we haven’t been doing it," said Picozzi.