Development News for Bristol, Rhode Island

Town Council Receives Clean Financial Audit, Approves Tax Levy Resolution and Tree Growth Regulator Program

The Town Council received a presentation on the fiscal year 2025 annual financial audit from CLA. The audit resulted in an unmodified (clean) opinion on the basic financial statements. A significant deficiency was noted regarding internal controls over financial reporting, related to prior year audit cleanup items, which is not expected to carry forward. The federal single audit (uniform guidance) for ARPA and CDBG funds had no instances of non-compliance, leading to an unmodified opinion. The town's government-wide financial statements showed increases in assets and liabilities due to bond issuance and asset capitalization. The general fund had an excess of revenues over expenditures of $219,000, adding to the fund balance, with other funds increasing by $737,000, resulting in a total increase of nearly $1 million in fund balance. The fund balance, considered a 'rainy day fund,' was approximately $10.1 million in fiscal year 25, with recommendations to maintain 15-20% of the fund balance in reserve. The shore enterprise fund had a negative change in net position of $555,000 but remains healthy with a $23 million fund balance. Various fund deficits were discussed, attributed to timing issues with reimbursements and grant collections. Debt levels decreased overall, with a reduction in net pension liability. The budget to actual report showed a surplus of $376,000, indicating departments monitored expenditures. There were no management letters, and the audit encountered no difficulties or uncorrected misstatements, although restatements were made for cleanup items including leases, capital assets, bond funds, and bond premiums. The financial statements were accepted by the council. Additionally, the council considered and approved a resolution for the fiscal year 2026 assessment of valuations and levy of taxes, sewer service fees, and sewer assessments, with a projected homestead tax rate of $9.939 per thousand and a nonhomestead rate of $10.986 per thousand. The council also approved a request for Rhode Island Energy to administer tree growth regulators on specific town trees, following positive recommendations from the town administrator and conservation commission. Bids for townwide HVAC repair/maintenance, landscaping, curbside yard waste collection, and tree planting/landscaping services were referred to the town administrator for action.

Town Council Approves Parking, Sidewalk, and Event Licenses; Denies Accessible Parking Request

The town council held the second reading and approved an amendment to Chapter 16, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, specifically sections 16143, 16152, and 16345, concerning parking regulations on Bird Street [cite: 32-38]. They also approved an amendment to Chapter 11, Section 11-1 of the comprehensive schedule of fees, relating to zoning and planning fee changes, again on its second reading [cite: 44-50]. Additionally, an amendment to Chapter 16, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Section 16345, to amend parking on Bradford Street between Hope and Central, also passed its second reading [cite: 57-62]. A request for a sidewalk use license for Bo Blue Boutique at 433 Hope Street was approved [cite: 79-88]. A one-day dancing and entertainment license for Rockwell Park for the 13th annual Harbor Festival on August 15th was approved, along with a request to sell and serve alcohol at the same event [cite: 90-130]. A catering license for David Harworth Fair and Square Pizzeria at 9 Gooding Avenue was approved [cite: 179-193]. A request for a mobile food establishment event permit for the annual flea and fair on August 8th at Independence Park was approved [cite: 231-242]. A one-day dancing and entertainment license and street closure of a six-block section of High Street from Wall-E to Biffield Streets on Sunday, September 20th, for Porchfest 2026 was approved [cite: 244-253]. A permit for the Bristol 4th of July committee for a mobile food truck establishment event for the outdoor concert series at Independence Park from June 21st through July 2nd was approved [cite: 268-325]. A request for an accessible parking spot near 192nd School Street was denied [cite: 326-356].