Budget Season Begins

By Cynthia Drummond for BRVCA 

January 13th 2026 

RICHMOND – The budget process has begun, for both the Town of Richmond and the Chariho Regional School District. 

Town Administrator Erin Liese presented a 2026-27 municipal budget timeline at the Jan. 6 Town Council meeting, promising a straightforward process that residents will find easier to understand. 

“We are working diligently to educate and inform the public about the budget process and associated deadlines,” Liese said in a written statement. “Moving forward, I am trying to provide the residents with a more streamlined presentation to support transparency and ensure the public receives accurate and accessible information, without requiring review of extensive, multi-page budget reports. Of course, those reports will still be provided, but additional documentation will accompany them.” 

Two factors complicate the town’s budget planning: the Chariho Regional School District budget, over which the town has no direct control, represents nearly 75% of the town’s expenses. In addition, the state budget, and therefore, state funding for education, will not be finalized on June 2, when Richmond residents vote on the town spending plan. 

“The Town’s budget is largely driven by education component, which represents the first and largest portion,” the budget timeline reads. “In the most recent fiscal year, approximately 73.5% of the Town’s total budget was devoted to education. This means that nearly three-quarters of all municipal funds are allocated to school operations and programs, highlighting the significant role the school district plays in the Town’s overall financial planning. The remaining portion of the budget supports other municipal services, including public safety, public works, administration, and community programs.” 

Town Council President Samantha Wilcox agreed that the uncertainty of federal and state funding made the budget process more difficult. 

“Every budget year presents challenges,” she said. “State and federal funding remain unreliable, and greater consistency is needed. For example, every year, we fight for transportation funding for our schools. On the municipal level, our employees do amazing with the resources provided to them. I hope we are able to adopt a budget that empowers them to continue their excellent work including improvements to our parks and roads, improving efficiencies for businesses and land use.” 

The municipal budget timeline encourages residents to participate in both the Chariho and municipal budget processes. 

“This is why it is imperative for residents and stakeholders to be involved in the entire budget process, from school budget discussions through Town Budget workshops, public hearings, and the final referendum, to ensure that all priorities are represented and considered,” the document states. 

The Chariho Budget  

The proposed school district budget is first presented to the School Committee at the Jan. 13 meeting. 

The annual Chariho Omnibus meeting, on Jan. 21, is a requirement of the Chariho Act and will focus on the budget, with state Senators and Representatives, and Town Council members and administrators from Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton are invited to attend. The public is also welcome at the Omnibus meeting. 

The first Chariho budget workshop, which is open to the public, will be on Jan. 27. 

Richmond 

Wilcox said the grant writer position, which was not included in the current budget, is still on the horizon. 

“The need for a grant writer has not been forgotten,” she said. “It’s important we revisit this. Our neighboring towns and the school district all are benefitting from theirs and Richmond needs to be competitive with anything that does come down the pipeline.” 

Details of the town’s budget process can be found on the town’s “Finance”page. Residents will have their first look at the budget at the Town Council budget workshop on March 17. There will be a second budget workshop on March 31.