North Kingstown council approves 60-day tax-payment delay for federally employed residents during shutdown
October 20, 2025 | North Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island
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The North Kingstown Town Council on Oct. 20 approved a resolution allowing town residents who are federal employees and who must continue working without pay during a federal government shutdown to delay paying certain municipal bills for 60 days.
Councilor McCoy, who introduced the resolution, said the measure was designed as a narrow, temporary aid: "This is not a forgiveness. It's just a delay, and it's a modest delay," he said. He asked the council to amend one line replacing the word "headquarters" with "facilities" to reflect the joint National Guard facility in East Greenwich; the amendment was accepted and the resolution was approved.
The resolution was presented as targeted relief for local residents compelled to work without pay, including members of the National Guard living in North Kingstown. McCoy said his office contacted the adjutant general and learned the guard has about 25 members who live in town; he and other councilors estimated there could be additional federal employees affected locally.
Council members stressed the resolution was time-limited and administrative in scope. Councilors who spoke in support said the intent was to signal municipal support while limiting fiscal exposure. "We are not forgiving anybody's taxes. All we are saying is that they have more time to pay them," a councilor said during the debate.
The council voted to approve the resolution as amended. No dollar cost or formal fiscal-impact estimate was presented at the meeting; councilors discussed that the action represents a short delay rather than a write-off and said the immediate fiscal impact to the town should be minimal.
Council discussion touched on related federal funding concerns that were raised elsewhere in the meeting, including possible disruptions to SNAP and other federal programs if a prolonged shutdown continues. Several councilors said those broader programs require state or federal solutions and that the town would continue coordinating with local relief organizations.
The council did not create a separate relief fund; the approved resolution simply authorizes a 60-day payment-extension process for qualifying North Kingstown residents and was passed by voice vote.
Councilor McCoy, who introduced the resolution, said the measure was designed as a narrow, temporary aid: "This is not a forgiveness. It's just a delay, and it's a modest delay," he said. He asked the council to amend one line replacing the word "headquarters" with "facilities" to reflect the joint National Guard facility in East Greenwich; the amendment was accepted and the resolution was approved.
The resolution was presented as targeted relief for local residents compelled to work without pay, including members of the National Guard living in North Kingstown. McCoy said his office contacted the adjutant general and learned the guard has about 25 members who live in town; he and other councilors estimated there could be additional federal employees affected locally.
Council members stressed the resolution was time-limited and administrative in scope. Councilors who spoke in support said the intent was to signal municipal support while limiting fiscal exposure. "We are not forgiving anybody's taxes. All we are saying is that they have more time to pay them," a councilor said during the debate.
The council voted to approve the resolution as amended. No dollar cost or formal fiscal-impact estimate was presented at the meeting; councilors discussed that the action represents a short delay rather than a write-off and said the immediate fiscal impact to the town should be minimal.
Council discussion touched on related federal funding concerns that were raised elsewhere in the meeting, including possible disruptions to SNAP and other federal programs if a prolonged shutdown continues. Several councilors said those broader programs require state or federal solutions and that the town would continue coordinating with local relief organizations.
The council did not create a separate relief fund; the approved resolution simply authorizes a 60-day payment-extension process for qualifying North Kingstown residents and was passed by voice vote.
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