Tonight, the Providence City Council Committee on Finance elected Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) as its next chair.
Councilwoman Ryan, a former chair of the committee, was reappointed to the panel last week by Council President Rachel Miller to fill the vacancy resulting from former councilwoman Helen Anthony’s recent resignation.
With tonight’s vote, Chairwoman Ryan was selected by her colleagues to lead the committee responsible for the city’s annual budget.
“The Chair of Finance is a critical position,” said Council President Rachel Miller after the vote. “As seen over the last three years, under Helen Anthony’s outstanding leadership, the process of vetting and balancing a budget for the city requires patience, flexibility, some very long hours and the ability to make difficult decisions. I applaud the committee’s decision to entrust Councilwoman Ryan with this crucial role and am looking forward to working with her and each member of the Finance Committee as we work on behalf of residents of the city over the upcoming year.”
Councilwoman Ryan was first elected in 2014 to represent Ward 5, which includes the neighborhoods of Elmhurst, Mount Pleasant, and the western edge of Manton. Ryan was reelected in 2018 and 2022 and previously served on Finance from 2016 to 2023, including as committee chair from 2021 to 2023. During her first stint as chair, Ryan oversaw passage of several annual city budgets and the allocation of more than $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding.
“I’m grateful for the confidence of my fellow committee members and Council leadership as I take on this role,” said Ryan of her return to the chair. “City Council has no greater responsibility than to be effective stewards of taxpayer dollars. I intend to lead this committee with transparency and diligence as we work together to build a city that serves the best interests of all of its residents.”
The Committee on Finance is responsible for overseeing all matters relating to city finances, including appropriations for city boards and commissions, major contracts for necessary supplies and services, as well as the city’s annual budget which is presented each spring by the mayor and must be carefully vetted, amended, and advanced to the full council.
Also serving on Finance this term are Vice-Chairman James Taylor (Ward 8), Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3), Councilwoman Althea Graves (Ward 12), and Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6).
Following the chair election, the committee moved on to a full meeting agenda with Chairwoman Ryan presiding.
