by Council Staff | Jun 16, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
June 16, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Council Approves $568 million City Budget, Laborers’ Local 1033 Contract, and Supports 30 Year Tax Agreement for Superman Building
FY 2023 budget lowers the residential property tax rate, raises the elderly exemption for seniors, lowers business tangible tax, identifies funds for the Superman building, and calls for the hiring of a full-time fire chief
Providence, RI – The Providence City Council approved the $568 million FY 2023 city budget lowering the residential property tax rate against rising home values. The budget increases the elderly exemption, helping senior citizens with their property taxes during rising inflation. The budget also calls for hiring a full-time qualified fire chief and includes public safety funding for a new police academy, adding 50 trained officers to the force.
“I commend my council colleagues who voted to support the budget tonight and keep the business of city government moving forward,” said Council President John Igliozzi. “We lessened the tax burden on our single-family and multi-family homeowners and protected our most vulnerable, senior citizens. The tax levy and budget help fund the city’s entire operation, from our contract with the laborers to keeping our police and fire departments staffed and ready to maintain public safety.”
Rhode Island Laborers’ Local Union 1033
Councilors voted to approve a three-year contract with members of Public Employees’ Local Union 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America. Details include an 8.25% pay increase from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025. Copays from employees for health and welfare benefits will increase 5% over three years.
Superman building Tax Stabilization Agreement
Councilors voted to approve a resolution supporting enabling legislation that would allow the City Council to consider a 30-year tax stabilization agreement for 111 Westminster Street, known as the Superman building.
FY 2023 City Budget highlights
- Residential property tax rate decreased to $17.80 per $1,000 (a decrease from the mayor’s proposal of $18.50 and the current rate of $24.56)
*On average residential property values increased by 46%, according to the city’s internal auditor. There are 32,124 residential homes in the city.
- Commercial property tax rate decreased to $35.40 per $1,000, lower than the current rate of $36.70 (but an increase from the mayor’s proposal of $33.85)
*On average commercial property values increased by 15%, according to the city’s internal auditor. There are 5,246 commercial properties in the city.
- Business tangible tax decreased to $53.40 per $1,000 (a decrease from the mayor’s proposal of $55.55 and the current rate of $55.80)
- Elderly tax exemption increased to $600 from $511
- Homestead exemption increased to 45% from the current 40% (matching the mayor’s proposal)
- Deadline for personal tax exemptions is extended from March 15 to December 31 (social security disability, service disability, blind exemption, veteran exemption, indigent exemption)
- Funded a new city police academy
- $5 million has been identified for the development of the Superman building (111 Westminster Street, should the development receive approval by the General Assembly and City Council)
- Provides funding for a full-time qualified fire chief hired at an annual salary of no more than $175,000
- Repurposes approximately $4 million in ARPA funds for small businesses or capital infrastructure improvements in our neighborhoods
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by Council Staff | Jun 8, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
June 8, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Budget lowers residential property tax rate, raises elderly exemption for seniors, lowers business tangible tax, identifies funds for the Superman building, and calls for the hiring of a full-time fire chief
Tonight, the Providence City Council Finance Committee voted to approve a $568 million FY 2023 city budget that lowers the residential property tax rate to help balance rising home values and the need to fund critical city services. The budget includes public safety funding for a new police academy, adding 50 trained officers to the Providence Police Department. Councilors also approved an increase to the elderly exemption, giving senior citizens a break on their property taxes while other costs of living are dramatically rising. The finance committee also calls for hiring a full-time qualified fire chief.
“Our families are faced with rising inflation costs, from groceries to gas. And while we all appreciate increased home values, it was important for the Council to crunch the numbers and lessen the tax burden on our single-family, multi-family, and elderly homeowners without sacrificing city services,” said Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan. “This collaborative budget puts more police in our neighborhoods and funds diversion programs and social service agencies to help with mental and substance abuses. There is a need for a fire chief in a city the size of Providence. Rank and file firefighters who have not had a chief in 7 years deserve one, and so do our residents,” added Ryan.
“I want to thank Chairwoman Ryan and the Finance Committee for thoroughly vetting this budget. Reducing taxes from the mayor’s proposal, increasing the elderly exemption, and showing the city council is committed to developing the Superman building were important priorities,” said Council President John Igliozzi.
FY 2023 City Budget highlights:
- Residential property tax rate decreased to $17.80 per $1,000 (a decrease from the mayor’s proposal of $18.50 and the current rate of $24.56)
- *On average residential property values increased by 46%, according to the city’s internal auditor. There are 32,124 residential homes in the city.
- Commercial property tax rate decreased to $35.40 per $1,000, lower than the current rate of $36.70 (but an increase from the mayor’s proposal of $33.85)
- *On average commercial property values increased by 15%, according to the city’s internal auditor. There are 5,246 commercial properties in the city.
- Business tangible tax decreased to $53.40 per $1,000 (a decrease from the mayor’s proposal of $55.55 and the current rate of $55.80)
- Elderly tax exemption increased to $600 from $511
- Homestead exemption increased to 45% from the current 40% (matching the mayor’s proposal)
- Deadline for personal tax exemptions is extended from March 15 to December 31 (social security disability, service disability, blind exemption, veteran exemption, indigent exemption)
- Funded a new city police academy
- $5 million has been identified for the development of the Superman building (111 Westminster Street, should the development receive approval by the General Assembly and City Council)
- Provides funding for a full-time qualified fire chief hired at an annual salary of no more than $175,000
- Repurposes approximately $4 million in ARPA funds for small businesses or capital infrastructure improvements in our neighborhoods
The 2023 City Budget will now be presented to the full city council for final approval.
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by Council Staff | Jun 7, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
“Thank you to all the Providence residents who took the time and voted in today’s special election. Your voice counts. I believe the city should issue a pension obligation bond to help mitigate our struggling pension system. The overwhelmingly affirmative vote today is one more step in the process, which if passed next by the General Assembly, will place the city on a path to predictably budget pension payments and not crowd out essential city services that residents depend on.”
by Council Staff | Jun 2, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
June 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Reparations Commission
Providence, RI – At tonight’s City Council meeting, councilors appointed five new members to the Providence Municipal Reparations Commission. In 2022, Mayor Jorge Elorza formed the commission by executive order to provide recommendations on policies, programs, and projects to help heal the harm caused to Black, Indigenous people, and people of Color in Providence. $10 million in American Rescue Plan funds have been allocated to this work. The commission comprises 13 members, with seven members appointed by the mayor and six by the city council. New appointees include Kyle Bennet, Dewayne Hackney, Cristian Potter, Michael Costa, and Phyllis Evans. The city council previously appointed Dwayne Keys. “These individuals, who are all deeply committed to our community, will bring their life experiences to the commission and help shape thoughtful ideas the city can then implement,” said Councilwoman and Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). “The council took a thorough approach in selecting these commission members, and I thank them for serving the city,’ said Council President John Igliozzi. “It is vitally important, and I look forward to the commission establishing a generational trust so present, and future Providence residents can access and utilize these funds.” To learn more about the commission, click here.
Illegal Sale of Fireworks
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) proposed a resolution calling on the State of Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation to begin enforcement actions against any businesses selling illegal aerial fireworks. “Providence neighborhoods have been terrorized by the illegal use of fireworks for several summers now. That is why in the early summer of 2020, I convened a group of city stakeholders to discuss this quality of life nuisance and identified three main areas that needed to be addressed: public education on what is and isn’t legal; licensing enforcement for businesses that are illegally selling fireworks; and a coordinated effort by public safety officials to focus on hot spots or problematic areas. As a result of the diligent efforts of the Fireworks Task Force, over the past few years, the city was able to make a significant reduction in the use of illegal fireworks that had been disrupting and endangering our neighborhoods,” Ryan said. “I look forward to building on this progress as we head into another summer, and I thank our local law enforcement and fire officials for their work every day to maintain the quality of life and public safety of our community. I am now calling on DBR to follow our lead and do what they can to mitigate another component of this issue; the illegal sale of fireworks,” said Ryan. In Rhode Island, ground-based fireworks and sparklers are legal, but aerial fireworks and anything that explodes are not allowed without a permit. There are businesses throughout the state and within the City of Providence that is currently offering illegal fireworks for sale to the public. The Department of Business Regulation has the authority to take enforcement action against any business entity selling illegal fireworks. To report the use of illegal fireworks in Providence or file a complaint, call the police department’s non-emergency line (401) 272-3121 or use its online reporting system.
Community Development Block Grants
Councilors passed for a second and final time $5.5 million in community development block grant funding (CDBG), federal money that will immediately impact Providence neighborhoods. CDBG funding includes substantial support to community centers like Federal Hill House and provides grants for economic development and public service programs across the city. Many public service grants help with unemployment, homelessness, public health, clothing insecurity, music education, and domestic violence resources/emergency housing. Some beneficiaries include established providers like Amos House, Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, and the Rhode Island Free Clinic. A breakdown of CDBG funds can be found here.
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by Council Staff | Jun 1, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Ward-7
“I would like to thank Speaker Shekarchi and Representatives in the House who supported this legislation with their votes today. We are one step closer, and now I respectfully ask members of the Senate and the public to keep an open mind toward this legislation. A pension obligation bond does not solve the city’s pension problems but will help mitigate a broken system. A special election is set for next Tuesday, June 7. Residents can cast an early ballot at city hall during the day. I would encourage all to come out and vote Yes on 1.”
For more information on the referendum – https://www.providenceri.gov/yeson1/
To learn more about where to vote – https://www.providenceri.gov/board-of-canvassers/
by Council Staff | May 27, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
May 27, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Vandalized Monument Rededicated to Providence WWI Soldier Killed in Action
Providence, RI – On Friday, the Providence City Council and City Archives dedicated a new monument to U.S. Army Infantry soldier, Private 1st Class Carlo Lafazia, killed in action during World War I. Lafazia was born in 1897 to Italian immigrants who settled on Admiral Street in Providence’s Elmhurst/Wanskuck neighborhood. Lafazia enlisted in the U.S. Army’s 16th Infantry Regiment in 1917. The regiment was one of the first American battalions to land on French soil. Private Lafazia was killed on October 11, 1918, in France, fighting in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, a final Allied assault against the Germans that eventually ended the Great War one month later. Lafazia was 20 years old, and his remains were never found.
Private Lafazia was called an “emblem of Italian loyalty to the Stars and Stripes,” and in 1933, the Providence Board of Aldermen honored Lafazia by naming memorial square after him. The original monument was vandalized and, more recently, in 2021. A new stone was procured by Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14), with the help of donations and City Archivist Caleb Horton managing the project. “When this monument went missing and later vandalized, it became a priority for me to create a new memorial for Private Lafazia and his Providence descendants, the O’Connor family,” said Councilor Salvatore. “Like all our fallen heroes, Private Lafazia’s service to our country and his ultimate sacrifice should be honored, respected, and remembered forever in our neighborhood and state.”
“Italian Americans served our country and city honorably. As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, let us never forget the sacrifice of young soldiers for our freedoms today. This stone monument is an incredible tribute to Private Lafazia, a son of Providence. I thank Councilor Salvatore for taking the initiative and Archivist Caleb Horton for executing such a thoughtful plan,” said Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7).
Donations for the Lafazia monument located at Eagle Square (intersection of Douglas Avenue and Admiral Street) were generously provided by Richard Baccari and the Rhode Island Heritage Foundation. A donation account is now established for future city monument preservation. For details, please reach out to the City Archives division at 401.680.5314 or https://www.providenceri.gov/cityarchives/
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