Budget Increase Adopted In East Providence

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — A 2.3-percent budget increase has been adopted in East Providence. The budget became law without the mayor's signature. Mayor Bob DaSilva said he did not support the budget, citing "drastic cuts" to the human resources budget and no increase in the homestead exemption.

"While I have the utmost respect for the City Council and the budget process, I could not in good conscience approve this budget," said DaSilva.

The $188 million budget includes an additional $700,000 for police and fire pensions, $950,000 for school construction and maintenance projects. It also includes $1.4 million in debt service payments.

"In spite of care and effort during this budget process, some actions taken on the last day of the City Council's hearings were made without a full understanding of the challenging impact those cuts will have on a well-functioning government," said DaSilva in a statement.

He said that cuts in the human resources budget took away funding for some training, recruitment and retention, postage and everyday office supplies.

"The most valuable resource that any employer has are its employees," said DaSilva. "When we invest in our employees, we gain positive workforce morale and ultimately greater service to our community."

DaSilva had also proposed to increase the homestead exemption from 13 percent to 13.5 percent, but that proposal was denied by the council.