Cranston Mayor Hopkins announces $3 million budget surplus

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE)- Mayor Hopkins announced that the City of Cranston ended the fiscal year on June 30 with a $3 million operating surplus.

The City had a surplus of $700,000 and the Schools department reported a surplus of $2.3 million.

Hopkins stated that, “This good news for the Cranston taxpayers was relayed to the City Council at its regular council meeting this evening by my finance team and auditing firm, Marcum LLP.”

“Almost a year ago when I took office, I pledged that my top priority would be to protect Cranston taxpayers and properly manage their money.” Hopkins continued, “We hit the ground running, continued to implement sound financial practices and have received an unqualified opinion of good fiscal management.” Hopkins said, “I take seriously my responsibility to insure the proper and effective spending of taxpayer funds. Our current budget is $311 million budget and requires daily effective leadership to live within our means and keep the cost of our city government down for the taxpayers.”

Mayor Hopkins expressed appreciation to the Finance Director, Robert Strom, and City Controller, Michael Igoe as well as both departments for their help in gaining these results.

Hopkins also showed appreciation to Cranston city employees saying, “who each day dedicate themselves to helping residents and keeping the wheels of government running. We all recognize that working in the last twenty-one months, during this historic pandemic, has been a great challenge for local businesses, restaurants, schools and governments.”

Hopkins shared a message to the community saying, “We will continue best practices to wisely invest tax dollars, keep spending in check and keep taxes affordable for all residents and families.”