Providence finance overhaul

By Dana Griffin

dgriffin@abc6.com

@DanaGriffinABC6

PROVIDENCE, R I- Holding onto a promise to create a “New Providence”, Mayor Jorge Elorza announced big changes to the city to help close the $85 million dollar cumulative deficit– expected over the next 5 fiscal years.

“The days of one–time fixes and papering over Providence‘s long–term problems– those days are long over. We cannot just tax our way out of this either,” said Elorza.

Elorza announced he will reorganize the Providence fire department with new shift schedules to eliminate one of four platoons.

Fire Union President, Paul Doughty said, “So, for a regular 40–hour a week worker, that’s like saying come in Saturday for 8 hours, come in Sunday for 5 hours but we’re not paying you anymore money, and we just don’t think that’s fair.”

Elorza says fire fighters won’t expect layoffs and it’ll save the city $5 million annually.

The plan will also redefine school department clerical duties, increase business permit and licensing fees by 10% and make paying for parking easier.

The city can gain about $2 million in revenue by changing the way we pay for parking. Instead of having to fish for coins, parking meters will be equipped to take debit and credit.

Public Financial Management did the assessment which predicts a continual structural deficit that will increase to $19 million by fiscal year 20–21.

For the first fiscal year, Mayor Elorza says these steps will only address 68-percent of the deficit problem.

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