City council gives final vote to reallocate ARPA money to fund Providence schools

Bella Pelletiere,

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence City Council granted final passage to three ordinances to meet the funding obligations to the Providence Public School District.

Providence city councilors said this passage prevents cuts to essential services like bus passes and after school activities.

The three ordinances reallocated money from the American Rescue Plan Act, which needs to be utilized ahead of December 31.

According to Josh Estrella, spokesperson for Mayor Brett Smiley, officials began payments for the $15 million settlement this week.

The rest of the settlement will be paid off in monthly installments over the next seven months.

While there are no cuts being made at this time, Providence remains in a hiring and non-essential spending freeze until June.

Estrella also broke down where the money is coming from;

  • $1 million Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Lifespan.
  • $4 million reallocated general revenue, which replaced funds with ARPA revenue recovery.
  • $3 million in energy credits.
  • $5 million from legal accrual.
  • $2 million in cuts, including reductions in hiring, over-time and essential spending.

Thursday marked the city council’s last meeting of the calendar year.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 4.

The council also granted final passage to a tax stabilization agreement for a new adaptive reuse housing development on Manton Ave, while also passing an ordinance that modifies zoning regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to comply with state law.

The changes in the ordinance include the adoption of the state’s ADU definitions, spatial requirements, and parking minimum exceptions.

The council also passed a resolution introduced by Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez that declares support for the unionization efforts of medical residents at Brown University Health and Care New England.

Categories: News

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