No tax increase in Mayor Smiley’s proposed budget for next fiscal year

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Mayor Brett Smiley delivered his proposed budget for the next fiscal year in Providence City Council chambers Wednesday evening.

The $598 million budget proposal did not include any tax increase for residents or businesses, representing a 3% increase from the last fiscal year and focusing on the housing crisis and education, with a three million dollar increase for Providence Public Schools.

It also emphasized public safety, including funding for training more than 70 new police officers between now and spring 2025.

“This budget and our recently negotiated budget with the FOP does just that,” Smiley said. “So tonight I am calling on the city council to approve that contract, and that budget which once again includes funding for another police academy.”

The Providence City Council has to vote on the proposed budget by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.