Smiley presents 2026 Providence budget
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Mayor Brett Smiley presented his proposed fiscal year 2026 budget for the City of Providence on Wednesday.
Smiley said the proposed $624 million budget “reduced essential spending in nearly every department, prioritized the identification of new revenue sources, and proposes a modest increase to residential property tax bills.“
To get there we had to make serious reductions. After a thorough review of our finances, we reduced operating and supply expenses in nearly every department. As a result, we were able to lower the tax increase we feared was necessary to the lowest responsible rate. pic.twitter.com/71ujEcUQX5
— Mayor Brett Smiley (@PVDMayor) April 16, 2025
The mayor said that homeowners should expect an average 4% tax increase “that is an average monthly increase of about $13.”
To support our neighborhood businesses, the local restaurants and bodegas that are the backbone of our community, we have lowered their tax rate to the lowest level since 2009. pic.twitter.com/AnvdmwGTsu
— Mayor Brett Smiley (@PVDMayor) April 16, 2025
“Despite the financial shortcomings the city faced this year, this proposed budget reduces the tax rate across all types of property taxes,” the mayor’s office said.
He added his administration reduced funding for services and supply expenses in “nearly every city department,” removed 23 staffing positions, and reduced public safety overtime spending by $3.2 million as a result of increased staffing, which he said saved the city a combined $9 million.
The budget also increased the elderly exemption by 25% and proposed the lowest commercial tax rate since 2009.
The mayor added that the city will be establishing a multi-department one-stop business center “that positions all of the supports and services a small business needs” as well as a singular city services hub for the most requested city services for residents.
“Despite the difficult cuts we had to make, my budget tonight continues to fund the resources our community relies on and proposes new physical and structural changes to multiple city departments to transform how we deliver city services,” Smiley said.
The full budget proposal can be found here.
