East Prov Mayor DaSilva Allows Budget to Pass Without Signature

East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva has decided to allow the first budget under the new Mayor-City Council form of government to become law without his signature.

“While I have the utmost respect for the City Council and the budget process, I could not in good conscience approve this budget,” said DaSilva.

The City Council and the new Mayor have been at odds on a number of fronts, including the fiscal strategy for the city.

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The Budget

The FY 2019-2020 budget included two new lines of funding including $1.4 million in debt service payments for the new high school and $950,000 for school construction, maintenance and repairs.

An additional $700,000 was allocated to the police and fire pensions to ensure the fiscal stability of the pension fund.

The budget is a 2.3 percent increase over the previous year and sets the city’s operating expenses, including the school department, to $188 million.

A new tax rate will be set in the spring.

“The most valuable resource that any employer has are its employees. When we invest in our employees, we gain positive workforce morale and ultimately greater service to our community,” DaSilva said.

According to his press release, DaSilva is going to continue to introduce an increase to the homestead exemption and pledges to do so every year that he is mayor.

429 Too Many Requests

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