Providence tax rate increase approved by City Council, mayor could veto hike - PBN.com

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Published online July 29, 2010

Government

Providence tax rate increase approved by City Council, mayor could veto hike

By PBN Staff

PROVIDENCE – The property tax rate in the capital city will rise if the levy passed by the City Council Wednesday stands.

But Mayor David N. Cicilline has threatened to veto the $284 million levy passed by the council with an 8-7 vote.

“This is absolutely not the time to impose any additional financial burdens on Providence residents, many of whom are already struggling to get by,” Cicilline said in a statement.

His press office did not respond to calls seeking additional information.

The levy approved Wednesday raises the residential property rate to $30.38 per $1,000 of assessed value from $24.24. The commercial property tax rate would increase to $33.70 per $1,000 of assessed value from $28.60.

But the City Council said tax bills for many residents would actually decrease thanks to property re-evaluations. In a news release, the council said an average owner of a single-family home he lives in will pay about $400 less in taxes.

But landlords have cried foul over a provision that eliminates a tax break for non-owner occupied rental homes. The council’s levy ends a break that allows landlords to exempt the first 33 percent of the property’s tax assessment. Landlords say the end of the provision will lead to higher rents at a time when city residents are already struggling amidst a tough economy.

The city needs to set a tax rate by July 30 to meet an August deadline to send out property tax bills.

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On 7/30/10 at 02:58 AM, Jack from wrote:

Perhaps Providence should switch to a City Management Municipal System of governing .... with the Council President running citywide, representing the aggregate populous and lower the number of Council Wards and a modest increase in the contiguous, 1 man/1 vote concept.

Notwithstanding the fact that Providence remains unique in Mayoral appointments to the School Committee, an experiment should be implemented that has School Committee's as 'Advisory Boards, only and a special negotiator that is expert in school administration, as an exponent of the Administration.

From a statewide, legislative enacted proposal, it appears a solid, substantial approach should be looked at for 1 - school system contract that considers suburban, urban and rural school systems/districts.

All pension systems both local and state, must be thoroughly reviewed to come into sync with the private sector as cost effective and financially sound from an investment perspective.

Additionally, Health Care Plans must replicate their parity as in the business world, where the comparison of commerce versus community has to be narrower and closer in relations to an overall productive and more efficient model of operation and governmental maintenance.

The ol' cliche, Rome is burning and the Emperor's is fiddling is so applicable to the rough times and down-trodden economy nationwide and across New England, especially in our beloved Ocean State.

It's quite obvious that progressive applications (cost analyses) have to be made - meaning for the current leaders and decision-makers giving-up a few things and sharing the benefits with the system in place - to bring back the opportunities for job availability (tax policies), modest and fair working conditions (wages & benfits) in governement service - remember, it's PUBLIC SERVICE! - , a safe and secure ( law enforcement) Rhode Island environment and a new attitude that we can be better starts to be come the norm.

Yes, we ALL can do it!

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