Updated: Cranston kerfuffle deepens

UPDATED: We are following the developments in Cranston as budget negotiations/approval devolve with amendments, vetoes, overrides, and public statements between the Mayor and the City Council members develop. Homeowners on social media focus on any new taxes coming their way, with commitments by the Mayor and City Council that that will not happen. Notably, while home evaluations have soared, the tax rate was cut from $20.77 to $18.21, so modest tax increases, and even some tax decreases can be expected as people see their homes go up in value by several tens of thousands, on average.

We are following the issue closely.

Last night (May 11), Ward 6 Councilman Matthew R. Reilly, issued this statement:

“Cranston Ward 6 Councilman Matthew R. Reilly, today distanced himself from the City Council’s recent budget veto overrides and expressed concern for the lack of financial responsibility shown by some of his fellow members of the City Council.

“In a very calculated and orchestrated manner, certain members of the Council collaborated to ensure cushy raises or other financial benefits for specific individuals at the expense of the Cranston Taxpayer,” Reilly stated.

Reilly explained that one amendment provided a 75% pay increase to a brand-new part-time employee from $24,000 to $42,000 annually. While debating the issue at the recent Council meeting, Reilly stated, “Voting yes to this is a slap in the face to the taxpayers of Cranston.”

A second amendment which Reilly highlighted provides for an additional $59,969 to a single, entry-level employee for only an additional ten hours of work each week. Reilly stated, “No one that is truly looking out for the taxpayer could vote for such an unnecessary increase, with no corresponding increase in productivity or services for the people of Cranston.”

“Thankfully we had a budget with no tax increases to start with from Mayor Hopkins. I am also pleased that despite certain financial moves I disagree with, that we were able to hold the line on taxes for the people of Cranston.” After the year we have had, the people of Cranston deserve nothing less. There are no longer any questions. To see who will truly protect the taxpayers of this city, people do not have to look further than this budget process. I am proud to have stood with the taxpayers of Cranston against the mainstream, as I always will.”

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UPDATED: In a two hour Special Meeting of the Cranston City Council, all of the vetoes of Mayor Hopkins to the amendments to the budget proposed by the Council were overridden. None of the votes of the Council were close, and most were unanimous. At one point, Councilwoman Germain chastised committee members who began to question some items such as the 75% increase in a part time attorney’s salary and the addition of full benefits, as well as adding a bilingual person to the Board of Canvassers in an off-election year. Councilman John Donegan, who led the Democratic opposition, said, “The City Council just voted to override each of Mayor Hopkins’ vetos.” Germain posted in response: “We just did it!! We are working for the people.”

At one point during the meeting, Donegan said he was disappointed in the Mayor’s veto statement (printed below), believing it was directed to him, saying “rather than extending his arm to meet mine, he spit in my face”.

In a statement released immediately after the meeting, Mayor Hopkins responded:

“The decision of the Cranston City Council to override the veto messages that I exercised for the adopted 2021-2022 budget passed last week is both disappointing and concerning to me as Chief Executive. Their actions tonight are a loss for the taxpayers of our city.

I had proposed a balanced no tax increase budget. In failing to sustain my vetoes, they have reaffirmed a budget with the creation of an unnecessary position in the Board of Canvassers; paid a part-time lawyer $42,000 with a 75% pay increase; overestimated revenue expected in the next fiscal year; and established a slush fund for city council spending with little disclosed expenditures.

As Mayor, I will take the necessary steps to preserve our financial health and protect Cranston taxpayers. The City Council fell short of their responsibility this evening.”

The Mayor did not clearly state there will be no tax increases now – RINewsToday has requested a clarification.

This is a developing story.

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A special meeting had been called of the Cranston City Council to consider an override of the Mayor’s vetoes to several items in the proposed budget voted on by the Council, highlighted below. C

The Cranston City Council released a statement on May 7th, announcing the unanimous approval of the amended FY2022 budget for the city of Cranston, indicating bipartisan support. The “Cranston City Council Democrats Invest in Community” statement noted three new items:

1. A full time Bilingual Elections Specialist in the Board of Canvassers to ensure that elections are more accessible.
2. $20,000 in Parks & Recs for program aid to assist low-income families in sending their children to summer camps and programs.
3. $10,000 for a Diversity Commission to offer programs and training.

On May 10th, Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins released a statement, saying that he was “pleased that the city council embraced my no tax increase budget”, noting that his priorities were to:

1. Be committed to not raising taxes on homeowners/small businesses even in this evaluation year.
2. Ensuring the effective delivery of city services
3. Protecting Cranston neighborhoods (includes hiring 4 police offices and 15 firefighters)
4. Adequately funding Cranston schools

The budget includes upgrading Cranston’s infrastructure with the repaving of streets, drainage improvements and other essential public works services, as well as $1.5 million to improve schools, including rebuilding of Garden City School and Gladstone School.

Hopkins responded to some of the City Council members proposals, saying, “My finance team gave careful scrutiny to revenue estimates and some council members tinkered with them for personal pet projects.” “It was clearly partisan pettiness for the council minority leader to chip away at the budget in my office while padding the council personal budget and special appropriations with tax dollars.”

Mayor Hopkins’ line-item budget vetos have been submitted to the city council.

The council is scheduled to review these actions at a special meeting of the council on Monday, May 10th.

From the Cranston City Council Democrats:

From Mayor Hopkins:

Hopkins Praises Approval of No-Tax Increase Budget by City Council

Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins has generally applauded the newly adopted city budget approved by the city council on May 6, 2021. In a marathon six-hour session, the council members approved a $311 Million budget for Cranston for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021.

“I am very pleased that the city council embraced my no tax increase budget to meet the needs of our residents, city operations and Cranston schools,” said Hopkins.

“On April 1st I outlined my priorities and basic goals for my first budget as Cranston’s newly elected mayor.” Hopkins noted those priorities included (1) not raising taxes as Cranston moved beyond this historic pandemic period, (2) ensuring the effective delivery of city services, (3) protecting Cranston neighborhoods and (4) adequately funding Cranston schools.

“First and foremost, the council affirmed my strongest belief that we needed to hold the line on taxes,” said Hopkins. “As we emerge from an historic health crisis that impacted so many families and sectors of our community, I committed to not raising taxes on homeowners and small businesses even in this revaluation year. This approved budget will generally allow my administration to continue the vital operations of government that will include the hiring of four police officers and fifteen firefighters to protect our neighborhoods and insure first rate public safety services.”

Hopkins noted that the new budget will allow his personal commitment to upgrade Cranston’s infrastructure with the repaving of streets, drainage improvements and other essential public works services. “Our residents will continue to see the tangible results of our efforts in our various areas of Cranston like the revitalization of the Rolfe Street area and our next improvement project in Knightsville.”

The Mayor noted the largest percentage of the approved budget reflects his increase in city dollars to Cranston schools. “The new school budget totals over $169 Million or nearly 55% of the overall approved budget.” He said, “I proposed, and the council approved the largest increase for our students and schools in over a decade.” “In a year when the state will likely underfund the needs of our children and staff with a paltry increase of $36,000, I stepped up and gave the school committee and increase of $1.5 million in local tax dollars.”

“My approved school budget will help every school and teacher and most importantly, our students to continue to receive the best education they deserve”. Hopkins stated, “We have also funded the critical start to building new schools at Garden City and Gladstone.”

Mayor Hopkins applauded Republican council members Brady and Renzulli for leading the discussion for funding a position in the Building Inspections department that he believes will add value to the businesses and homeowners of the city. The first year Mayor also expressed disappointment on some of the city council decisions in amending the budget. “Some of the special interest proposals approved are concerning to me.”

Hopkins noted some council members used the opportunity to increase revenues that were carefully proposed with conservative outlooks if the economy should ever slow down. “My finance team gave careful scrutiny to revenue estimates and some council members tinkered with them for personal pet projects.”

Mayor Hopkins said he has looked at several budget changes and approved expenditures and has presented the council with several vetoes as allowed under the city charter.
He noted some of the concerning actions by the council included:

1. An $18,000 pay increase for the part time city council lawyer. “To increase the part time legal counsel’s pay by 75% only four months after he took the position and after he knew his compensation is very disturbing,” said Hopkins.
2. Adding a full-time position in the Canvassing Department in a non-election year when other city departments had their requests denied by the mayor’s finance team. “In a year when I demanded departments to do more with less, the council has added an unnecessary position,” said Hopkins. “I am committed to proper staffing at election time but we shouldn’t make budget decisions on who cries the most.”

3. The use of $167,834 in Capital Facilities Impact Fees from the recreation trust fund for routine maintenance expenses for the Cranston’s bike path. “This approved expenditure violates our subdivision regulations and state law.” Hopkins emphasized that impact fees are collected from new subdivisions for the expansion of Cranston’s municipal capital facilities. “The expenditures must directly relate to mitigation of the impacts of residential growth in the city,” emphasized Hopkins. “Some council members think we should spend those trust fund dollars on spraying for weeds on the bike path.” While in favor of appropriate bike path upkeep he said those are routine maintenance issues that do not meet the threshold for a capital expenditure.
4. A reduction of $3,900 in mayoral line items to fund city council pet projects. “It was clearly partisan pettiness for the council minority leader to chip away at the budget in my office while padding the council personal budget and special appropriations with tax dollars. Even when Councilwoman Renzulli suggested to restore the funds based on increased revenue proposed, some council members refused to fund the needs of my office for identified community projects.”
   

Mayor Hopkins’ line-item budget vetos have been submitted to the city council. The council is scheduled to review these actions at a special meeting of the council on Monday, May 10th.

Special City Council Meeting – 5-6pm:

Purpose: To consider override of any Mayoral vetoes of any increases, decreases or additional appropriations approved by the Council in the 2021-2022 Budget. (Votes to be taken)

Virtual ZOOM Webinar Meeting

Topic: Special Council meeting
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87287657193?pwd=V0xVdmVhd20zTDVVbEJUZzYyelVhQT09
Passcode: 023950
Or One tap mobile :
US: +13017158592,,87287657193#,,,,023950# or +13126266799,,87287657193#,,,,023950#
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0276 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0282 (Toll Free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 872 8765 7193
Passcode: 023950

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Cranston City Council

Councilman Robert J. Ferri	Councilwoman Jessica M. Marino
2426 Cranston St.	799 Natick Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920	Cranston, RI 02920
[email protected]	[email protected]
Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli	Councilwoman Lammis J. Vargas
54 Massachusetts St.	35 Betsey Williams Dr.
Cranston, RI 02920	Cranston, RI 02910
[email protected]	[email protected]
Councilwoman Aniece Germain	Councilman John P. Donegan
63 Dale Ave.	60 Packard St.
Cranston, RI 02910	Cranston, RI 02910
[email protected]	[email protected]
Councilman Matthew R. Reilly	Council Vice-President Edward J. Brady
27 Dellwood Rd.	12 Thunder Trail
Cranston, RI 02920	Cranston, RI 02921
[email protected]	[email protected]
Council President Christopher G. Paplauskas
14 Highland St.
Cranston, RI  02920
[email protected]

This is a developing story.