Cranston City Council Begins Reworking Mayor’s Revised Budget After Emotional Hearing – VIDEO

With a packed City Council chamber at Cranston City Hall and more than 1,300 viewers watching on YouTube, residents voiced deep concern Thursday night over the stark budget cuts facing the city. Whether the final tax levy increase lands above 7%, at 5.5%, or at the mayor’s proposed 4% cap, officials acknowledged significant cuts to city services appear unavoidable.

Most of the testimony came from volunteers, recipients, and staff of the Cranston Senior Center. The stories were heartfelt and reflected the emotional scene playing out at the Center in the last two days. Stories of tears and panic not only in the daily programs of the Center, but from the day care center families who place their loved ones with physical problems as well as dementia and Alzheimers in the care of the Center during the day.

There was a vote taken at the end of the meeting, which went for over 4 hours, was to approve a request for a 5.5% increase. A revised budget will be looked at in further meetings.

After testimony, council members noted, “4.65% will not really solve the problem” – and “we will need to find more cuts” “5.5% won’t do it either”. While it was unanimous to restore the Senior Center, cuts will need to be found elsewhere. The Resolution presently states: “…One-Year Levy Cap Exemption for Fiscal Year 2027 Not to Exceed Five and One-Half Percent (5.5%)”.

Cuts were suggested in police car replacement, restoring some school funding, even reducing money spent on postage for legal mailings to the point where a councilperson said, “if we’re going to debate every single line item – like $5,000 for postage, we’re never going to make it”.

Another motion was made to remove the entire Economic Development department and to move the duties to the Deputy Chief of Staff. The city’s Auditor said to eliminate the entire function would save approximately $130K. No one spoke on restoring the department, though Councilman Andujar spoke on the importance of the Latino staff member who holds the job and how important he is to the Latino community. as they had on elimination of police cars and other items. Anthony Moretti said there is no position to move the person to right now, perhaps in the Teamsters. Moretti noted that there is at least one other person in the City Hall, HR Director Favicchio, who does speak Spanish. Councilperson Haroian reiterated that the department is non-functional, city is losing money and no money is coming in. Councilman Bounanno said the person in the department is a nice person who has not been put in a position to succeed – and that the functions of the office should be robust.  He also suggested that “we could make a mini-Route 2” outside of the prison area where much development is occurring.

Council members also discussed eliminating office supply budgets for two departments, underscoring the increasingly desperate measures being considered as officials search for millions of dollars in additional reductions.

There is another Special City Council meeting TONIGHT, Friday, May 15th at 6pm