Special Cranston City Council Budget Meeting – May 14, 2026

The Cranston City Council held a special meeting on May 14, 2026, to address the FY2026-27 budget, public testimony, and a series of amendments. The meeting covered the legal timeline conflict between the city charter (May 15 deadline) and state law (requiring 10-day published notice of tax rate), the receipt of a Department of Revenue exemption allowing a 4.65% levy increase, and extensive public comment opposing cuts to senior services and school funding. The council voted to raise the tax levy to 4.65%, approved multiple spending reductions, and passed a resolution seeking state authorization for a levy cap up to 4.99%.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jonathan Francis (Cranston Firefighters Local 1363 President) : Expressed that firefighters have offered $1.2 million in concessions to preserve services, but the administration did not respond. Noted that overtime budget has been static since 2015 despite rising calls (12,000 runs in 2012 to 18,000 currently). Stated firefighters continue to serve despite working conditions.
• Nora Grady (bookkeeper, Cranston Senior Center) : Reported the senior center budget has fallen from ~$3.5M six years ago to $2.6M. Stated the mayor’s claimed $1.2 million found for the center would not fully fund operations, forcing closure of adult daycare and nutrition programs. Emphasized the center provides the only hot meal each day for many seniors.
• Javi Dupery (Cranston resident, senior center user) : Described the emotional toll on seniors, including veterans and children who benefit from programs. Urged the council not to close the center.
• Marcia Fowler, Sherry Delagrata, Candace Gavin, Mary Medina, Jennifer Caborkian, and others : Shared personal stories of seniors relying on adult day services, meals, and transportation. Argued cuts would cause isolation, health declines, and caregiver burnout. Many called the center a lifeline.
• Steve Steichos (former councilman) : Criticized capital budget items such as $110,000 for tasers, $450,000 for Fay Field lights, $2 million for a track, and $3 million for citywide improvements. Suggested using rainy day fund cautiously to avoid bond rating downgrades. Proposed raising tax on solar farms.
• Robert Ferry (former councilman) : Accused the mayor of lacking transparency and called for deeper cuts beyond the proposed 5.5% levy. Said the city cannot continue borrowing and spending.
• Kathy Crowley (School Committee member) : Stated level funding schools is effectively a cut; seven roofs and HVAC systems need replacement. Warned of personnel layoffs, school closures, and increased class sizes.
• John Thompson (Cranston Teacher Alliance Vice President) : Argued teachers and school staff did not create the deficit. Noted level funding is an educational cut due to rising costs (transportation, special education, utilities). Urged partnership with the city.
• Janice Rajuri (former school committee member) : Blamed the mayor for quadrupling the deficit and criticized lack of financial oversight. Suggested the mayor resign. Also noted the council’s finance committee was not meeting regularly.
• Barbara Ann Fenton Fung (former Cranston mayor) : Called the administration’s budget deplorable. Urged eliminating administrative positions (e.g., communications director, driver) and preserving senior services and school funding.
• Multiple other speakers (including Bob Stahlbush, Yvette Grillon, Jennifer Colasante, David Quirr, Sandy Pliskin) emphasized the human cost of cuts, especially for seniors, and called for finding savings elsewhere (e.g., capital items, administrative salaries).

Discussion Items

• Legal Timeline (Attorney Marcelo) : Explained the city charter requires final budget action by May 15, but state law (Property Tax and Fiscal Disclosure Act) requires a public hearing on a proposed tax increase with 10 days’ published notice, which was not done. Recommended adopting the budget subject to state law compliance, with a continued hearing on June 1. Advised the council can change the budget between May 15 and June 1.
• Department of Revenue Exemption (Director Moretti) : Announced the city received authorization to exceed the 4% levy cap to 4.65% (an additional ~$1,248,361), requiring an 80% (8/9) council vote. Presented the mayor’s request for a 5.5% increase to fund $1.5M additional for schools and ~$1.8M for the senior center, but noted that exceeding 5% would require additional advertising, hearings, and state approval. The council’s legal counsel (Attorney Marcelo) confirmed that going above 5% triggers extra procedural steps.
• Council Amendments (voted as blocks):
  • Levy increase: Approved increase from 4% to 4.65% (motion by Councilman Anduhar, vote 9-0).
  • Block 1 – Various cuts (legal, IT, treasury, fire, police cars): After debate, the $200,000 reduction for police cruisers was voted separately (6-3 in favor); other items passed unanimously.
  • Block 2 – Economic Development Department elimination (motion by Councilman Ritz): Passed 9-0 to zero out entire department (~$129,000 in salaries and expenses). Functions to be reassigned to Deputy Chief of Staff.
  • Block 3 – Parks & Recreation cuts (motion by Councilman Campopiano): Reduced pool attendant wages, playground attendant wages (to 15:1 ratio vs. proposed 10:1), payroll taxes, and tree/shrub line item. Passed 9-0.
  • Block 4 – Executive office cuts (motion by Councilwoman Graziano): Zeroed out part-time help ($3,000) and reduced office supplies ($2,000) to prior year level. Passed 9-0.
  • Fire overtime reduction (motion by Councilman Traficante): Reduced fire overtime from $6.3M to $6.2M ($100K cut). Noted this came from administration’s recommendation. Passed 9-0.
  • Impact fees (motion by Councilman ?): Reduced police rent line item by $43,000 (amount of Cranston East/West impact fees). Passed 9-0.
• Resolution for Levy Cap Exemption (sponsored by Council President Wall): Originally sought 5.5% cap exemption from General Assembly; amended to 4.99% to avoid additional procedural requirements (motion by Councilman Ritz). Passed 9-0. Director Moretti noted this would allow up to ~$656,000 more in revenue beyond the 4.65%.

Key Outcomes

• Levy Increase to 4.65%: Approved 9-0, utilizing Department of Revenue authorization. This adds ~$1,248,361 in revenue.
• Budget amendments: Multiple spending reductions totaling over $500,000 were approved, including elimination of the Economic Development Department, cuts to police cruisers ($200,000), parks wages, fire overtime ($100,000), and various line items. These reductions are intended to free up funds for senior services and schools.
• Continued budget process: The council voted unanimously to continue the amendment process to May 15, 2026, and to extend adoption hearings to June 1, 2026 to comply with state law.
• Resolution for state levy cap exemption: Approved as amended to 4.99%, providing a ceiling for potential further increases if needed, but subject to General Assembly approval and additional public hearing requirements if the levy exceeds 5%.
• Next steps: The council will resume amendments and budget adoption on May 15, with a final public hearing and possible further changes on June 1. The administration will research grant opportunities for police vehicles and provide a schedule of replacement needs.