Special Council Meeting – Mayor Smiley Presents FY2027 Budget – April 15, 2026

The Providence City Council held a special meeting on April 15, 2026, to hear Mayor Brett Smiley's proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting opened with an invocation by Councilwoman Althea Graves, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Jill Davidson, and a roll call showing 14 members present (Councilwoman Ana Vargas absent). The council unanimously voted to waive and receive agenda items one and two, then recessed briefly to escort the mayor to the chamber.

Budget Presentation

Mayor Smiley delivered a detailed budget proposal emphasizing that it does not raise taxes or increase fines. Key investments and initiatives include:

• A rent relief program providing emergency grants of up to $3,000 for tenants in crisis, along with no-cost eviction defense and tenant education.
• Two new code enforcement positions to hold landlords accountable for safe housing.
• A $25 million housing bond placed on the November ballot to boost affordable housing production.
• Full staffing of the police force, three police academies in three years, and a Real-Time Crime Center that helped bring violent crime to its lowest level in 30 years.
• Modernization of the fire department, including new rescue vehicles and digitized records.
• Two new positions to hold utility companies accountable for road repairs after they perform work.
• A Green Revolving Fund dedicated to renewable energy and decarbonization of city buildings.
• Expanded after-school opportunities, new school facilities (Ace Messer, Mount Pleasant, Lima Stewart, Mary Fogarty, Robert F. Kennedy), and universal pre-K access.
• A new cultural festivals fund and increased investment in community libraries.

The mayor also highlighted accomplishments since taking office: over 2,000 new housing units built, 11 miles of roads fixed, 650 sidewalks completed, 5,000 potholes filled, and over $14 million invested in parks and green spaces in 2025. He noted the city's proactive responses to federal actions on SNAP benefits, immigration enforcement, and education funding, including lawsuits and executive orders protecting immigrants and food access.

Procedural Matters

Following the budget presentation, the council suspended Rule 16B to allow consideration of items four through ten on the print docket. A motion to waive reading of those items and lay them on the table passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• The council received the mayor's proposed budget (items one and two).
• A motion to suspend the rules and lay items four through ten on the table was approved.
• The meeting adjourned with no further business.