Special Committee on Ways and Means Hearing - April 28, 2026

The Special Committee on Ways and Means convened on April 28, 2026 at 5:34 PM. Chair Sanchez presided with four members present (Chair Sanchez, Vice Chair Taylor, Councilwoman Andewa, Councilwoman Graves) and one absent (Councilwoman Peterson), constituting a quorum. The committee reviewed the fiscal year 2027 budget proposals for the Department of People and Culture, the City Solicitor's Office, the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, and the Board of Elections, along with a presentation from USI on the city's medical plan.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to waive the reading of items one through five was moved by Councilwoman Ara (likely misspelling of Andewa? Transcript says "Councilwoman Ara, second by councilwoman Gray" – but Gray is likely Graves) and seconded, passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

Department of People and Culture (DPC)

• Chief People Officer Paul (last name not given) presented the department's budget as "responsible and disciplined." Key accomplishments include reform of the Providence Workplace Policy Manual, a 60% reduction in employee settlement cases, and hiring over 80 Providence High School graduates. The budget reflects a reorganization: 10 FTEs moved from HR Executive Administration to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) division, resulting in a 776% increase in DEIB expenditures but budget-neutral overall.
• Budget Officer Crystal Wimberg walked through each division:
  • DEIB: Salaries increased from $59,923 to $938,431 due to transfers. Discretionary costs include $14,000 for staff parking, $3,500 postage, $25,000 for private contractors (professional development), among others.
  • HR Executive Administration: Salaries reduced from $1M+ to $262,000 after transfers. $15,000 allocated for citywide learning and development, $15,000 for attorney labor fees.
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA): Total budget up 8.57%. One additional FTE (OSHA Manager) hired mid-year, funded through vacancies; now requested for FY27. Workers' compensation claims: 58 employees currently off, representing about 2.2% of the 2,604-person workforce. Average claim duration ~6 months; two employees approaching the 312-week (6.5-year) maximum for indemnity payments.
  • Total Rewards: Total expenditures increased by $3 million, mainly retiree medical insurance. Salaries show savings from staff changes. No new FTEs. Ongoing technology upgrades for benefits administration.
• Council members asked about professional development budgets ($25,000 for DEIB, $15,000 for citywide), workers' comp case management, and retiree education materials. Director noted a need for better Medicare transition guidance.

USI Medical Plan Presentation

• Kate Kennedy (Senior VP, USI) presented year-to-date medical plan experience. For the current fiscal year (through March), active medical claims annualized at $8.58M, retiree claims at $28.6M, workers' comp at $4.09M. Total projected costs $119.23M against a budget of $120.63M, leaving $1.4M under budget.
• Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Projections: Self-funded active plans: 3% increase; retiree plans: 6.5% increase; blended self-funded increase: 3.9%. Fully insured (post-65) plans: projected 10% increase from Blue Cross, leading to a total blended increase of 4.5%.
• Historical context: The self-insured model has been in place 50+ years; the 2016 budget was $100M vs. $120M today, a 20% increase over 10 years.
• Large claims: No claims exceeded $1 million (stop loss not hit). Dental renewal at 4%.
• Council questions focused on enrollment reduction in schools (due to audit) and the difference between self-funded and fully insured plans.

City Solicitor's Office (Law Department)

• Revenue: $100,000 (level funded). Total expenditures decreased ~7%. Salary budget: $2.92M for FY27 (increase of ~$93,000 for COLAs and steps). A new position of Law Clerk was proposed (unfunded; no pending candidates) to aid recruitment of attorneys awaiting bar passage. This would allow hiring mid-year if vacancies arise, without adding FTEs.
• Outside counsel costs (fees not classified) reduced due to improved retention and capacity. Payment of claims and damages budgeted at $6.6M, though actuals expected lower; $5M set aside for a specific settlement.
• The office currently has 16 attorneys with two vacancies. Recruitment challenges include salary competition with other public sector entities (state of RI, Massachusetts, Connecticut). Director noted difficulty hiring law graduates before bar results.

Department of Art, Culture and Tourism

• Director Joe Wilson Jr. presented. Revenue ($100,000) from payroll reimbursement and event fees. Total services/supplies up $63,000 (3.6%). No new funded FTEs, but a Nightlife Manager position is requested to be funded if grant money becomes available. The department manages events, public art, and permits. Recent successes: 6 new murals, 50+ art interventions. A major summer 2026 event: PVD Fan Zone for FIFA World Cup (sanctioned as of last week). The nightlife economy in Providence is a $990 million sector.
• Council members asked about the lack of budgeted Nightlife Manager; director cited capacity constraints and desire to set position up for success. World Cup preparations discussed in detail: Scottish fan club (10,000 people), House of Portugal, British consulate events, Ghana team activations, and synergy with Pride 50th anniversary, Juneteenth, July 4th celebrations. Director highlighted the need for creative sponsorship and revenue generation (e.g., food/beverage sales). A public art manager (part-time, CIP-funded) is also proposed to replace a consultant.

Board of Elections

• Administrator Michael Narvucci presented. Budget increase of ~45%, primarily due to election officials (temporary workers) moved from private contractor to a separate line for transparency. Election officials budget $372,000 (up from $25,000). Total salaries (permanent) $431,510. Temporary salaries $40,000.
• For the upcoming election cycle, the board plans to hire 400–600 workers for 82 precincts, plus a new position of precinct manager (10 people) to oversee setup and ADA compliance.
• Council members asked about rental costs for polling places; Brown University charges $2,000 per election for public safety, while schools and rec centers provide space for free. The board also discussed permanent mail ballot applications now available to all voters.

Key Outcomes

• The committee voted to mark the USI presentation as Exhibit 3 (motion by Councilwoman Graves, second by Councilwoman? Motion carried).
• The committee voted to enter the Law Department budget presentation into the record as Exhibit 4 (motion by Councilwoman? second by Councilman? Motion carried).
• The committee voted to enter the Art, Culture and Tourism budget presentation into the record as Exhibit 5 (motion by Councilwoman Peterson, second by Councilwoman? Motion carried).
• The committee voted to enter the Board of Elections budget presentation into the record (motion by Councilwoman? second by Councilwoman Graves, motion carried). No formal votes on budget approval occurred; these were information hearings.
• Council members requested follow-up documents: copy of the updated workplace policy manual, and clarification on a non-union employee on leave without pay (reference to a possible ordinance requiring council approval after $10,000 in paid leave). Director of People and Culture noted such matters would be handled appropriately.
• The committee agreed to a process for submitting document requests via the City Clerk to ensure all members receive responses promptly.
• A resolution to extend the 18-month waiver for IOD (injury on duty) to 24 months was noted as already drafted and under consideration.