Special Committee on Ways and Means Budget Hearing - May 5, 2026

The Special Committee on Ways and Means met on May 5, 2026, at 9:26 PM, chaired by Councilmember Sanchez. Three members were present (Sanchez, Andrew Rock, Councilwoman Grace) with Vice Chair Taylor absent and Councilwoman Sanders absent, making a quorum of three. The committee unanimously approved a motion to waive the readings of items 1 through 6 and entered exhibits 13–16 into the record. The primary business was reviewing the proposed fiscal year 2027 budgets for the Purchasing Department and the Parks and Recreation Department (including the Recreation Division). No final votes were taken on the budgets; the committee voted to continue items 1 through 6, effectively deferring approval.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to waive readings of items 1–6 (approved unanimously).
• Motion to enter exhibit 13 (Purchasing budget) into the record (approved unanimously).
• Motion to enter exhibits 14, 15, and 16 (Parks and Recreation budgets) into the record (approved unanimously).
• Motion to continue items 1–6 (approved unanimously).

Discussion Items

• Purchasing Department Budget (FY2027): Proposed at $717,812, a decrease of $31,333 from FY2026. The decrease is attributed largely to a reallocation of active medical costs. Salaries are budgeted at $413,161, including cost-of-living and step increases. The department requested a title change for an unfunded position from "purchasing strategy manager" (A12) to "procurement strategist" (A16) to prepare for the potential return of Providence Public Schools to local control. No funding is tied to the position until the school district returns. The department reported ongoing work with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Harvard, monthly meetings with school procurement since November, and efforts to increase WMBE contracts, including translating bids into Spanish. Director Dorado noted that cycle times have shortened and that the department tracks vendor certifications and contract percentages.

• Parks and Recreation Department Budget (FY2027): Presented by the Superintendent (Wendy) and supported by the Finance Director. The overall Parks budget is composed of several divisions:

  • Botanical Center: $732,269 (decrease of $32,154 from FY2026). Salaries and benefits only; no service and supply line items.
  • Forestry: $1,853,545 (3.31% decrease from FY2026). Salaries $976,456; includes private contractor costs for tree planting and hazard removal. The Wood Depot (open Saturdays 8–4) provides free mulch and firewood; fire department trains there.
  • Museum of Natural History: $613,492 (decrease of $53,067). Salaries $370,218; includes a fixed cost for annual planetarium maintenance by a specialist from Germany.
  • Neighborhood Parks: $8,570,231 (decrease of $165,150). Salaries $4,157,974; includes $165,000 for refuse processing (a $40,000 increase due to additional trash pickup and tipping fees). A pilot recycling program was discontinued due to contamination issues. Supply lines went largely level funded with modest increases to small tools and construction supplies.
  • North Burial Ground: $834,183 (decrease of $56,112). Revenue generating: $340,000 from burial fees plus $260,000 transfer from perpetual care fund, capped at $600,000 total. Salaries $468,248.
  • Superintendent’s Office: $2,086,805 (decrease of $107,056). Includes a $56,092 reimbursement from the Partnership for Providence Parks. Building insurance is $219,650 covering 13 historic buildings (e.g., the Casino, Skyline). Program expense includes community engagement and the meals program.
  • Zoo: $4,075,167 (increase of $276,320 over FY2026). Salaries $2,205,651; includes one new zookeeper position ($60,133) plus cost-of-living and step increases.
  • Cross-cutting discussion: Councilmember Graeve asked about the overtime report for non-union parks employees; the administration explained that roles have evolved but responsibilities remain, and that overtime is necessary for special events and snow. The forester reported the lowest backlog in 11 years, achieved using contractors and strategic block pruning. The wood depot also produces biochar for stormwater retention. Councilmember Peterson praised the department for its work on the Litbit Park fountain and community engagement.

• Recreation Department Budget (FY2027): The Recreation seasonal budget (primarily summer camp) was proposed at $2,072,716, described as a $37,000 decrease from FY2026. Salaries and fringe make up most of the budget; service and supply lines include $155,000 for program expense (field trips, tournaments, awards), a $5,000 increase for food (cookouts, events), and level-funded maintenance. Director John Colley, six months into the role, presented a modest budget with no significant changes. Enrollment for summer 2026: 665 camp slots and 588 sports camp slots. Only the Joslin rec center is projected to be closed this summer; youth will be dispersed to other centers. The sports camp location at PCTA is uncertain due to potential construction at the school; if unavailable, enrollment would drop to about 50 at Hope High School. Councilmember Greaves urged the committee to secure PCTA. Discussion included senior swim programming, training for staff (active shooter training held, further training planned), and concern about hiring relatives (no hires made by current director). The department reported a vacant assistant director position at the MOCA center (vacant since February, pending posting) and a new full-time recreation specialist position (in incumbent was part-time, now annualized). Councilmember Peterson raised concerns about salary grades for directors and assistant directors not in compliance with ordinance; Finance Director agreed to review. The committee requested data on youth job applications and waitlists.

Key Outcomes

• The committee continued items 1–6, deferring a final vote on the budgets to a future meeting.
• The Purchasing Department committed to providing follow-up on WMBE contract statistics and the timeline for school district return preparations.
• The Parks and Recreation Department will provide: an update on HVAC upgrades across rec centers (with a plan for safe conditions during summer), a training plan for rec staff (due within two weeks), and historical data on youth job applications and hires.
• The Finance Director will review compensation compliance for recreation director and assistant director positions and report back.
• No budget was approved; the hearing will continue.