Providence Special Committee on Ways and Means

A public hearing on the city's FY2026–2027 budget — testimony only, with no votes taken.

• Heard the proposed $419.4 million property-tax levy (a slight decrease from the prior year) and the tax-rate and exemption ordinance. (p. 2)
• Reviewed a roughly $624.8 million appropriation amendment and the employee compensation and position-classification plans. (p. 2)
• Took up the FY2026–2030 capital improvement plan. (p. 3)
• Residents and nonprofit representatives testified; no votes were taken. (p. 3)

Background

This was a hearing on Providence's annual budget, which has two main moving parts: the tax levy — the total dollars collected from property owners — and the appropriation, which sets how those dollars are spent across departments and schools. A public hearing is residents' formal chance to weigh in before the City Council votes the budget into law, and the outcome drives both local tax bills and the level of city services.