Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has presented his fiscal 2026 budget for the city.
The mayor says the 624-million-dollar budget includes responsible cuts, new revenue and a lower-than-expected tax increase to fund critical city services and community priorities.
“In a moment of increased uncertainty and anxiety from actions we are seeing at the national level, this proposed budget underscores my administration’s continued commitment to responsible financial management that supports the evolving needs of our neighbors,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “Despite a financially constrained year, I am proposing a balanced budget that avoids the drastic cuts we feared were necessary and is not solely reliant on raising taxes but instead focuses on raising revenue and making thoughtful cuts to the City’s budget. By developing a proposed budget that is as streamlined and cost-effective as possible, we were able to lessen the burden on our taxpayers and continue to fund the city services our neighbors rely on, because we know that in this moment local government is more important than ever before.”
Over the next couple of months, the City Council's finance committee will hold several hearings budget hearings and propose changes.
There will also be public hearings in May and June to get the public's input on the budget.
(Photo: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley)