East Providence voters overwhelmingly support charter changes

Amendments mostly associated with switch to elected mayor form

By Mike Rego
Posted 11/7/17

EAST PROVIDENCE — All six of the proposed amendments to the City Charter to coincide with the change of governance in East Providence from a manager-council to an elected mayor-council next …

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East Providence voters overwhelmingly support charter changes

Amendments mostly associated with switch to elected mayor form

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — All six of the proposed amendments to the City Charter to coincide with the change of governance in East Providence from a manager-council to an elected mayor-council next year passed by significant majorities despite a paltry showing at the polls of the Special Election held Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Almost a year ago to the day, over 18,000 residents participated in the election, that large number attributed to 2016 being a presidential election year. On the original charter amendment to change the city’s form of government, voters overwhelmingly approved the measure 73-27 percent (13,246-4,922).
Though only a fraction of residents voted earlier this week, the percentages were just as one sided. Just 933 registered voters cast ballots Tuesday, but those who did backed the amendments suggested by the Charter Review Commission seated earlier this year and approved for the referenda by the City Council by a 3-to-1 margin.
“I’ve been involved in a lot of elections, and that’s a big win,” said Review Commission Chairman Jim Russo.
The items included the following: Question 1 — Shall the Mayor's term of office be four years?; Question 2 — Shall the Mayor, Council members and School Committee members be subject to recall? ; Question 3 — Mayor Amendments (seven subsections); Question 4 — Appointments (eight subsections); Question 5 — Finance Department and Fund Balance (eight subsections); Question 6 — Charter Update (nine subsections).
“Jim Russo’s leadership was amazing and this process the success it was,” said Rick Lawson, a Review Commission member.

By the numbers
Question 1 passed on a percentage of 74-24. Question 2, dealing with recall provisions for all elected officers, received the greatest amount of support, garnering a percent of 92-8 for. The lack of a recall provision has doomed previous efforts to change the city’s form of governance and was a concern of those last year even as the amendment passed by the vast majority.
As for the rest of the amendments on Tuesday’s ballot, Question 3 passed 78%-21%, Question 4 74%-25% and Question 5 76%-21%. Lastly, Question 6, allowing for greater flexibility in the use of monies associated with the Budget Reserve/“Rainy Day” Fund, received the second highest percentage of support, 83%-14%.

Mayor’s salary
At its meeting running concurrent with the election Tuesday evening, Nov. 7, the City Council tabled a motion to set a salary for the elected mayor by ordinance. The ordinance was proposed by council president and current ceremonial mayor Jim Briden.
Mr. Briden suggested the salary for the mayor to be election in November of next year be between $90,000-$95,000. He said it was imperative for the council to act sooner rather than later on the matter of salary, adding he believed it was a determining factor for those considering to run for the position.
Mr. Briden’s words did not persuade any of the three other councilors in attendance Tuesday. Ward 1 representative Bobby Britto was absent from the meeting.
Councilors Joe Botelho, Brian Faria and Anna Sousa each agreed there was a need for the council to review the composition and budget of the mayor’s office before setting the salary. At least two workshops were proposed to be held to take up the discussion.
The opinion of state-appointed Municipal Finance Advisor Paul Luba was solicited. Mr. Luba told the council the average salary for mayors in the four largest municipalities in the state (East Providence is fifth) was $96,000. Subtract Providence from Warwick, Cranston and Pawtucket and the figure drops to $91,000. The lowest mayoral salary, $71,000, is in Central Falls. The current salary for the mayor of Providence is $113,000.
Mr. Luba said the salary for the mayor of Woonsocket, with a population of around 41,000 is closest to the some 47,000 in East Providence, was recently raised to approximately $87,000, which is actually the average salary for all mayors across the state.
“I think you’re talking $90,000 or above,” Mr. Luba said of the prospective salary for the new position of mayor of East Providence. “I generally think mayors are underpaid in Rhode Island. That’s my opinion. You’re asking them to be the equal of city managers, and most make less than city managers (The salary for the city manager in East Providence is roughly $150,000)…They’re pretty much running the show legislatively.”
In addition, Mr. Luba noted most elected mayors, except Woonsocket, have a chief of staff. The average salary for a chief of staff in Rhode Island is $86,000. Again, subtracting Providence, it is $78,000. The current salary for chief of staff in Providence is actually higher than that of the mayor, $120,000. The lowest current salary among chiefs of staff around the state is $57,000 in Cumberland.
"Just about every mayor has a chief of staff and the chief of staff makes just about as much as the mayor," Mr. Luba said.
While suggesting workshops, Mr. Botelho said it was important for the council to “craft an office” of mayor that responds to the needs of the position and the city. He said by culling positions from the existing city manager’s office and other departments, it “should not cost the taxpayers one cent more” to operate the city than it does currently. Both Mr. Faria and Ms. Sousa echoed Mr. Botelho’s sentiments, agreeing to set up dates for the workshops to continue the discussion.

— Photos by Rich Dionne

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