“Signing this budget into law means providing much needed tax relief to Central Falls homeowners” said Mayor Diossa. “I’m proud that this budget is able to lower taxes for our residents while maintaining our bedrock commitment to fiscal responsibility as we continue our re-emergence from bankruptcy. I want to thank Council President Ferri and all of the members of the City Council for working collaboratively with me to pass this budget.”
In addition to lowering the residential tax rate, the adopted FY 2017 budget increases the homestead exemption by 15 percent, increases the senior citizens’ homeowner tax exemption by 25 percent, increases the veterans’ exemption by 25 percent, and freezes the car tax exemption.
To encourage economic development and provide predictability for local business, the budget freezes the city’s commercial tax rate and tangible tax.
Overall, the adopted budget does more with less by spending 1 percent less than last year’s budget.
The Financial Year 2017 budget is the last under a court approved 5-year bankruptcy plan. The plan called for maximum 4 percent residential property tax increase in each year. However, due to the city’s post-bankruptcy record of fiscal responsibility, Leonard Morganis, Central Falls’ Administration and Finance Officer, charged by the court with monitoring implementation of the 5-year bankruptcy plan, approved lowering the residential property tax rate ahead of schedule.
Budget Highlights:
- $18,010,908
Tax Rates and Exemptions
- 5% residential property tax rate decrease
- 15% increase in homestead tax exemption
- 25% increase in senior property tax exemption
- 25% increase in veteran’s tax exemption
- Commercial tax rate freeze
- Tangible tax rate freeze
- Car tax exemption freeze
Fiscal Responsibility
- FY 2017 budget spends 1% less than previous year budget
- 107% of Annual Required Contribution to Central Falls pension plan
- $100,000 contribution to future OPEB liability
Youth Investments
- Increased after school programming
- Summer midnight basketball league
- Renovated space for the Innovation Lab in partnership with the Central Falls School District and Rhode Island College
Economic Development
- $100,000 for Dexter and Broad Street commercial corridor façade improvements
- $600,000 for Central Falls Redevelopment Agency
Infrastructure
- $200,000 for roadwork improvements
- $200,000 for sidewalk repair and replacement
- Conversion of city’s street lights to efficient LED technology
- Improvements at Illinois Street Park and other parks and recreational areas
Public Safety
- Federal grant funding for 4 recently hired new firefighters
- New School Resource Officer at Calcutt Middle School
Showing 1 reaction
Sign in with
Facebook Twitterhttp://www.bestessaypoint.co.uk