EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Bob DaSilva has signed the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget ordinance adopted by the East Providence City Council by a vote of 4-1 during the
October 8, 2025, City Council meeting. The $205,100,061.00 budget reflects the administration’s tight fiscal management while also continuing to provide all of services that East Providence residents expect.
“We went through every dime in each line item to find ways to make this budget palpable for our residents,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “This budget allows the city to continue providing the quality level of services that our residents have become accustomed and additionally, it helps to pay for the ongoing new Martin Middle School renovations,” DaSilva added.
The causes for the Mayor’s proposed increase of $10 million:
• $2.3 million increase in the city’s local appropriation to the school department (a 3.8% increase over last year’s funding, close to the school’s request for the maximum 4% increase
• $1.549M (3.87%) increase for municipal salaries and contractual obligations
• $1.38M increase in funding for the fire and police pension fund (representing a 6.6% increase over last year)
• $971,663 increase in debt service for school bonds (a 5.5% increase over last year)
• $471,973 increase in healthcare costs for all active municipal employees (a 7.65% increase from last year)
In order to pay for the increases, the approved budgets will raise the total property tax levee by four-percent, which will bring in an additional $4.6 million in revenue.
Mayor DaSilva noting, however, that the expected additional economic growth of $49.8 million which is anticipated to be realized before the city sets the new tax rate in the spring should offset some of the fiscal impacts to taxpayers.
"I am satisfied that this budget provides for the quality-of-life East Providence residents expect. While no one likes a tax increase, our tax rate is reasonable, considering our two brand new schools and rising costs all around us. The administration and city council members were diligent in its review and passage, with open public hearings," Council President Bob Rodericks said.
Council Vice President Frank Rego addressed the council prior to the vote on Tuesday saying in part, “If you look at this budget, there is no fat.” No one likes to see an increase [in taxes], we are not having to close the libraries for a day or two, we are not having to rotate fire stations, we are not cutting police, and we are not cutting the school budget, we would never cut the school budget,” added Rego. “If you were to take a home valued at $400,000, it would come down to approximately a $260 increase this year, break that down over 52 weeks and that’s $5 a week.”
The increase to individual property owners will be determined later in the year prior to tax bills being mailed out.
The City’s new fiscal year begins November 1st, tax bills will be mailed in May 2026.
