PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Dozens of Providence residents and business owners testified before city leaders about why they supported or opposed Mayor Brett Smiley’s proposed $624 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on July 1.
The Providence City Council’s Committee on Finance hosted its first of two public hearings on the proposed budget on Tuesday evening. The second public hearing will be held on June 9.
For the first time in the budget process, a Spanish interpreter was also on hand to assist residents at the public hearing, according to Councilwoman Helen Anthony. Ultimately, the interpreter was not utilized at the microphone, as all testimony was given in English…