By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Saying he wants nonprofits to pay their fair share to a city which has an overwhelming amount of property not subject to taxation, Mayor Brett Smiley Thursday outlined a seven-point list of priorities for legislation to go before the General Assembly this session.
Smiley developed the package, “working in lockstep” with the City Council, earlier than in recent years, with an eye toward submitting legislation within a few weeks.
His priorities include asking the General Assembly:
- Boost payment in lieu of taxes by tax-exempt non-profits, which he says account for 44% of land in the city.
- Fully fund the distressed communities program, calling it a critical program for a city with a high level of low-income and moderate-income taxpayers.
- Rework the funding formula for Multilingual Learners program in city schools.
- Allow the city to tax commercial spaces within properties owned by non-profits such as colleges and universities.
- Designate a portion of new payroll taxes for entities in the growing non-profit sector to the City of Providence’s general fund.
- Adopt a revitilization plan to develop the Cranston Street Armory for both indoor recreation space and for community activities.
- Lift a 20-year cap on revenue-sharing agreements to accommodate a new, 30-year agreement with ProvPort.
Smiley said he has already begun negotiations with four colleges and universities within the city, and plans to meet soon with the two hospital groups operating in the city to renegotiate existing, expired PILOT agreements.
