Sec. 16-54. - Waiver of the maximum levy.

(a)

The purpose of this section is to ensure that the city council follows the highest standards of transparency regarding taxation when adopting its annual budget.

(b)

The State of Rhode Island has established a maximum levy for taxation by municipalities pursuant to G.L. 1956, § 44-5 et seq. Pursuant to G.L. 1956, § 44-5-2 (d), (e), a municipality may request a waiver from the maximum tax levy and impose a tax greater than the maximum levy but the state law requires an affirmative vote of at least four-fifths of the full membership of the governing body of the city.

(c)

The city council may not request a waiver to the maximum tax levy pursuant to G.L. 1956, § 44-5-2(d), (e) unless the request for the waiver is approved by a resolution passed by a four-fifths vote of the City of East Providence City Council. Further, the City of East Providence City Council may not exceed the maximum levy provided for in G.L. 1956, § 44-5-2 et seq. unless it is approved by resolution passed by a four-fifths vote of the city council. Said resolutions must specify the reasons the city council is seeking the waiver of the maximum tax levy and contain the specific amount by which the city council exceeds the maximum tax levy.

(d)

Said resolutions provided for in subsection (c) of this ordinance must be passed at a public hearing of the city council.

(Ch. 537, § I, 10-18-11)