East Providence council officially sets elected mayor's yearly salary

First "strong" mayor will earn $90,000 annually

By Mike Rego
Posted 12/6/17

EAST PROVIDENCE — Barring a change of heart over the next year, the proposed annual salary of the first elected mayor for the City of East Providence following the election of November 2018 is set …

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East Providence council officially sets elected mayor's yearly salary

First "strong" mayor will earn $90,000 annually

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Barring a change of heart over the next year, the proposed annual salary of the first elected mayor for the City of East Providence following the election of November 2018 is set at $90,000.

The city council at its Tuesday, Dec. 5, meeting, gave the second of two necessary approvals to fix the mayor’s yearly pay by ordinance. The measure passed on a 4-1 vote. Ward 1 Councilor Bobby Britto voted against the ordinance.

In sponsoring the proposal, council president, current ceremonial mayor and At-Large Councilor Jim Briden said he used statistics provided to the body by state-appointed Municipal Finance Advisor Paul Luba to suggest the number. Mr. Luba was tasked by the council to compile salary data from municipalities with elected mayors. Mr. Briden noted the council ultimately chose the $90,000 figure based on a look at the salaries of those cities, including Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, Central Falls and Woonsocket.

Tuesday, Mr. Luba told the council the Woonsocket mayor, formerly the lowest paid at about $80,000 per year, recently received an increase to $87,000. Mr. Luba clarified the actual average of mayoral municipalities was about $94,000-95,000.

“It’s big job and it should be paid a competitive salary,” Mr. Luba added. “Ninety, I think is adequate.”

Mr. Britto, who was absent from previous discussions on the subject, he said due to job-related commitments, argued Tuesday $90,000 likely wasn’t sufficient. He said the object of the council in setting the salary should be to help foster a field of “quality” candidates. He suggested some prospective office seekers would see $90,000 and say, “it’s not worth it.”

“If we want to attract a really qualified individual, I look at it as being on the low end,” Mr. Britto said, adding the mayor’s salary would be some $60,000 less than the city pays its manager under the current form of government.

“You’re going to find out pretty much throughout the communities that have mayors, in general, they’re (the salaries) quite a bit lower than larger communities with city managers,” responded Mr. Luba.

Both Ward 2 and 4 Councilors Anna Sousa and Brian Faria balked a bit at Mr. Britto’s contention, each saying they did not want someone to seek the mayorship for monetary reasons. Each also noted there are no professional or educational qualifications required to be mayor and that person, as well, will more than likely hire a chief of staff, who would also receive a significant salary.

Mr. Faria, Ms. Sousa and Ward 3 Councilman Joe Botelho, who along with their two other peers voted in support of the salary ordinance, reiterated to Mr. Britto the $90,000 would be included as the council determines a comprehensive fiscal outline for the mayor’s office next budget season in the fall of 2018.

"And in the future if you find the salary is too low or you're not getting the candidates you want, you can always change it (during) an off-year election," Mr. Luba added.

The ordinance takes effect when first duly-elected mayor in the East Providence is inaugurated in January of 2019.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.