Out-going city side Finance Director Malcolm Moore poured cold water on a potential use of a controversial revenue stream, while at the same time painting a rather bleak picture of East Providence future fiscal status.

Moore broached a topic included on the City Council's April 16 meeting docket earmarking funds received from speed camera fine revenue into a restricted account for school building maintenance and upgrades.

The matter was introduced for discussion-only by Ward 4 Councilor Rick Lawson, who also acts as the body's liaison to the East Providence School Committee.

Moore, who earlier this year announced his intention to retire from the director's post he's held for over a decade, said the city relies on the monies from the speed camera fines.

He also said he's already indicated to Mayor Bob DaSilva the upcoming budget year (2024-25) would be "tough." And if not for an unexpected $2 million windfall received based on how the motor vehicle tax phase out, the city's current operational outlay would have already been that much in the red.

In addition, he said a decision by the General Assembly to cap the amount of tangible property municipalities can tax also is a hinderance.

All of which means when the next fiscal year budget cycle begins for East Providence later this summer and early fall, it is likely to bump right up against the state mandated maximum allowable year-over-year tax percentage rate increase of 3.5.

In explaining the conundrum, Moore said if the school district seeks its max uptick in support from the city, which would come in at approximately $2 million, and if the city attempts to put as he planned $1.5 million towards repayment of school construction bonds, then East Providence is already basically at that 3.5% cap.

The $3.5 million total is based off of the aforementioned 3.5% increase on the city's existing total level of approximately $100 million give or take a hundred thousand.

Without the speed zone camera fine revenue (annually about $3.5 million since implemented in 2021), he predicted the city would be in even more dire financial straits.

Lawson said he understood the situation and made note that his intention was not nor would be giving the money directly to the school department, which would by law increase the city's annual maintenance of effort liability.

"I learned from Paul Luba and Jim Russo that a budget is a set of priorities," Lawson added, referring to the former state-appointed overseer and long-time government employee/mayor candidate, respectively.

"I'm just advocating that we make maintaining and upgrading our schools a priority. And that's the only reason why I brought this us for discussion," he continued.