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Providence leaders warn state—s new fire-assessment, water-fee rules will increase local bills
Summary
Providence city leaders devoted a large portion of a council meeting to concerns about House Bill 48 and related water-fee rules that will add charges to property-tax and water bills, warning that implementation and oversight remain unclear.
Providence city leaders devoted a large portion of a council meeting to concerns about two state actions that will add fees to local property-tax and water bills, saying implementation and oversight questions remain unresolved.
The council heard staff and members describe House Bill 48 and a related water-fee rule administered through the state Division of Drinking Water. "House Bill 48 is the bill number and and also the division of drinking water," one council member said during the meeting. Mayor (unnamed) and other council members warned those state charges will appear on local property-tax statements and on customers— water bills even though the state, not the city, will set and spend the money.
Why it matters: Council members said the assessments could be large enough to materially affect household property-tax bills and that local governments will have limited control over how assessments are calculated or applied. Council discussion also focused on…
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