Joanne Ryan elected chair of finance committee in 3-2 vote

The Providence City finance committee elected Councilwoman Joanne Ryan chair on Sept. 9, 2022, following a short but pointed nomination period that concluded in a 3–2 roll-call result.

The vote resolved a contested nomination between Joanne Ryan and Councilwoman Graves. City Clerk was directed to record a roll-call ballot; the clerk reported three votes for Ryan and two for Graves, and cast a single ballot for Ryan as chair.

The outcome followed brief remarks from Councilwoman Graves, who said she entered the contest because “we have to hold on to our integrity” and expressed concern about behind-the-scenes influence. Graves criticized what she described as nontransparent backroom conversations and urged colleagues to “follow your heart.” Ryan thanked committee members for their trust after the vote.

The committee followed a nomination process in which members named candidates and the clerk conducted a roll-call. No other formal actions or secondary motions related to this election were recorded in the finance committee discussion.

The committee moved immediately from the election into the scheduled agenda; members acknowledged the matter concluded and proceeded with other business.

The council’s recording shows the matter concluded without additional direction to staff or further procedural actions.