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Auditor’s letter flags $6.5M city deficit; Cranston schedules special hearing with auditor

Cranston City Council · February 17, 2026

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Summary

An auditor general letter accompanying Cranston’s FY2025 audit cites a roughly $6.5 million general-fund operating deficit and a $3.9 million school unfunded deficit; city officials say monthly reports were posted online and a corrective plan is in development. A special council session with the auditor is set for Feb. 23.

The Cranston City Council on Feb. 17 publicly addressed a letter from the Rhode Island auditor general that followed the city’s FY2025 audit and reported a general-fund operating deficit of approximately $6.5 million and a schools’ unrestricted-fund deficit of about $3.9 million.

Council members reviewed the auditor’s letter and took an extended presentation and question-and-answer session with city finance officials. Director Igoe (controller) acknowledged that some required reports had not been filed directly with the auditor general’s office during a reporting-rule change after COVID, though monthly financial statements had been posted on the city website and distributed internally.

Administration representative Director Moretti described a corrective tactical plan under development and said the city and school department will be monitored by the auditor general while progress is made. “I describe this as a pothole. It’s not a disaster,” Moretti said, adding the administration intends to address the deficit in the coming budget cycle though “there’ll be some pain.”

Council scheduled a special meeting for Feb. 23 (auditor presentation) so members and the public can review the audit binder and hear the auditor’s findings. Council members pressed administration staff on timing, the reporting requirements, whether quarterly check-ins with the auditor general’s office were likely, and what immediate spending controls might be implemented ahead of the next budget cycle.