Cranston council rejects mayor’s 7.4% tax proposal after public outcry over service cuts

The Cranston City Council voted on April 29 to reject the mayor’s proposed FY2026–27 operating budget, which sought a 7.4% permanent property‑tax levy, after residents and council members raised alarm about cuts to senior services, Head Start and school maintenance.

Council president Wahl, who opened the special meeting and framed the council’s twofold duty to balance funding city functions while protecting taxpayers, said he “cannot support this budget” as presented and urged the administration to return with a more balanced proposal. Public comment filled the council chamber: longtime senior‑center advocate Susan Sikosha Olson warned that proposed eliminations, including the assistant director, would “decimate” the Cranston Senior Center’s capacity to provide meals, adult‑day care and social supports. Chris Mansfield, CEO of Conference Community Action (CCAP), said his nonprofit learned from the media that city funding for Head Start and other contracted services was being zeroed out and said closing two Head Start classrooms was a real risk.

Why it matters: Council members and speakers at the hearing described a tightening…