The Commission to Study Revenue Sustainability and Effectiveness was established through a resolution passed by the Providence City Council in April, 2011. Staffed by Gary Sasse, fiscal advisor to the City Council, the objective of the Commission is to analyze the current tax and revenue structure of Providence, and identify ways to encourage and promote long-term growth and investment within the city. Specifically, the Commission will seek to create an environment that is attractive to both businesses and homeowners by offering recommendations that target equity, competitiveness, sustainability, and efficiency within the current tax and revenue structure. Aside from the revenue generated from municipal taxation, the Commission will seek to broaden the city's revenue stream by examining alternative sources such as fees, state funding, and payments from non-profit institutions.
In order to identify solutions most effectively, the Commission established three working groups: property tax working group, tax exempt working group, and non-property tax working group.
The Commission members are:
- Ed Cooney (Commission Chair): Vice-President of Nortek; Former Chairman Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
- Sam D. Zurier (Working Group Chair): Providence City Councilor, Ward 2
- Mark Montella: Senior Vice-President, External Affairs at Lifespan
- Patricia Thompson (Working Group Chair): Tax Partner at Piccerelli, Gilstein & Company, LLP
- Frank Shea: Executive Director of Olneyville Housing
- Michael D'Amico: Director of Administration to Mayor Angel Taveras
- William Touret (Working Group Chair): Attorney and Former President of College Hill Neighborhood Association
- Denise Barge: Principal at Barge & Associates
- John J. Igliozzi: Providence City Councilor, Ward 7