Amended Legislation Would Clear Way for AFO in East Providence

An administrative and finance officer (AFO) with authority over East Providence’s budget for the next five years is still on the way. 

But legislation that creates the position for manager-run cities and towns in the same distressed financial situation as East Providence was being amended last week in the General Assembly, said Diane Brennan, chair of the East Providence Budget Commission, after last Thursday’s meeting.

That was the only thing holding up the hiring of an AFO, she said. And that appears to be an obstacle that is being cleared quickly.

A bill in the House and a similar bill in the Senate making changes to the state law that creates AFOs were approved last week, according to eastbayri.com.

The changes involve primarily an AFO's authority and compensation, specifically who picks up the tab for those five years of state oversight.

Rhode Island will now split the cost for an AFO when the revenue department relinquishes its authority. Previously, the municipality had to pick up the entire cost for the AFO, which is expected to run into the six figures annually. 

The original legislation gave the power to hire an AFO to the “chief elected officer” or mayor. But municipalities with managers in place, such as East Providence, do not have a chief elected officer – although Mayor James Briden would have been given that authority under the original legislation. The power to hire the AFO will now go to the entire City Council after it is given three candidates to choose from.

Indeeds, said Brennan, a search for an AFO in East Providence has taken place already. The top three candidates have been selected to be forwarded on to East Providence. 

The new legislation also does not appear to strip any power from the city manager or superintendent of schools to hire and fire personnel with the approval of the City Council or School Committee. The AFO will come in to monitor spending and financial matters only.