At the November 8th election, Providence voters will be asked to approve or reject proposed changes to the City Charter.

Zoom in to hear about this Commission, its processes and the rationale for the proposals that made it to the November ballot.

They include:

• changing the city school board from 9 appointed members to a hybrid (5 members elected from 5 districts, 5 appointed by the Mayor)
• adding a new position of General Manager of the Water Supply Board.
• increasing the purchasing threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 for regular purchasing and to $20,000 for construction contracting.
• Letting the City Council hire consultants by vote of a simple majority (now 2/3)
• Letting the City Council remove council appointees by a simple majority (now 2/3)

Will these improve city functioning?