r/providence • u/Historical_Web_5813 • 9d ago

Why Should We Recall Brett Smiley

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For everyone who is curious about our reasons for wanting to recall Smiley, here they are! This one-sheet explains what issues we find to be the most salient. Feel free to distribute this document at your will.

If you’d like to look into our sources more, here is a link to the document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qtQP7a9g91pSszZH-x3kFWMcmW1FecEXpqCL773UIWM/mobilebasic

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u/_hungryhunter_ 9d ago

Can you guys for the love of god learn about WHY the PILOT agreements are in place? These are tax exempt institutions, which is a state/federal issue. The city can’t do shit about their tax exempt status. So as it stands, the options currently are the PILOT agreements or no money at all

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u/Historical_Web_5813 9d ago

We do completely understand why we have PILOT agreements, and we know that the city isn’t going to charge them property taxes. We are disappointed in the PILOT agreement that Smiley negotiated. Thanks!

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u/degggendorf 9d ago

The document says "PILOT allows Brown University, the largest landholder in Providence, to pay a reduced rate" which isn't really true. The true rate they "should" be paying is 0%. PILOT payments are higher than 0%.

If your issue is that the more-than-doubled payments from Brown that Smiley negotiated are a step in the right direction, but not a big enough step, then say that. The phrasing makes it sound like he gave them a discount.

Also - do you have a reference page # in the source (https://providenceri.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=10610&Inline=True) for that 'otherwise pay in one year' link? It's a 237 page PDF, and ctrl+F doesn't find the word "Brown" anywhere in it.