WPRO News and the Associated Press
Rhode Island’s auditor general is asking Providence to come up with a plan to eliminate its cumulative deficit.
WPRI-TV reports Auditor General Dennis Hoyle wrote on Oct. 20 that the city must submit an updated deficit reduction plan, detailing how it will reduce a multiyear shortfall that has grown to $13.6 million.
Hoyle also says he is concerned the city will find it difficult to balance its fiscal 2016 budget.
A spokesman for Mayor Jorge Elorza says the fiscal year 2015 budget relied on numerous one-time fixes and that the mayor has budgeted funds to pay down the cumulative deficit.
The Elorza administration last month revealed the city finished the fiscal year with a $5 million deficit.
State law requires municipalities to pay cumulative deficits down over five years.
