Providence government uses mayor-council form, with a large group of executive departments and a council comprising 15 councilors, one for each ward.
The Providence City Charter tasks the city council with enacting ordinances and passing an annual budget.
Providence also has probate and superior courts. The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island is located Downcity, directly opposite City Hall across Kennedy Plaza.
Providence elected its first Latino mayor, Angel Taveras, in 2010.
City Council meets twice per month most months of the year at Providence City Hall in the City Council Chambers. Most other committee meetings for the Council are also held in City Hall.
In 2012 and 2013 significant transparency and open government efforts were made.
Departments (needs edits!)
Cabinet-level executive departments include:
Arts, Culture & Tourism
Board of Licenses
Communications
Finance
Housing Authority
Public Safety
Public Works
All Departments
Animal Control
Art, Culture + Tourism
Board of Canvassers/ Voting
Board of Licenses
Botanical Center
City Archives
City Clerk
City Council
Communications
Controller*
Economic Development
Econ. Dev. Partnership*
Emergency Management Engineering, Public Works
Environmental, Public Works
External Review Authority
Finance Department
Fire Department
Housing Authority
Human Resources (Personnel)
Human Relations Commission
Information Technology*
Inspections + Standards, Prosecution
Internal Auditor*
Law Department
Mayor’s Office
Parks + Recreation
Planning + Development
Police Department
Probate Court
ProvStat
Public Property*
Public Safety
Public Works
Purchasing*
Recorder of Deeds
Redevelopment Agency*
Schools
Tax Assessor
Tax Collector
Telecomm.*
Traffic Engineering, Public Works
Treasury*
Vital Statistics/Registrar
Water Supply Board
Listing of Commissions, Boards (active & inactive)
Listing of entities receiving city funds; quasi-public agencies, vendors.
