Providence's new mayor, Jorge O. Elorza, may not have inherited a "Category 5 Hurricane" budget situation, as his predecessor, Angel Taveras famously said a few weeks into his tenure. But Mr. Elorza does not have time to stop and smell the roses, either.
The city's budget relies too heavily on an over-burdening tax regime, especially its commercial rate structure. Services are inconsistent, with poor snow removal during the winter and monster potholes this spring being only the most obvious challenges facing the new chief executive.
Of greater long-term import is how well Mr. Elorza is able to improve the business climate of the state's biggest economic engine.
Mr. Elorza's appointment of a chief innovation officer may sound a little New Age-y, but in reality, it has the potential to make a major difference in how the city is run.
Lean management principles, a continuous-improvement approach and a culture of measuring outcomes all promise to move the talk to action, so long as the new mayor follows through and keeps the pressure on. •