WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the State of Rhode Island Governor, Gina M. Raimondo, issued Executive Order 20-02 declaring a state of emergency due to the outbreak of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020, Mayor Roberto L. DaSilva, issued Executive Order 2020-004 declaring a state of municipal emergency due to the outbreak of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the East Providence City Council ratified the Declaration of Municipal Emergency at a meeting on March 17, 2020 and authorized its extension through May 8, 2020 on April 7, 2020; and

WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, Mayor DaSilva issued Executive Order 2020-006 entitled “Suspension of Municipal Tax Penalties During COVID-19 Pandemic,” which extended the city tax sale process through April 30, 2020; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to extend Executive Order 2020-006 in order to continue offering tax relief to the residents of East Providence.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Roberto L. DaSilva, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the Mayor of the City of East Providence, pursuant to the Rhode Island General Laws and the Home Rule Charter of the City of East Providence, do hereby order and direct the following:

Executive Order 2020-006 shall hereby be amended as follows:

1. All late charges of city water bills shall continue to be suspended until further notice.
2. All utility shutoffs related to the late payment of city water bills shall continue to be suspended until further notice.
3. All deadlines to apply for tax exemptions for residents of the city shall continue to be suspended until further notice.
4. The city tax sale process shall be suspended until June 18, 2020.

This Order shall take effect immediately and remain in full force and effect through May 8, 2020, unless extended by and with the consent of the City Council.