PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said he wants Rhode Island's 7% sales tax to apply to the city's commercial parking lots. "Because we have a budget challenge largely driven by our school department, we're going to need to raise revenue," he said in an interview with 12 News on Wednesday. "And if we don't get it from parkers, we're going to get it from property taxpayers." In November, the city agreed to pay $15 million in school funding as part of a settlement over how much the city should be putting toward the district while it is under state control. Through that agreement, the city owed Providence Public Schools $4 million for fiscal year 2024 and $11 million for fiscal year 2025. In order for Smiley to be able to get the tax on parking approved, he would have to go through the Rhode Island General Assembly, opening the door for other cities and towns to add the tax to their commercial lots. "Each city and town would have to make their own decision about whether to opt in," Smiley said. "Providence would opt in." While Weybosset Street is lined with parking, drivers like Katie Roark from Coventry said it's hard to find a spot. "You dread it coming in because you don't know what you're going to drive into," she said. Roark said she's concerned the mayor's plan would add to that headache. "They talk about raising prices, but yet our salaries are still the same," she added. Ian Hudgins from Providence said it's easier for him to ride his bike than to find parking downtown. He said the proposed sales tax makes sense. "Property taxes in Providence are already pretty high," he said. "If that's the trade-off, I guess I would say let's put a sales tax on parking." Steven Szuros has owned a glass gallery on Weybosset Street since 2002. He said the city should be investing in more parking, not putting a tax on it. "They're wasting our money," he said. "They could buy parking garages with out tax money and call it a day." Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW