City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire 2022 - 2024 City Council, 23 May 2022

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From YouTube: 5.23.2022 City Council Work Session

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5.23.2022 City Council Work Session

A

Thank you on everyone for coming to tonight's uh budget review session uh tonight. Monday uh may.

A

23Rd, I'm going to pass it over to the city manager who's going to go through some budget variable.

A

Updates uh and resolution pro formas and then a recap of the dialogue sessions. Thank you mayor.

B

Good evening, everyone uh thank you to the public and the staff who've joined us.

B

If I can talk and share my screen at the same time, that's what I'm going to do now, god bless you.

B

So what uh judy belanger our finance director is going to speak to the two slides here.

B

And uh let me take it away. Okay, all right! Good evening there, members of the city, council and.

C

Whoever is tuning in and watching um from home today we just have two slides just to go over some.

C

Variables that we had discussed at the at the public hearing, the city manager and I had walked.

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Through the components of the fy 23 proposed budget, which resulted in an estimated tax rate of.

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Dollars and seventy one cents- and that was a sixty eight cent increase or.

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Five uh four point: five, one percent over the current rate of fifteen dollars and three cents.

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um At the end of that presentation, we reviewed three areas that we marked as the variables.

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So we've had some time to kind of look further into these areas and to see how.

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That would reduce the estimated tax rate that we had proposed in the first areas. Interest.

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Income, so this is a revenue, so it wouldn't affect the expenditure side or the budget side.

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But it would definitely affect the tax rate, so you know at the time interest rates, as we all know,.

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Have been changing and increasing, and we took some time to discuss with our financial institutions.

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Where these rates might be going, we are seeing um an increase in the rates in our investment funds.

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And it is said that they're going to be raising these interest rates five times um between.

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Now and december that the federal will raise those interest rates, and so that will affect.

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Our interest income, so we feel pretty confident doing our analysis that we can raise. Currently, we.

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Estimated that revenue at 180 000 for the general fund and we feel comfortable raising that to 700.

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000 for fiscal year, 23 taking conservative measures, of course, and that would affect the.

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Tax rate and reduce that estimated tax rate by eight cents, which is the first line on the slide.

C

And that would decrease the median single family residential home based at 478 thousand. Fifty.

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Dollars that would reduce the estimated tax rate by thirty eight dollars and twenty four cents.

C

The second area is, there's been a much discussion about the state contributing.

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uh Towards the retirement contribution.

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Reinstate 7.5 well that kind of failed, but there is a house bill, 1221 that the house and senate.

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Have will be voting on on may 26, but we're pretty pretty positive. This will pass and what this bill.

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Is saying, is that they're going to do a one-time state retirement, basically a reimbursement.

C

To two cities and towns, so it wouldn't affect it, wouldn't decrease the actual expenditures.

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Or the appropriations, because how they are working, this is that they're going to go by.

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Fiscal year, 22's actual payroll and then reimburse the city of one-time payment.

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Equal to 7.5 so we'll see that as a revenue source coming in so we estimate that to be roughly 650.

C

000 for the general fund, so that would equate to another 10 cents off the estimated tax rate.

C

And then, and again once if it passes on may 26th that we're pretty positive about it still needs.

C

To go before the governor for his signature and then the third area is the rockingham county tax.

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So we as preparing the budget, we increased our appropriation by two percent.

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But as we have discussed the rockingham county taxes based off of two factors, one.

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The budget that the rockingham county adopts, which they put together their proposed budget.

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Which was an increase of two percent, but they have not adopted that budget as of yet.

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And then the second piece to that is the proportion which is based off our equalized value.

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And they go back to tax year 20 and the equalized value of each community of all the 37 communities.

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Of rockingham county now we had currently a proportion of 11.4 percent of that tax obligation.

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And we've had the state had put together. Some preliminary numbers are not officially released.

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But as we're looking at those preliminary numbers which could still change, we believe.

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That we may have a two hundred thousand dollar savings from our appropriation. What we do want.

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To be careful about, and I recommend that we don't actually reduce the budget by that 200 000, the.

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When I go and set the tax rate in the fall when those numbers are finalized is when the department.

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Of revenue will say, this is what your county tax obligation is, and that number will be factored.

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Into actually setting the tax rate, so I recommend leaving the budget as as is because nothing is.

C

Permanent and it's not official so that it will be official at the time of setting the tax rate.

C

And that will change so with those reductions that would bring our estimated tax rate increase to 47.

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Cents as opposed to 68 cents, so um that would be 15 and 50 cents or a 3.1 percent increase.

C

And then on the back side, so taking all of that into consideration, I know there's been.

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Asks about what impacts to the single family, home or the median single family home.

C

With everything included, so if, if the tax rate was to come in at 47 cents, that would be 223.61.

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Per year or 18.6 cents per month, and then with the three percent rate increase for.

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uh Water, which would equate to eight dollars and forty cents per year or seventy cents per month.

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And the sewer rate at six percent would be an annual increase of fifty three dollars.

C

And forty cents or four dollars and forty five cents per month so as you can see on the bottom.

C

Brings us the total of 285.41 or 23.78 per month would be the impact to these three areas.

B

Thanks judy, so that speaks to uh the first bullet in the agenda. The second bullet would be walking.

B

The council, through the resolutions that would be before you formally uh upon adoption of the.

B

Budget which we are proposing for the june 6th city council meeting and um it's it's a lot. It's.

B

A lot of paper, but um it's essentially the way that the budget is always adopted and I'll walk.

B

Everybody through it right now, the first one is always the resolution to adopt fees.

B

And right after that, one pager is: is the complete fee schedule? That's why that's so heavy.

B

After that would be the appropriations for all the necessary general fund expenditures by department.

B

If you will and by fund that's the total, that's approval of a total bottom.

B

Line budget of 133 million two hundred and eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-six.

B

Following that would be separate resolutions for the water fund and then the sewer fund after that.

B

Would be expenditures of special revenues, debt service fund and committed fund balance again a.

B

Requirement every year and this year we have added the use of american rescue plan, act, funds or arpa.

B

Funds to the bottom of that resolution, as you can see, along with an attachment that speaks to.

B

The items to be paid for using opera funds and the last one per for all of our requirements is.

B

A resolution approving the investment policy for the city to follow for the upcoming fiscal year.

B

So that is a that is a those are coming attractions for your formal adoption on june 6th.

B

And I think, what's fair to say at this point is: if there are changes.

B

To the numbers, we would need to know those in advance so that we can amend the resolutions.

B

Accordingly and then uh something that's not on the agenda, but we're where we were.

B

Scrambling, as of 6 29 this this evening to pull them together, was it our compilation of answers.

B

To the questions that were posed at the different public comment sessions for each work session, as.

B

You know the way our our procedure works. Public comment is where we, where we can all take comment.

B

But not give feedback and we wanted to honor the requests and the questions brought to the council.

B

In that time frame, so the deputy city manager did yeoman's work this afternoon, pulling them.

B

Together, essentially by either by theme or by department, so we've provided and there's.

B

There are some for the folks in the room and we will place this on the city website this evening.

B

Answers to questions essentially again by department or by theme, speaking to I.t police fire.

B

School general government and so in the effort to be transparent and to try and.

B

Respond to folks who asked a question: this was the work of this group and I think the council.

B

Mentioned that they would be supportive of that effort, so that that was important to us to do.

B

So with that, I would turn it back to the mayor so that each counselor, who was.

B

Responsible for the report out at the public dialogue sessions might be able to speak.

B

To those thank you, city manager um just had one question for bob.

A

Actually um glad you're sitting up here so on the uh on the june 6 meeting, um can we notice a.

A

I want to make sure everybody has time to digest this and also comment on this outside.

A

Of the three minutes, is it possible? Do we already have schedule? Maybe kelly could answer this? Do we.

A

Already have scheduled a public hearing on the budget for june 6th. No because you had closed.

D

The public hearing, but we can expand the public dialogue session uh public comment session. If you.

E

So choose with a suspension of the rooms. Okay. So that's what we'll need to do in order to suspend.

A

We'll suspend the roles and have uh in it, for all intents and purposes, a a uh a public hearing.

A

On the budget during that uh at that time, okay, on topics that are related to the budget, absolutely.

A

All right um so counselor denton um do you wanna. I know that you gave uh took copious.

A

Notes of our uh budget dialogue- and I just before I'll preface this with this- was the.

A

First time that we've done this, I think in portsmouth excited for it to improve and.

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Was excited with the participation, but again I want to figure out ways that we can notice this.

A

More effectively to have more people attend, but I thought it was a pretty good discussion for it's.

A

Its first time around, that's it so we were at the portsmouth senior center at the 7 o'clock session.

D

With us was counselor lombardi in attendance from the public, where a fellow veteran sue.

D

Pelodora, who don't oh there, she is along with a fellow former councillors, pedro huda and esther.

D

Kennedy and from city staff we had both judy and andrew. We hit upon several topics of discussion.

D

One was the 40 000 a year going towards the chamber and the thought of the kiosk in the.

D

Center of town should be for everyone to use, not just chamber members other thoughts that we had.

D

Outdoor dining was raised, possibly creating a something similar to the clipper strong.

D

Fund doing a partnership to help businesses that are not necessarily restaurants, downtown.

D

The police and fire commission bringing forward step increases across the board, was discussed.

D

As was the I.t department, whether it makes more sense to.

D

Have everyone in the it department, be city staff or have two people essentially remain outsourced.

D

And there were several other topics that were hit, such as the enterprise funds.

D

And the combined sewer overflows- that was a topic at the last.

D

Presentation overall, having done public dialogue sessions in the past, I thought.

D

It went incredibly well breaking it up in different locations at different times.

D

More attendance would always be nice, but it takes time to build attendance at things like this.

A

Thanks counselor, who counselor bagley uh yeah the person who is going to report out.

D

For our team is not here this evening, so I guess she's running late she'll be here momentarily if.

B

You want to go to the skipper, we'll come back one day, counselor! Thank you. Yes, I was.

F

With uh the pleasure of being with councillor cook and counselor tabor, as well as deputy.

F

City manager, deputy attorney, suzanne woodland- uh we were over at fire station number two.

F

Mr mark brighton was fortunate to attend. um Fortunately, we didn't have any other attendees.

F

uh Fire chief, steve jermaine and fire union president steve morris did join us eventually.

F

And helped answer some questions. um Mr brighton brought up the mentioning of the stormwater.

F

Runoff tax, uh we assured him. This was going to be looked at in fall. This fall fall of 2022.

F

We mentioned that there's many factors and variables to look at such as equitability.

F

Effective non-profits cost credits, pervious driveways, non-previous, driveways parking lots.

F

And yeah counselor taylor mentioned the potential incentives and for more pervious services and the.

F

Cost of stormwater and how we could kind of allocate those costs to the people that are.

F

Actually causing them as opposed to passing it on to the average house homeowner mr brighton.

F

Also, then expressed his concern for the proposed 4 percent increase or salary adjustment for the.

F

Fire, firefighters and fire officers on top of a negotiated union contract that includes a cola.

F

Fire chief tremaine was gladly that it was um glad he was there. He was nice to explain that currently.

F

Portsmouth is seven percent behind the state average when we go look to hire a new firefighter.

F

And that makes it very hard to recruit new help when we can't recruit new help. Those positions.

F

We have those vacancies. They're then filled with backlog hours of overtime, which is more costly.

F

To the city, more costly to the taxpayer, more less efficient and more costly for all of us.

F

This was explained to mr brighton. He expressed that we need to get the word out. We need to.

F

Express this to the public, he did want me to quote him that we sold him on that.

F

The resident then also expressed his overall concern on the overall increase of the fy 23.

F

Budget he also expressed the concern for 27 new full-time positions. um He asked if some.

F

Of these positions were to recover from covid, then why wouldn't they be temporary? um It was.

F

Discussed councillor cook also mentioned that the welfare program was being underused and encouraged.

F

People to apply, um I also expressed that we share these concerns and that there's a proposed budget.

F

We're still you working on it, that is it. Thank you, councillor, blaylock assistant mayor. Could you.

G

Conversation at the middle school, of course, at the middle school. It was myself our city.

G

Manager, counselor, fagley and councilman moreau. We had three attendees. um We had former councilor.

G

Huda, former counselor kennedy and sue fedora, so we discussed a lot of I think kind of the same.

G

Narratives that were discussed at the other forums we discussed outdoor dining, the future of that.

G

How to make sure that we have a fair and equitable system for all downtown businesses? We discussed.

G

A good amount of um the needs in our schools, um whether some of these the ask from this.

G

From the school commission in the school board, I'm sorry the school board in the school department.

G

Could be temporary funds if they're used for rehab for covid19 for our students we discussed.

G

Pardon me we discussed better communication um inside and outside um making sure the.

G

Flow of communication, the things that you know need to be communicated better to the.

G

To the general population um are we discussed some needs, including the need for I.t and.

G

A big discussion was on the new roles that will be played out in our our new superintendent and.

G

The need for a assistant, superintendent of some of these proposed um positions should be halted until.

G

We have that new um that new hire that was kind of the rundown of that. Thank you, assistant, mayor.

A

With that, um are there any uh questions or comments from the council now I'll preface.

A

That with saying you have the the budget now and a document, so if you, you can't make any amendments.

A

um In a work session right now, but if you would get your if there's any um amendments uh that.

A

We'd want to discuss at the june 6 meeting and ask that you would provide those to the agenda.

A

By next wednesday, uh so that the is that enough time for the step wednesday to monday.

A

I'm looking at you, I'm looking at city management. um Is that enough time we can.

A

We can have our rules, so we can have it earlier if needed wednesday to monday. Okay,.

A

So um if we can have those any amendments that we'd like to make wednesday of next week,.

A

But are there any questions uh the council has? Oh, can you just make it wednesday at noon.

H

Wednesday at noon well, we're not making any action. This is but wednesday night.

A

But kelly's the boss when it comes to that so wednesday at noon, uh we will.

A

Have we'll have those uh any any changes, and obviously, if there's something that you have.

A

Already um happy to have that much earlier than that, um but counselor bagley, you had.

A

A question for a comment comment. I guess- um and I think maybe perhaps I misunderstood the.

D

Public sessions, but I was kind of thinking that they were going to be unrecorded. No minutes.

D

um We mentioned a lot of citizens names tonight, which I I don't think was an issue because.

D

They're they're all citizens that are actively engaged in city government, but I thought we were.

D

Trying to make it more open to people that perhaps might not want their name out there.

D

Or their comments out there on video, so I guess I would ask for maybe some discussion.

D

You know when we do this again next year is the goal to do it as we did it tonight.

D

Or is it to do it a more? I don't know if anonymous is the right way. You know. I think that the.

A

Similar thought um uh on that, but uh given the uh limited participation on that, I I think going.

A

Forward, we can just say you know, points that were mentioned, uh except where there's an example of.

A

Somebody directly asking to be quoted: um we can, we can leave that um outside and and simply say.

A

uh Residents um and not list the the residents they're intending but um again that's not a.

A

The goal of, I guess not recording and not, um and not, uh keeping uh we're not uh taking minutes of.

A

That is more of a function of the fact that it's not it's a public dialogue and not a a meeting.

A

You know, I don't think anything uh was certainly said at our meeting, that that wouldn't be also.

A

Said on tv, but uh just a function of the fact that uh from our right to know requests we wouldn't.

A

We wouldn't have to. We don't have to post all those meetings because they're their dialogue.

A

But noted and before we have the next one we can solidify whether or not we will have.

A

Names or numbers of attendees we could have stated that there was hundreds of.

A

People at these things- I guess, um but uh that's a good question for the next time.

A

You know if I could have just added a further comment. I thought the dialogue was very good.

D

And it was very free flowing very back and forth and I think you get that.

D

um Because nobody's worried about being quoted in the paper the next day, let's say.

A

Yeah, I I I would agree to that, and I think that there's also just the subject of the fact that you.

A

Know I'd love to respond on tv to everybody that gets up on public comment, but there's.

A

There's limits to what we can do, um you know with the rules that we have.

A

In this- and so you know- that's- I do want to stress that it's it's primarily around the the rules of.

A

That, but for those that don't uh that are you know, worried about being on tv or being misquoted or.

A

Misrepresented you know, I think, that's a good. uh It's certainly a good idea to keep going forward.

D

Great, thank you any other questions or any comments. Counselor denton. I have a.

D

Comment with memorial day coming up, I just want to thank the staff for including the.

D

Military discount for both the indoor pool and the boat launch in the budget. Thank you.

A

Any other questions or comments.

A

And we just got these answers to the questions of the public comment, so we'll have to.

A

Read and digest those, but for those in the audience tonight I think we can, unless there's no.

A

Further questions or comment about counselor taber were you on the fence? uh You have something to say.

I

Okay, you got me, um is this a time we could share our thoughts on this budget. Certainly, if you want.

A

But it's not required, uh we will have a you know, a public adoption of this but happy to to entertain.

A

Those comments at this time. Well, this might lead to further work by staff. I don't know.

I

I think the big story that we've got is is the 27 additional positions and contract wage increases.

I

And that drives much of our increase from 126 million to 133 million.

I

The tax burden- this is all good news. You know through outside funding sources. We've been.

I

Able to lower the increase in the tax burden pretty well, but I think my big concern is that.

I

A lot of the money we're using to offset the tax increase this year is one-time money.

I

3.1 million from the state for property tax give back and then another for.

I

400 000 for rooms and meals, tax and my concern is, is.

I

The rate of climb in our expenses when we get out to fy24 and page 118, I I'd ask we all look at that.

I

There's a forecast for the three years and when we get to fy24, the tax levy has to go up. Eight.

I

And a half percent, so we're not talking about 285 dollars per household, then we're talking about.

I

700 or so, if you include the sewer and water, and I just feel that's too much.

I

I think that's a big impact on taxpayers, especially when we know the commercial.

I

Property tax base- that's been so good to us, is going to turn and be less of a.

I

A way of saving our residential taxpayers, because the commercial tax base hasn't been revalued as.

I

Quickly as residential, so I would be looking for any ways we could come down.

I

You know between one and two percent in this budget and if those were possible to discuss.

I

That would be my concern and I think, a valuable topic for discussion.

I

You know at the end of the day, I think we can be progressive as we want to be, but we also can watch.

I

Out for our taxpayers, you know an efficient government is good government and I think we.

I

Need to set that expectation as the governing body, so those were my thoughts, counselor tabor.

A

Any other comments on this council rombardi and councillor bagley.

J

Thank you mayor. I thought the budget presentations were very compelling and.

J

I appreciate all the work that everybody did to create such a comprehensive uh proposal.

J

um And to the finance department for creating it such an organized uh beast to look at.

J

And read, I know some people came before us about extreme budget increases.

J

Including some of our past colleagues, however, I want to point out that the budget increase.

J

Last year was greater than the budget increase this year, so nonetheless, our community is facing.

J

Stress and from the stress, from the cost of living day to day costs of food, gas.

J

The cost of everything and like our residents, the city, is facing the same issue.

J

I've heard from residents about this, and especially from seniors who are on.

J

Fixed incomes and are living in a the house that they've lived in for years and years.

J

I, like john, would like to propose: we do something to try to help the residents. I.

J

Propose that we consider a reduction overall reduction to the budget of one to two million.

J

um Which is about a reduction of between three-quarters of a percent to.

J

One point two or one point: five percent of the budget. uh I.

J

Cannot assume to know enough about all our departments uh to make any line on him decisions.

J

Anyway, I think that doing so is beyond the role of the governing council, a policy body.

J

And so, in accordance with our goals of respect and inclusiveness, I would.

J

Rather suggest that the city manager, the police, chief, the fire chief superintendent.

J

Make some amendments to their budgets in concert with their? You know: respective bodies, their.

J

Boards and uh commissions and reach a budget that is pared down on.

J

Just as our residents have had to do too, they've had to bear down their budgets as well.

J

So that that's my feeling on it right now, thank you, council, rombardi, counselor, bagley,.

A

uh Thank your honor so um reading the response backs that we got tonight. I'm noticing that.

D

The policy that we have is a goal of 20 students or less in k-5 and 24 or less at greater levels.

D

And I was wondering if we could hear at a future meeting a little bit more about how we came across.

D

The 20 students or less my understanding, which may be incorrect, is 15 to 18 is ideal.

D

Especially k through three I've always calculated our school employee to grade levels by looking at.

D

The budget book and doing math- and you know, but that's not a as I'm realizing now a very accurate.

D

Way to do it because you get administration, you get. You know non-classroom teachers in their gym.

D

At the elementary school level, music, what else so I was surprised to see that it's, it's so high.

D

So it would be interesting just to hear um why we settled on 20 and if there's any science or.

D

Data to back that up, I'd be particularly interested in the grades k through 12.

B

Mayor we have the department heads here, including the superintendent, so if steve come up, the will.

B

Of the council we can bring steve up. I'm sorry, I think I said k through 12. I meant k through 3.

K

Thank you, counselor yeah, so the numbers that you see there.

K

Actually come from the teachers contract, so those tend to be the.

K

Suggested upper limits, if you will and then there's also a reference to the state regulations.

K

Which have slightly higher upper limits still, but I would agree with your point, which is that that.

K

Doesn't necessarily represent what we would say might be the ideal classroom and we're fortunate.

K

Here in portsmouth to have most elementary classrooms in that you know, 18-ish range generally,.

K

On the response to that question, in particular, we look at class, size and opportunities to.

K

Reduce staffing when we could do so and still maintain at least that 20 maximum, so.

K

We have done that in the last couple of years in a couple of instances where.

K

Even in reducing one classroom teacher at a particular grade level distributing.

K

Those students back out among the remaining teachers still yields classes less than 20.

K

What we, what we don't want to do necessarily is remove a teacher and then have the classes be.

K

A lot larger and a lot you know I don't to get into all of the details, but a lot of it has to do.

K

With the instructional strategies we try to employ in our classrooms a lot of small group instruction.

K

A lot of workshop model classrooms, particularly at the younger elementary grade levels,.

K

And, as you get into middle and high school numbers distribute differently so in the middle school.

K

We operate on a team structure and so those numbers and classes you could absorb more or.

K

Less students more easily in that environment, because you're distributing students across.

K

All different subject, areas of the team and so you may have classes of 15 one year but classes.

K

Of 21 another year and depending on which team it is, but in order to actually achieve a reduction of.

K

Staffing you'd have to have a substantial decrease in the population to essentially eliminate a team.

K

And then at the high school, it's driven department by department, and course by course we do so. We.

K

Make decisions whether or not to run courses based on whether or not we have enough students signed.

K

Up for them and then there's always that movement of of students among courses they choose and and.

K

Our classes generally hover again into that 20ish range, but some will top out a little higher than.

K

That at the high school level- but yes, we do try to maintain the reasonable class sizes at the.

K

Elementary in our smaller classes, at the youngest grades, I just got a follow-up, certainly sorry to.

D

Put you on the spot um at the elementary school uh grade levels and thank you for your explanation.

D

Would the calculation, if you said the class size was 20, does that just include the primary teacher.

D

Where would a pera or a classroom helper fit into that, or do they not park factor into the ratio.

D

Yeah they're not part of that equation, counselor, but they do factor in in particular. So we we.

K

Try to lend support in the areas that are in most need, of course, and while all of essentially all.

K

Of our elementary pairs are driven by the needs of individual education plans, ieps for students.

K

We, you know we go, we do try to make sure there's enough support in classes. If we.

K

Had to have particularly large classrooms so case in point, we constantly get. You know the the issue.

K

Brought up could we have just more regular, peras and say our kindergarten classrooms, which I think.

K

Is a need that that is there? I wouldn't doubt it in all of the priorities of positions. We look to.

K

Each year we've been fortunate again here in portsmouth to have kindergarten classes at a.

K

Level that we haven't seen that as a critical need and quite honestly hasn't bumped other needs for.

K

Staffing that we've had, but that is a conversation that we have each year, but the numbers, the 20 or.

K

Less don't factor in the paraprofessionals that may be in the room, because if they're.

K

If there is one in the room, they're tied to a student with particular needs. Okay, thank you.

A

Other questions assistant mayor, thank you for your honor, um a couple questions.

G

For um the acting chief or the um police commission, if you don't mind um so in in.

G

The request we have a request for an additional crime um analyst. I just had a quick, a question.

G

Thank you, um a question on the proposed additional position for the crime analyst. Do we currently.

G

Have a backlog of what um I guess: crime that needs evidence that needs to be analyzed.

G

Is that not it's not an evidence technician? It's a.

L

A crime analyst would primarily analyze data. Okay, not evidence.

G

And then um another question for the increased request of two officers. Has the department looked.

G

Into seasonal staff for our peak season, I think of other communities like hampton, and I know portland.

G

Does it and some other seaside communities bring on seasonal officers during their busier times.

L

No, so um I've worked for the police department for 24 years.

L

That's never been part of a discussion. I think what you have is. We have obviously a number of.

L

Unions that are contractually obligated to provide the police services in portsmouth.

L

Having additional part-time staff added to take on the role of a full-time police officer, I think.

L

Would would obviously be a fight through the working agreements right now to supplement that.

L

Staff, however, I will say what we do have is we have our auxiliary unit which currently right now.

L

Consists of 60 17, auxiliary officers and those are not full-time police officers with all the.

L

Benefits and salaries that that come with it. However, they are sworn law enforcement officers.

L

Who carry the roles and responsibilities and have powers of arrest and have all the same authorities.

L

As our full-time officers that do supplement our patrol force in the sense of.

L

Outside work, details special event coverage so when uh when, but they do not fill in on a basis of.

L

Like tonight, for example, if I had an open evening shift, we do not use their auxiliary officers to.

L

Cover a a full-time shift opening, however, they do supplement coverage in those other ways, such as.

L

Event coverage special details, presidential visits air shows all that sort of, so all that sort of.

L

Thing great, thank you for that. I think that is, that is all for me system here, council cook. Thank.

H

You mayor, I actually have a few more questions for you. If that's all right, um uh one of the questions.

H

That I had asked prior um was about overtime because I know there were concerns and that's why.

H

We were informed that you're adding some officers because you need to cover over time and.

H

We're going to a five percent budget um line item for overtime.

H

For next year, what is the current overtime in the budget? Is it five percent six percent, seven.

H

Do you know five percent? I believe karen is that correct five percent correct yeah, okay uh and.

H

Do you know what it is this year? It must be what we're tracking on right. Now, yes, uh karen.

L

Would be better served answering that I'm not sure what we're tracking on at the moment? Okay.

E

We're currently over budget on our overtime, but every single month we take a look at.

E

What our salary savings are we don't fill hour for hour on our patrol staff, basically.

E

Sometimes, on a 10-hour shift, we might only have to fill four hours because there's a swing shift.

E

That could cover some of those hours, so we just basically any of the salary savings that we have.

E

From vacancies or whatnot, I just make sure that we're not over that gap. Okay, so we we.

E

Still maintain doing a 10-year rolling average of the number of hours that we budget for um and so.

E

That's why it's still kind of consistent from year to year to year. I have a follow-on to that. um So.

H

Has there been, have you done an analysis to look at where the cost efficiency is there? So if we add.

H

Two officers are we actually saving money in overtime expenditures because we're also incurring.

H

Costs of health, insurance and pensions with those officers that we're not incurring with over time.

H

At what point does that break even- and I guess is really my question um again, if you put somebody.

E

You'll hire an officer they're going to be on a specific shift. You may have somebody.

E

On say, the day shift you put them on the day shift and it turns out to be the midnight shift.

E

That has somebody that's deployed to the military, so there's going to be no savings in that respect.

E

But on the day shift, if somebody had annual leave or sick leave or training or court.

E

You know those hours would be applicable for the days that that officer is on. Remember we're 24.

E

7, so during that 40 hour period you know we could plug them in in that respect. Okay, so in.

E

Terms of hours in terms of savings on overtime, we wouldn't even see that, probably for a year.

E

Because an officer is hired, they go to the academy, then they go to field training.

E

And you probably wouldn't see anything probably for a year, maybe two.

E

So we would again that would impact our open, beat section of the overtime and again that average.

E

Would come down if we weren't hiring for so many open beads, but it would take a little while.

J

One more, I have one more sorry, I'm just trying to to make sure that I understand the.

H

The need for the additional officers um so is currently we're operating clearly without.

H

These additional officers, what besides overtime, is driving um that need to add officers rather.

H

Than just restructuring the way that we are doing business sure it's a perfectly reasonable question.

L

um So I would say restoring or not adding 20 years ago we had 71 officers, uh our.

L

Predecessor is here wearing this uniform and your predecessors. There agreed that 71 20 years.

L

Ago, right, wrong or different was the right number, so officer, 69 and 70 is restoring positions that.

L

We previously had, I think, in some sense, when you hear the number 68 which we have.

L

Right now, uh people think that that's 68 people that are available to take calls for service drive.

L

Around in police cruisers and the fact of the matter is that's not the case that the real number.

L

Of officers that we have in the patrol division to take our calls for service answer, those 9-1-1.

L

Calls uh is roughly half of that number, because 68 includes the chief of police. It includes myself.

L

It includes uh our administrative uh support, so the number 68 can be misleading when you think.

L

That the well the 60 there's almost 70 cops in portsmouth. Well, it's true, but the number that.

L

Are actually on the road taking calls for service is, is roughly half that so calls for service from.

L

Year to year go up and they go down. We want calls for service calls for service going up.

L

Is not necessarily a good thing, we want our calls for service to go down and we do that primarily.

L

Through detection, deterrence and prevention, and if we had two additional patrol officers taking.

L

Calls for service being able to do those things and combine that with our community policing.

L

Philosophy, we feel that that's the best approach and the best it puts us in the best position to.

L

Be responsive of the type of quality of police product that we uh are accustomed to providing.

L

Thank you. Okay,.

A

Councillor tabor question for acting chief for yes uh question for captain maloney.

I

um We have currently five openings. Is that correct among our sworn officers, that is.

L

Correct: okay, and how long does it take to recruit and interview and background check and how does.

I

How long does it take to hire somebody if we fast-track a background process from.

L

Date of initial test to conditional offer to chief's interview, you're hired.

L

Lightning fast is a month. Lightning fast is a month.

I

Because uh in the uh strategic plan that the former chief mirner developed, he's.

I

He spoke, he wrote that it took sometimes up to a year to hire an officer and screen.

I

um I a year till that officer, let's say from the date of hire.

L

A year until that officer is responding to a call, a call for service is that that is accurate. But as.

L

As far as a year to if we have a vacancy and it could take 12 months to fill that vacancy, it could.

L

Depending on our applicants and the rate they wash out- and you know who who's in the process.

I

No, that's very helpful that helps me understand because I've been confused about it. So, in other.

I

Words, you have to train that person after hiring mentor them yeah, develop them correct. So after.

L

After a lightning fast hiring process, which would be a month, which would be a record that.

L

Person who may have to go to the police academy then spends four months at the police academy.

L

Then three months of additional in-house training here, so that officer who was hired in january.

L

May not be on his or her his or her own in a cruiser until january next year, provided.

L

They make it through all the training programs and prerequisites, and all that sort of all that.

L

Sort of thing so I'll just pose another option or scenario for you. What would be wrong with.

I

We're down five officers right now, which is a strain for your people, because they.

I

Have to cover that with overtime, but if we did the wage boost, that's in the budget.

I

The four percent to recruit good candidates and concentrated on filling our five positions.

I

And then you know, take a look at our overtime. Take a look at our our uh workload before.

I

Hiring another two and going up to 70. fair enough question. If we were to get to.

L

68 in a couple of months, if we were to hire for those five positions and we're full.

L

At 68 on paper, we're full at 68. that doesn't account for fmla, long-term military, sick, injured.

L

Workman's comp, we would never operate at that 68 and operate efficiently, as we could with two more.

L

Because of we, we never have 68 available officers and those those numbers in patrol that more like.

L

33, we don't have that so we've already forecasted that we've already thought that sandy. If we had 68.

L

Officers and every single one of them was here and worked seven days a week, but we know that's.

L

Not reality so which, which is why we're asking for the additional staffing? Because- and I I completely.

L

Understand your question is: if, if we're at 68 right now and we're five short, why don't we.

L

Fill those five and see what happens? We already know what happens it, which is, which is why we're.

L

Asking for the additional two we know what it's like to operate at a full strength. 68.. Thank you.

A

Any other uh this system here, thank you, ronnie um to pick piggyback a little bit off of councillor.

G

Tabor, um do you do you think it it's realistic that we within the next budget year will be able.

G

To fill, if you are given the two additional roles, all seven roles- yes, we have right now in for these.

L

Five vacancies that we have right now we have uh five in the process and two additional in case.

L

Any one of those five wash out so um I wouldn't anticipate any issue whatsoever with filling 69.

L

And 70, because of the amount of the the tremendous work that our recruitment division does with.

L

Filling the vacancy, so if we have five right now, there are oral boards virtually on a weekly basis.

L

To fill these positions, so we would not have any problem. Despite what I told you, our challenges.

L

With recruitment retention, there are still people out there and we'll find them. Thank you.

A

Councillor denton, thank you. Honor captain, william, I'm just going to.

D

Ask you this because you're standing there, but it's more than I walk away or.

D

I guess all of the department heads for all the new positions that impact what the impact would be.

D

If we delayed some of them by six months, past councils have done that just to have some.

D

Savings for the first six months of a year and I'm wondering for the positions what you're requesting.

D

What do you think the impact would be if we held off on hiring until six months from now, given the.

L

Amount of time, as I just explained, to get somebody in the academy and get somebody trained who.

L

Is non-certified, for example, so which, which you they're talking about 12 months? You know that.

L

Puts us out doing that puts us out. You know, 18 months, maybe two years uh from having that relief.

L

However, that said, I know that that's been done in the past and if, if that were something that.

L

The council, ultimately decides is best for this budget. That is something certainly that we would.

L

That we would work with, but again part and parcel of that fact of we don't have an.

L

Ability to control whether we're going to get a lateral transfer, which means somebody I can.

L

Put on the street four and a half months sooner than somebody who's brand new or whether we get.

L

A lateral officer who can come onto the street in a relatively shorter period of time our preference.

L

Would be not to, but I know it has been done in the past and if that's what the council agrees is.

L

Is ultimately the best fit here, we certainly wouldn't wouldn't say no to it. Thank you.

A

No other questions.

A

Thanks captain okay, thank you any other questions for any other departments.

A

Counselor bylaw. Thank you. um It's more of a statement than a question um I want to. You know.

F

Piggyback kind of off of what council, lombardi and councillor taber said earlier that I realize.

F

We're all going through financial struggles right now with the price of cost of living price of gas.

F

Price of food price of everything and we're aware of that, so I feel like as a council. It is our duty.

F

um I mean you're the ones that elected us in it's our duty to look out for you, um so I do employ.

F

This council to try to look at any ways we can to try to amend this budget, one to two percent.

A

Council by bailout, right with that, I think we can open it up to.

A

This did you have anything cute.

A

Public comment again: we will have uh at the next council meeting.

A

We will we will amend the rules to allow more than three minutes for the public comment session. There.

A

Regarding the budget, but three minutes in your head in your heart, but there's no timer do the.

M

Best, I can so uh good evening everyone rick baxter at 1395 island street. I would first like to thank.

M

The council for some of their, I guess, discussions. I think it's interesting. I think it shows a better.

M

Case of looking out for residents, which is what you were elected to, do I'd like to give kudos.

M

To the mayor, I'm hoping that I can hear more of a dialogue moving forward when it comes to the I.t.

M

Recommendations as far as with the discussions you had at the brief at the previous one, because.

M

You're right outsourcing is one expenditure. When we take them into consideration, we have to deal.

M

With this retirement with their pensions, I mean I get it. I mean life safety, it's great.

M

I mean, and it's really hard to go and tell the department whether they can or they can't but.

M

What you have to take into consideration and I'll use my wife as an example, so she's, a teacher in.

M

Rochester she makes x amount of dollars period and she gets paid pretty well and covid came.

M

And hit and rochester is taking care of them, but was never taken to consideration. Is the package.

M

My medical insurance and my dental insurance and everything that we have the retirement that my.

M

Exceeds exceeds her salary and if you look at the cases in our departments, whether it be from.

M

The government departments, whether it be for the police, the fire, any one of them. You have to take.

M

That into consideration the value is there I mean, and I I get it, that we we don't pay.

M

As far as a salary goes as high as you know, but as as the captain had gone and said, there's been.

M

Five positions for the better part of probably three to four years that have not been filled.

M

And I'm hoping that they go and they fill it to make it easier on everyone else when it comes to.

M

That overtime, it would be great, but we don't have that and please ask the question to the.

M

Fire department, because it's the same thing, I sat on a council where we went and we approved four.

M

They have not been able to fill and it's not the fire department's issue, a problem. It's a matter of.

M

Being able to get firefighters that are come here, you know I had the great privilege of serving with.

M

12 other mayors around the state of new hampshire and when I was told what a firefighter in concord.

M

Makes why in the hell, would anyone come down to portsmouth to be a firefighter when an.

M

Average firefighter is making almost a hundred thousand dollars a year. That's their salary.

M

That's not their perks and their packages and everything else. So that's hard. We have to.

M

Sell it so now your job is to determine working with the department on whether this is the best.

M

Time I like the strategy of six months, I like the strategy of maybe waiting another year to see what.

M

Happens: let's see what happens the recession, let's see if building costs come down, if gas comes down.

M

If food comes down, that's our jobs, that's what we're supposed to do now. I have to explain.

M

Myself, because many people have asked me and even council lombardi had gone and made a statement as.

M

Far as with the percentages, and how does rick come to a percentage, and you got council huda.

M

That's a percentage and- and we say it's only a percentage and it's only seven million dollars.

M

It's ten and here's why my council passed a budget last year of 123 million dollars.

M

And I'll use round numbers because it has a lot easier and throughout the course of our term and.

M

In december we did a one-time expenditure, 2.2 million dollars- to do something good for the.

M

Community that's been waiting since I was a kid for a skate park. We were going to use it.

M

So we went as a one-time expenditure on an unassigned fund balance so that wasn't money.

M

That was collected last year or the year before that had been collected and pooled, and we put.

M

That into our unassigned fund balance and that's one of the things as council cook will go and say.

M

That helps to give us our aaa bond rating. Now, when we did that judy from the finance department, we.

M

Asked her if we do the 2.2 million dollars, is this going to hurt us in any way whatsoever and in her.

M

Mind it really wasn't going to. We didn't, have all the revenue we still have revenue coming in, but it.

M

Wasn't going to be anything that would dip below the percentage of what we'd be able to yield for.

M

Many years to give us this aaa bond rating, which is great, we can spend it, and it's in this budget.

M

So if you take hundred and thirty twenty three million dollars say two million dollars, that's.

M

Now 125 million dollars one-time expenditure- why is two million dollars in this budget today, I'll.

M

Take that a step further, this council, when took on a signed balance and took nine million dollars.

M

To pay out of litigation for a lawsuit that was again added on to this budget, so in accordance.

M

That's three million dollars that was added on to my budget of 123, bring you up to 120 26., so.

M

If you add the city managers now seven million dollars on top of that, it brings us up to 133.

M

Well, if we had two one-time expenditures, why is it three million dollars built in this budget.

M

Do we need the taxpayers that did not pay last year in their budget they paid over a period of.

M

Time and because of john bohenko and our staff, and and and and karen kennard, continuing the process.

M

We filled those buckets the ones that we didn't use. We didn't use money from police, we didn't.

M

Use money for fire, it comes back to us and then we distribute it in the buckets so that three million.

M

Dollars between this council and the last council doesn't need to be in this budget. It shouldn't be.

M

133 million dollars it should be 130.. That's how I come up with the 10 million dollars. Please ask.

M

Because if that's the case- and this council goes with the 1.2 to 1.5 percent reduction, now you're.

M

Talking about doing something for the taxpayers, thank you very much for your time. Thank you. Rick.

A

Anyone else for public comment.

N

Mr kennedy 41 pickering up, I want to thank everyone for a budget season.

N

I also want to let everyone know that last year, on june 7th, we passed a budget of 123.2.

N

Million and the city manager had come in the beginning of budget season with a higher budget.

N

Counselor huda and myself.

N

We personally met with all the department heads to understand their budget and.

N

Get to know what they truly believe in get to hear their feelings. Get to ask some questions.

N

And we were able to make some calls with the state find out what was going on with.

N

Our health insurance make some other calls to find out some more information. We were able.

N

To bring it down by 33 cents of the 60 cents that was brought forward by the city manager.

N

That would have been edition high, so I guess I am pleased to hear some of you thinking about this.

N

And you know, I know a lot of you ran on the fact that you want affordable housing.

N

And when we keep adding budgets you're not going to have affordable housing.

N

I would like a clarification about the number of renters and the number of residents and the.

N

Number of people that have second homes, because I think those numbers are off a little bit all.

N

Over the place, because I've heard a couple different numbers during this budget season.

N

But I think we want to make sure we have a diverse community.

N

And by raising the budget by 10 million dollars again on june 7 2021, we voted for.

N

123.2 right now, you're at one third, thirty, three two.

N

I ask you to dig a little deeper folks. I ask you to look at those positions.

N

I have shared using my expertise in the field on how we can use some of those federal funds.

N

I, for one, do not want to see any federal funds go back to the to the state and.

N

I would ask you become familiar enough. I was kind of hoping we'd hear some of that tonight.

N

Because I really think it's unfair to the citizens that I mean we started to hear it, but we didn't.

N

Hear any um kind of how we're going to get there we heard over. All I want to see a two percent.

N

One to two percent decrease in our budget, but I didn't see how you're going to get there.

N

So, as a citizen, I ask you to tell us how you're going to get there. People financially are having.

N

Difficulties, we know that we have people that are seeing their drive to work cost a lot more. We know.

N

That people have mental health issues right now. I'm surprised that we're thinking of new.

N

Officers and we're not thinking of mental health professionals working in the police department.

N

That should be part of your thoughts. Our school population is going down. So what does that look.

N

Like you asked councillor bagley, you asked some nice questions about it tonight. I can.

N

Tell you that of those percentage of students in the classroom, you didn't ask how many peras were.

N

In each classroom, which would really look at the numbers of students and teachers and percentage of.

N

That you asked about the parents, I commend you on that. You didn't ask how many are in each classroom.

N

So what truly is our student to personnel ratio? That would be the question. I also feel.

N

In our conversations, I thank you for holding the pile the public dialogue. I was one of three.

N

And I truly believe that people go and speak. um I like what mr er counselor bagley said. However, I do.

N

Think it is wrong to tell people that they might not be. Their comments might not be made public.

N

If it's a public dialogue, you don't know who else is in that room.

N

And it could be the press, it could be anyone and their comments could be public, so I wouldn't want.

N

To give false information, I think when anyone speaks, it will be public potentially just like.

N

When you comment on facebook and comment on social media, it could be public. Lastly,.

N

I think that we really need to look at how our city is going to support um the small businesses.

N

I have said in the public dialogue, I've said here publicly. We do take care of our dining.

N

Professionals, but we miss out on some of those other small businesses that are out there.

N

That are really struggling, and I would encourage you to think about how you can come up with a.

N

Small business consortium that everyone can join and people in small businesses don't tend to be.

N

Able to afford or have the overlay, especially now for the chamber. So how are you going to get.

N

Their word out as a council, I worked on this and I will continue to work on this. It's a struggle.

N

Don't get me wrong, you have forty thousand dollars in our budget for the chamber.

N

The question I have for you is: does that help every business and I think the answer is no.

N

I lied. I have one more. Lastly. Lastly, um mr lombardi, uh council lombardi, I just want to say.

N

Our budget was low last year our percentage was lower than what you guys are looking at right now,.

N

So I would encourage you if you want to sit down with me. I'd be more than happy to show the numbers.

N

I just looked them up, but I think let's, let's all put it out there and let's really look at it.

N

Right now we're looking at 10 million dollars more, and I ask you to cut it. Thank you. Thank you. Ester.

O

Good evening, petrahuda 280 south street nice to see you all again.

O

Tonight, I'd like to thank director of finance and the city manager for.

O

Explaining some of the variables.

O

Which all were on the revenue side? So I'd like to kind of hit the revenue side and how much revenue.

O

Is actually coming into the city and I'd like to see actually in our budget books or our.

O

Our statements where it's coming in so again I'm looking at page 129, and this is your revenues.

O

The interesting thing here is, I didn't on the in the budget books. We don't have any actuals for.

O

This year, so I went back to our last schedule of actuals, which is march we're at the end of may so.

O

I'm looking for april, but march will do um and in some spots um basically the same spots that.

O

Were questioned last year were doing really well as far as uh as revenues, especially in our local.

O

Fees and licenses and permits uh at march we were supposed, we should have been at seventy percent.

O

We are at ninety percent of revenue, excellent, we're coming out of copenhagen.

O

The other questions I uh I do have is: uh where do we see our arpa funds, our ester funds? I.

O

Found a couple of things in here that I don't understand, and I know you can't answer now, but.

O

um If somebody could tell me what the attic adequate education grant is.

O

That would be great. We've got three million dollars in there for that.

O

And um the last thing I would like to hit on this is uh in our budget kickoff meeting of 125.

O

The director of finance had mentioned that we had, we had a refund of our health.

O

Health care premiums again uh because of covid, because other monies were coming in.

O

But the amount of that was not mentioned and I would like to know if that's um reflected in.

O

Here somewhere, or it's reflected in our rate, um we we had incoming money for covid that was put.

O

On our health care, we received a refund last year of somewhere in the 800 600s, and I would.

O

Like to know how much that was this year, uh I would also like to like to uh discuss page 130.

O

And my question: there is counselor tabor's looking for some revenue.

O

In the uh in the march book on uh rooms, rooms and meals, tax.

O

um We put in there uh for budget in fy 22 125.. We are already at 1 million six. Thirty nine.

O

So my question is why, in the budget for this year, uh are we at one million five fifty.

O

So, if we're only at seventy five percent of the year, looking at march.

O

um Can we bring this up a little bit that will um that will definitely affect things.

O

uh The next question I have is about the uh is about the appropriations. We have a budgetary.

O

Appropriation from the fund balance of 480, which, with my uh old hat on I know, that's for mcintyre.

O

uh We have a new one in there for the budget this year of a million. um I guess my question to you is.

O

um Since I know this is mcintyre since I know this is may after may 15th. My question is.

O

Have we cut the check to mr kane and has he dropped the lawsuit.

O

I don't see, I see a drop in this for this year, but I don't see where it actually happened.

O

So I know you can't answer now, but um I would like that answer to that question also on the subject.

O

Of uh of appropriation of fund balance, um as the mayor said, we started last year at 1232 million.

O

The appropriation is made for the skate park and appropriation is basically putting setting aside.

O

Of money that could be spent, if you want to, I could read you the uh description. That's that's.

O

In the uh it's in the budget book, but we have not spent that it is not intended to be suspended.

O

But in our in our budget presentation here we also have 3.214 million.

O

As if this money was still in there, so I would ask for clarification on the numbers on page 130.

O

At the bottom, because that money has not been spent and it will be moved out to fy24, so the.

O

The perception that an appropriation will be spent there is totally false, so I hope that uh I hope.

O

That gives you a little piece of the other side of where the revenue is and maybe more questions.

O

That can be answered in the next budget session on the revenue side. Thank you. Thank you. Petra.

P

Mark brighton, south mill street, I was given a challenge.

P

When I came up here to say the phrase- 10 million dollars three times before I was done speaking.

P

And now, let's face it, 10 million dollars is a lot of money. Excuse the hand signals madam uh manager.

P

Now I did have the pleasure, that's not why I can't what I want to really talk about.

P

I had the pleasure of speaking with councillors, cook, blaylock and tabor and.

P

Much of that discussion was around.

P

The fire department, because obviously we're sitting out in the fire department uh station two.

P

And the statement was made that uh that uh they they're.

P

They can't get right or typically in the past, when they would have put out you know a request for.

P

An additional uh fireman they would fire person, they would get 85 applicants.

P

Now they're lucky if they get 10. and the chief believes that a good part of that is because the.

P

Starting pay is crap now I'm sold on that idea, believe it or not, but.

P

I've thought about some of the other things I mean. He said it being it's nearly eight percent.

P

Based on what I understand that the that it would need to come up to, but now I don't understand why.

P

We are giving uh monies to every union employee. Basically, it's just you know, four percent. When.

P

I mean if, if we're going to get experienced fire people in here.

P

We need to st up that starting salary. I mean, if you're getting 10 applicants and he washes out.

P

You know I gather they're still having problems, you know filling the four that.

P

Are still vacant there's a reason for that, so we don't really have to give out.

P

Cop launch four or five percent to you know all the unions. It just doesn't make sense.

P

Okay, so I'm sure I had something else, but I've forgotten it so I'll spare you, but.

P

Petra, esther and rick are correct: 10 million dollars.

A

E

Good evening my name is liza hewitt. I live at 726 middle road.

E

I read in the paper that the increase to the budget this year will be 10 million dollars.

E

That's a lot of money, 10 million dollars.

E

You've had budget meetings where people have spoken asking for money and you've.

E

Had public dialogue where people have spoken, who are going to be the ones that are paying the money.

E

It's a lot of money and I would like to think that my husband and I will be able to stay in.

E

Portsmouth we speak a lot. Maybe you'd rather not have a stay here, but we would like to stay here.

E

I'd like my children to be able to live here at this point, one cannot afford an apartment.

E

And the other one can't find an apartment. I would like my friends to stay here.

E

I would like people that I don't know to stay here. I'd like everybody to stay here.

E

But with what you're proposing it's not going to happen, and I think that the ball is in your court.

E

Now, your court, you go back and you find a way to make this more affordable for the people that live.

E

Here, for my husband and myself for my friends for my children, that's what you were voted into.

E

This office for and that's what we're expecting so, please find a way find a way to make that happen.

E

Lower this budget and find a way that you can make it affordable for everyone who wants to live here.

E

Thank you. Thank you, liza. I want you to stay here as well. Anyone else.

Q

Hello, I'm sue polydura middle street and um I just wanted to bring in a couple of.

Q

A couple of issues uh some about the national economy, which is what I have been.

Q

Talking about in relationship with the increase that you is being proposed, um heating oil is 5.99.

Q

Again, there's some people that need it, because the way their system is designed, uh they did it.

Q

During the summer, because it actually uh connects their heating or their hot water during year round,.

Q

uh That gas prices- I guess stop this this morning- for 4.98 for the cheap stuff. You can call it that.

Q

Electricity is in new, hampshire is 56 higher than the national average 56 percent.

Q

Now it is not a 5.8 budget that you're proposing it's a 5 budget plus.

Q

Oil plus gas plus electricity plus groceries, which are now because of inflation being 8.2.

Q

This is an aggregate, it isn't just a a budget that is in a vacuum right now,.

Q

You say: oh we're just going to create a 5.6 budget. Please take a look at all of these figures.

Q

It's an aggregate again like I said the last time you can't make a decision locally without.

Q

Looking at what's happening in the national economy, they are forecasting, stagnation,.

Q

Which is inflation and also lack of growth? All of these things need to be taken into consideration.

Q

Also last meeting, I heard something that troubled me and I thought about it. A great deal.

Q

And one of the counselors called um the city manager, please don't take offense.

Q

As the captain of the ship, and they will go with the captain, tell them to do. I worked in the navy.

Q

If you, if you're in the submarine the captain, may tell you what course, but it's the helmsman.

Q

That gets you there and he's a guy uh running the sonar. That makes sure you don't bump into things.

Q

While getting there, so if that relationship- and I read the charter several times.

Q

That relationship is outlined on what the city council does and what city management does city.

Q

Management I eat uh the city manager works for you all right. When I heard about being the captain.

Q

So what does I make you, the elected governing body of portsmouth, that camps I mean this relationship.

Q

Needs to be on the right place, I'm not saying adversarial, I'm not saying you know, go the.

Q

Other way, but you are ultimately responsible for what happens with this budget and what happened.

Q

With many other things, so I just want to bring that to your attention. I have read the charter.

Q

I keep reading it, I mean I'm sorry, but I'm a historian. So I don't mind. Reading boring documents.

Q

But I want to clarify that, for you, you are the governing body of the city. Thank you. Thank you. Sue.

R

Oh sure, 390 green leaf avenue, I'm one of the three police commissioners I'll be pretty brief.

R

I came to the police commission not really inclined to what I would thought would be growing.

R

The police department, adding police officers I'm very much an advocate of finding other ways of.

R

Doing the police department's job rather than adding the most expensive unit, um I'm now at.

R

A you know: I've spent a lot of time talking with everybo. You know all the leaders in the department.

R

uh The command staff several patrol- what I know now is something that uh active chief, maloney.

R

Talked about these, the two officers were talking about: are restoration, they're, not additions.

R

They are, we have a police department, that's been under a lot of stress for a while.

R

Since it went down to 68 uh and it it it's going to continue to be that way, because we're never.

R

Going to be at 68 or 70, because there's a in in any particular day because we're there's always.

R

Somebody on military leave there's always someone who's injured, there's always some fmla there's.

R

Somebody who's left and we there's a pause and we need to add another uh hire. Another person to.

R

Fill that spot and those you know going down to 64 or whatever the number is it continually puts.

R

Stress on the department- uh and it's not a matter of- we need two more two more officers to do even.

R

Better, we need two more officers to relieve the stress: that's on the department right now.

R

This is, I can't emphasize enough, this is about restoring where we were many years ago.

R

The department has come through a lot of stress, as many departments have during the pandemic and.

R

We just can't keep asking the department uh to handle that stress by moving things around.

R

And having people doing extra things, it's gonna where, where are people out and they're gonna leave.

R

So I again restore those physicians. Thank you. Thank you. Buzz.

S

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, paige trace 27 hancock street. I have a question.

S

For the city attorney- and I wonder how many of you have asked him, this question.

S

And if you haven't, maybe you should.

S

We're about to regardless of what you do with the budget.

S

The budget is high enough. The tax rate is high enough, which is driven by the budget.

S

So, while I applaud judy for trying to find things with the city manager to bring down.

S

The budget, it's not going to get brought down enough to battle the perfect storm of. What's.

S

Coming later on this year, right now, every resident in this town is okay. We have tax bills due june.

S

First, but those tax bills are predicated on the budget that the council that I sat on passed.

S

123.2 million dollars different time different place, laws, supply and demand.

S

As far as housing went pre-covered during coven.

S

So what happens when you have a budget? That's very much higher, I won't say 10 million dollars.

S

I believe it is 10 million dollars. I voted 123 too. The voted budget to the.

S

Budget proposed, the difference is 10 million that aside right now, you're all okay, because.

S

Roseanne lentz hasn't done the very hard work of revaluation and whether any of us like it or not,.

S

If you're sitting in a house that was appraised at a million dollars last year two years ago and.

S

The house next to you, sells for 1.8 million. Where is roseanne lance going with that.

S

Now the residents to date haven't figured that I mean they figured it out. They know it's coming.

S

But when you have a higher tax rate and then you have a huge revaluation law of supply.

S

And demand portsmouth's wonderful, we all love it. Everybody else in the world wants to move here too.

S

So when you don't have that many houses available or apartments available, what happens.

S

Roseanne does her job and I applaud you roseanne wherever you are um for for for doing that. Job.

S

It's what she's hired to do, but there are going to be more angry residents.

S

In this city frustrated angry simply because they're frustrated because they're sad.

S

They don't want to move. None of us want to move, we want to keep our homes, but.

S

How many of you here know what the taxes are on a house? That's appraised at just shy of 1.3 million.

S

Yeah, it's a lot of money, it's scary money! So if it's 1.3 now and suddenly next year, it's.

S

Where it should be because of a revaluation, how does the average person who's retired.

S

Suddenly budget for that, so my question to the city attorney: is this:.

S

If you have a mass quantity of portsmouth residents,.

S

Who very truly cannot afford to pay their taxes, it's the perfect storm and it's coming. How much.

S

Does it cost the city of portsmouth every time you look at someone and they say I cannot pay my taxes.

S

So the city then has to, I guess, eventually place a lien on the property and then from the lien.

S

Either you try and negotiate something with the resident or you go into foreclosure.

S

That costs the city money and there will be a lot of those if something doesn't give somewhere.

S

And you've got to realize that the budget that you want, however, pretty and wonderful it is- is.

S

Not going to allow that tax rate to come down far enough to offset what roseanne lentz has to do.

S

I can't say it any further now to add confusion, I'll say yet. At the same time, I know that the.

S

Mayor councillor tabor, because I've sat with you agree that fire and police are life. Safety.

S

The fire department isn't just about putting out fires. The fire department is about saving.

S

The guy that has the massive heart attack, if you only have so many emts and one of them's.

S

Out one end of the city and the others out the other end of the city. What are you going to do.

S

You can't say, oh I'm sorry, we should have had five more people on that department.

S

But we didn't so your your your father died, your husband died, it's it's life, safety and.

S

It's the same thing with the police department: you have a bad accident and you don't have.

S

Enough police officers- you have a crazy saturday evening and you got a whole bunch of people og.

S

And you don't have enough police officers and you don't have enough fire department, personnel.

S

To make this city safe, that's the fact so, somewhere this budget has to give there.

S

Are a lot of items in this budget that have nothing to do with life safety, and I.

S

Implore all of you- and I do expect to figure um if at all possible from the city attorney.

S

And so how much it just does cost. When somebody comes to the city and says I can't pay my taxes.

S

And I will leave it at that because that's a rhetorical question and I know that I cannot.

S

Have the answer tonight, but I implore you all to ask him also because it's important and you will.

S

Have taxpayers in that position and they will not be happy with you when the revaluations come out.

S

I guarantee it, sadly, because I think you're all doing a pretty good job.

S

But you don't have a choice in this one. Thank you very, very much. Thank you. Paige.

A

Any other speakers, any speakers on zoom, no, oh yep, there is one. I do wait until this all right.

A

uh Can we bring forward uh lisa rappaport? If I can read that quickly? Yes, I can that's lisa's face.

Q

Hi everyone, my it's my mute off: yes, hi, lisa, rappaport, 139 south street in portsmouth.

T

I wanted to speak briefly on two things tonight. First, I just wanted to take a minute to thank.

T

All of you on the council for taking the time to do so. Many different public budget sessions.

T

I can see that attendance maybe wasn't as high as we'd hoped for, but you really.

T

Do need to take the time to get that idea built up over a couple of years. I think it's a fantastic.

T

Idea- and I think ultimately, our city benefits the more opportunities that people get to have.

T

Just face-to-face conversations and really talk to each other about how the money's being spent.

T

And why and have those conversations, so I just wanted to say thank you for making that effort.

T

And I hope that it does continue in the future. I did also just want to speak briefly, because I hear.

T

So many people coming up to the podium tonight rightly concerned about where our economy is at.

T

You know I own my own business. I have neighbors on either side of me who paid way more for their.

T

Houses than I did not that many years ago and I'm worried about my taxes, but I do just want.

T

To take a moment to speak up for our teachers and our kids, um counselor bagley, you know asked.

T

About class size- and you know when we're dealing with unprecedented upheaval, that our kids and our.

T

Teachers and everybody in our schools have been through over the last few years. You know we need.

T

That one-on-one attention in the buildings and we can't address learning loss. We can't provide more.

T

Mental health services, we can't address challenges with behavioral health and emotional health.

T

By cutting jobs or making classes bigger, so I just want to put that out there again just to speak.

T

Up for our teachers and our kids and everybody who's working in our schools, because it's true.

T

We're all having a hard time financially right now and the economy doesn't look great.

T

But if we shortchange our kids, we're going to have a generation of kids who come out.

T

Of our high school and they're not going to be able to contribute to our community.

T

The way that we want them to so I just hope that you all can keep that in mind. Thank you.

A

Thank you, lisa.

A

Any other zoom participants any other folks in the room, awesome. Well, um let's see anything else.

A

No it's just on to a german. I would like to thank um again the departments uh judy and andrew.

A

For putting a lot of time into this, ask the council to bring forth any.

A

Amendments to the budget by wednesday at 12, her kelly's request and also mine next wednesday.

A

Next wednesday, not tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, but a week from wednesday, so that should.

A

Be enough time um and just a comment on the um the overall tax rate and and budget we're talking.

A

About the budget and you'll see it reflected here on this handout, and hopefully this handout will be.

A

Made available online what happens to our actual tax rate um if the value of the property stays the.

A

Same if the value of the property goes up, the tax rate will will change to a lower amount to reflect.

A

That um that's not a it, doesn't you don't increase the budget and if property values increase.

A

uh The tax rate doesn't go on top of that it. It takes into account the broader.

A

Budget pie that we have so it's an important thing remember. I know roseanne's going to do her best.

A

There and it's going to be an interesting, uh certainly interesting time in portsmouth, with.

A

The amount of focus on that, but that is the that's talking about the pie um and or how, uh how big a.

A

Percentage of the pie that you have the budget is what we control right now. um The valuations uh are.

A

As separate, although uh related conversation, it doesn't mean, though, if the budget goes up.

A

And the valuations goes up that the tax rate goes up. uh That's that's just not how that works so.

A

Look forward to future conversations um and the council questions and and as always, if there is.

A

Any questions on this I want to thank the city, manager and deputy city manager for putting this.

A

Together, um if there are questions on this or you feel as though they weren't answered.

A

And you didn't have a chance to speak tonight, reach out to us as a council.

A

And we'll be happy to to look to to have a broader conversation.

A

On that, but with that um I will join the meeting and go celtics thanks guys.

A