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Portsmouth council gives consensus to draft ordinance lowering business boat tax for small craft
Summary
Council signaled consensus to let staff include a proposed tax change in the FY2026 budget: a new business boat tax of $1.50 per $100 assessed for boats under 5,000 pounds, as an alternative to the current $5 per $100 rate for businesses.
City finance staff presented council with a proposed change to Portsmouth’s tax structure for business boats during the April 22 public work session, and council members gave consensus to move a draft ordinance into the FY2026 budget process.
Craig Burke, presenting the budget item, told the council Portsmouth currently applies a commercial boat tax that results in some business boats paying $5 per $100 assessed — higher than neighboring localities. Burke said staff recommended creating a separate classification for business‑owned boats weighing less than 5,000 pounds and…
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