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Council ratifies labor contracts and approves solicitor RFQ; votes summary
Summary
Council ratified negotiated agreements with municipal employee unions and approved an RFQ for town‑solicitor services. The meeting also included several other procedural approvals; this article summarizes formal votes taken on Jan. 27.
At its Jan. 27 meeting the Portsmouth Town Council approved key labor agreements and moved several administrative items through in a set of formal votes.
Union contracts: Town staff asked the council to ratify negotiated changes to two labor agreements. The Portsmouth Municipal Employees Association (PMEA) wage reopener was ratified by council action; staff described the negotiated wage adjustments as phased increases aimed at keeping municipal pay competitive amid inflationary pressures. The subsequent police contract, a complete multi‑year agreement covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, was also ratified; the police agreement included market adjustments, a $3,000 base pay adjustment in year one, higher percent raises in early years, restructured accreditation bonuses and recruitment incentives. Town staff said the FY26 budget includes the projected increases.
Other votes: The council approved an RFQ to solicit a new town solicitor and made clarifying edits to the draft RFQ before issuing it. The Board of Licensing Commissioners approved a peddler’s license for Coronado LLC (California Taco food truck at 1428 Hartford Ave.). The council also received routine finance and minutes items.
Votes at a glance - PMEA collective bargaining adjustment: ratified (motion passed; tally not specified on record) - Police collective bargaining agreement (07/01/2025–06/30/2028): ratified (motion passed; recorded as approved) - RFQ for Town Solicitor services: approved as amended (vote 7–0) - Coronado LLC peddler license (California Taco food truck): approved (Board of Licensing Commissioners; 7–0 recorded)
Why it matters: Labor agreements affect the town’s FY26 budget and personnel costs; the solicitor RFQ starts a multiyear professional-services procurement that will determine the town’s outside legal support. The votes clear near‑term personnel and administrative steps necessary for town operations.
What’s next: Staff will incorporate negotiated wage changes into fiscal-year budgeting and release the solicitor RFQ to identify qualified legal firms; the council will interview finalists as needed.
