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Council keeps FY26 public hearing open; residents push for spending restraint while some propose shifts for police and schools
Summary
Portsmouth extended its public hearing on the fiscal 2026 budget after multiple residents and stakeholders urged scrutiny of staffing and spending increases. Councilors previewed possible amendments to police and school budgets and asked staff to provide options before the final vote.
Portsmouth City Council extended the public hearing on the fiscal 2026 budget Monday and asked staff and councilors to return with more detailed analyses before a final vote.
Why it matters: The FY26 package contains major items that affect property tax bills: proposed increases for schools and public safety, operating additions across departments, and a proposed bond program. Residents at the hearing urged the council to hold the line on taxes and seek revenue options or deeper cuts.
Public comment highlights Speakers included long‑time residents, business owners and district advocates. Rick Beckstead, a former mayor, criticized recent multiyear budget growth and urged council scrutiny of “where we spent money,” while Esther Kennedy and others pressed the council to consider revenue options and reductions in middle and upper management.
School and police spending were recurring topics. Cameron (last name not specified), a public commenter, cited a recent independent study saying the police department was efficiently staffed and questioned claims that cutting four vacant police positions would lead to increased violent crime; he urged investment in youth mental health in schools as a prevention measure. Nathan Delaney, speaking in his role with the school district governance, described the school department’s priorities, including requested paraprofessional positions tied to students’ individual needs.
Council discussion and next steps Councilors previewed amendments they may bring to the final vote. One councilor said he planned to reduce the proposed police increase to 2.01% from the city manager’s number; another suggested a modest increase to the school budget (from 2.89% to 2.94%) to fund specific positions such as middle‑school counseling and several paraprofessionals.
City manager and staff response The city manager told councilors staff had already trimmed general fund growth and identified more than 15 full‑time positions removed from the manager’s proposed budget. Staff said they would supply fiscal analysis requested by councilors, including the tax‑rate impact of any proposed amendments and any revenue options to offset increases.
Action The council voted to continue the public hearing and to take further public comment at the next council meeting before final adoption. Councilors asked that any amendments be submitted as early as possible (ideally a few days before the meeting) so the public and staff can review the proposals.
Ending The extension gives residents and councilors more time to weigh alternatives and for staff to produce the fiscal scenarios necessary for an informed final vote.
