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Portsmouth proposes $149.9 million FY26 budget; managers say tax rate would rise about 39¢
Summary
City Manager Karen Conard and finance staff presented a $149,894,940 proposed FY26 budget that would increase the tax rate by an estimated $0.39 (3.49%) and reduce more than 15 FTEs across departments; city officials emphasized timing, revenue assumptions and the end of ARPA funding.
City Manager Karen Conard presented the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at the May 28 work session, saying the plan “comes in at $149,894,940, an increase of just over $5,000,000 or 3.4% total,” and that it would translate to an estimated tax rate of $11.57, up $0.39 (3.49%).
The budget document is scheduled for final consideration at the council’s next regular meeting on June 9, Conard said. Finance staff framed FY26 as the first full year after most American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) support ends: “FY26 has to address a deficit in that regard of nearly $2,200,000,” Nathan Lenny said during the presentation.
Why it matters: the proposal would preserve core services while trimming staff, the…
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