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Votes at a glance: Portsmouth council adopts fiscal 2026 budget and tax levy, approves CDBG application for senior center and other measures
Summary
At its June 23 meeting the Portsmouth Town Council provisionally adopted the fiscal 2026 budget and tax levy, authorized a CDBG grant application to reimburse Rhode Island Housing for senior center condominium funds, approved capital purchases and smaller budget adjustments, and scheduled interviews for a municipal court judge vacancy.
The Portsmouth Town Council on June 23 provisionally adopted the town's fiscal 2026 budget, read and approved the tax levy ordinance, and approved several other measures including a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application related to the Addie Bethune House senior center, capital vehicle purchases for the police department and a $20,000 allocation for playground equipment.
Budget and tax levy: The council provisionally approved a gross appropriation of $77,093,060 for fiscal year 2026. After accounting for estimated state and other receipts the amount to be raised by taxes was listed as $65,047,886 and the maximum tax levy shown as $65,325,125. The council approved final ordinance language and a schedule for installment payments; the motion to adopt the ordinance passed 7-0.
CDBG application for senior center: The council held a public hearing and then voted to apply for a $1,250,000 CDBG award that would be used to reimburse Rhode Island Housing for funds it advanced toward the senior-center condominium portion of the Addie Bethune House development. The resolution to submit the grant application passed 6-0 with Councilor Patton recused. Town staff and the applicant said the grant is intended as a reimbursement mechanism and that the development is otherwise financed.
Capital and operating motions: The council approved use of up to $143,500 from the emergency vehicle apparatus capital program to purchase two 2025 Ford Explorer utility vehicles for the police department (vote 7-0). Councilors also approved moving $20,000 of new motor-vehicle-state-aid into the Parks & Recreation capital improvement fund for playground equipment at the Frank Carson/Redwood Farm neighborhood playground (vote 7-0). A noise-variance request to allow amplified music for an August 9 fundraiser at 333 Seaspray Drive passed 6-1.
Appointments, minutes and routine matters: The consent agenda and minutes from the June 9 meeting were approved 7-0. The council approved several reappointments to town advisory committees by voice vote. The municipal court judge will vacate a seat due to a planned appointment to probate court; the council set a July 1 application deadline and will conduct executive-session interviews in mid-July.
Several council votes were labeled provisional pending ministerial corrections or signatures (typical for budget and grant acceptance). The council president and town staff said any formal grant awards and contracts arising from tonight's votes will return to the council for acceptance or further action as required by town policy and state law.
