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Portsmouth staff warn health insurance, labor costs and capital needs could push FY27 budget materially higher
Summary
City staff told the Portsmouth City Council that three main drivers — sharply higher school health insurance claims, negotiated wage/step increases and capital/debt obligations — together could create multi‑million‑dollar pressure on the FY27 general fund and prompt council guidance on priorities and contingencies.
Deputy City Manager for Finance and Administration Nathan Lenny told the Portsmouth City Council on Jan. 14 that staff are preparing the FY27 general fund budget and that three large cost drivers require council consideration: health insurance, compensation tied to collective bargaining, and non‑operating costs such as debt service and capital outlay.
Lenny reviewed the adopted FY26 baseline ($149,894,940) and explained that, after Department of Revenue adjustments and property‑valuation growth, the city’s tax‑rate movement differed from initial projections. He said staff are framing FY27 from FY26’s position so council can give…
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