Every year, Portsmouth decides how to spend your tax dollars. Schools, roads, parks, safety, services—it all gets decided in the budget process happening right now.
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$10MCost increases the city faces
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6 monthsTo shape the budget (Jan-June)
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YouCan make a difference
What Is the City Budget and Why Should You Care?
The city budget is Portsmouth's plan for how to spend money next year (July 2026 - June 2027). This affects everything: whether your streets get plowed, if there are enough firefighters, how good the schools are, what parks look like, and much more.
Right now—from January through June 2026—the City Council is deciding these priorities. They'll hold public meetings where you can speak up about what matters to you.
Here's the challenge: The city faces $10 million in cost increases (health insurance $3.7M, salaries $4.0M, non-operating costs $2.2M). That means tough choices. Some good ideas won't get funded unless residents show up and say they matter. Your voice can tip the balance.
When and How to Participate
The budget process has three main phases. You can participate in all of them.
NOW Jan-Feb
January - February 2026
Department Budget Hearings
The School Board, Fire Department, and Police Department present their budget requests. These are called "charter departments" and they present first because they're required by law.
What You Can Do:
Attend these hearings if you care about schools or public safety. It's also helpful to see what cost increases they're requesting—it sets the tone for the whole budget.
KEY May
May 2026
General Fund Work Sessions
This is the most important time to participate. The City Council debates everything else: parks, roads, housing, libraries, recreation, city services, infrastructure. They're making real decisions about what gets funded and what gets cut.
What You Can Do:
Show up to work sessions. Speak during public comment (you get 3 minutes). Email councilors before meetings. Bring neighbors. This is when your voice has maximum impact.
VOTE June
June 2026
Final Public Hearing & Vote
The last public hearing before the City Council votes to adopt the budget. Changes are still possible but harder to achieve. This is your final chance to influence the outcome.
What You Can Do:
If you missed earlier opportunities, definitely show up now. Public pressure at the final vote has changed outcomes before. Submit written testimony if you can't attend in person.
Meeting Calendar: Mark Your Calendar
Here are the key budget meetings where you can participate. All meetings are at City Hall unless noted otherwise.
January 2026
27
Mon
School Board Budget Hearing
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 7:00 PM
School Board presents FY27 budget request
29
Wed
Fire Commission Budget Hearing
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 7:00 PM
Fire Department presents budget needs
February 2026
3
Mon
Police Commission Budget Hearing
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 7:00 PM
Police Department presents budget request
10
Mon
Charter Department Follow-Up
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 7:00 PM
City Council discusses charter department requests
May 2026 MOST IMPORTANT
5
Mon
General Fund Work Session #1
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 6:00 PM
Council reviews all department budgets - Public comment welcomed
12
Mon
General Fund Work Session #2
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 6:00 PM
Continued budget debate and priorities - Public comment welcomed
19
Mon
Enterprise Fund & CIP Work Session
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 6:00 PM
Water, sewer, parking funds + capital projects - Public comment welcomed
26
Mon
Budget Wrap-Up Work Session
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 6:00 PM
Final changes and amendments - Last chance before June vote
June 2026
2
Mon
Final Public Hearing on FY27 Budget
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 7:00 PM
Last public hearing before adoption - 3 minutes per speaker
16
Mon
FY27 Budget Adoption Vote
📍 City Hall Council Chambers • ⏰ 7:00 PM
City Council votes to adopt the final budget
📅 How to Stay Updated: Meeting dates and times may change. Check the official city calendar at www.cityofportsmouth.com or call the City Clerk's office at (603) 610-7245 to confirm. Meetings are also streamed online and recorded.
What's in the Budget?
Portsmouth's total budget is approximately $150 million for FY27 (based on FY26 adopted budget). Here's where your tax dollars go.
📊 Note on Budget Numbers: All figures shown are based on the FY27 preliminary budget presentation (January 14, 2026) and FY26 adopted budget. Final numbers will be determined through the budget process and may change based on City Council decisions.
City administration, departments, buildings, roads, water, sewer
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Non-Operating
$27M (18%)
Debt service, county tax, insurance, capital projects, IT equipment
The Hard Truth: Why Budget Cuts Are Difficult
Most of Portsmouth's budget is locked in by contracts, salaries, and legal obligations. Only a small portion is truly flexible.
🔒Locked In (Can't Cut)
~$129M (86%)
💼 Salaries & benefits (contracts)
📋 Legal obligations & debt service
🏫 State-mandated education costs
⚖️ Contractual agreements
🔓Flexible (Can Adjust)
~$21M (14%)
🌳 Parks & recreation programs
🏗️ Capital projects & improvements
🏠 New initiatives (like housing fund)
📚 Some service levels & programs
What This Means: When the city faces $10M in cost increases (6.7% over FY26), they can't just "cut waste." Most money is already committed. That's why every dollar of flexible spending becomes a tough choice—and why your voice matters in setting priorities.
Understanding the $10M Challenge
The city faces major cost increases that make every budget decision more difficult. These are the preliminary FY27 figures from the January 14, 2026 City Council Work Session.
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$3.7M
Health Insurance
School Department (26.2% increase) and General Government (11.4% average increase) - collectively bargained benefit largely outside city control
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$4.0M
Salaries & COLA
Cost of living adjustments, step increases, and payroll taxes (FICA, NH Retirement) - contractual obligations across all departments
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$2.2M
Non-Operating Costs
Debt service, capital outlay, Rockingham County tax, and infrastructure needs - fixed obligations and essential investments
$10.0 Million
Total FY27 Cost Increase (6.7% over FY26)
This is why councilors are nervous about new spending—even good ideas. The city must find $10M just to maintain current service levels before considering any new initiatives. This represents a 6.7% increase over the FY26 adopted budget.
What Matters to You?
Choose a topic to see what's at stake and what you can advocate for.
Affordable Housing & Development
Portsmouth has a housing crisis—rents are high, homes are expensive, and essential workers struggle to live here. The FY27 budget has opportunities to invest in solutions.
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Housing Trust Fund allocation: The city created a trust fund in 2025 with $500K. Adding $250K-500K more would help build permanently affordable housing units.
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ADU incentive program: Fund grants or forgivable loans ($5K-15K per unit) to help homeowners build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This creates affordable rentals without city-owned development—other cities have successfully used this model.
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Zoning reform resources: Fund planning staff to update zoning rules that make it easier to build smaller homes, ADUs, and multi-family housing (relatively low cost, high impact).
Schools & Education
The School Board presents its budget separately, but it impacts the overall city budget significantly. School costs are rising due to teacher contracts, building maintenance, and program needs.
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Teacher salaries & retention: Competitive salaries are essential to attract and keep good teachers. This is usually the biggest cost increase.
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Building maintenance: School buildings need ongoing repairs and upgrades. Deferred maintenance gets more expensive over time.
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Programs & support services: Special education, counseling, arts, athletics, technology—these programs require funding to continue.
Roads, Water, Sewer & Public Works
Infrastructure isn't glamorous, but it's essential. Potholes, water quality, sewer capacity, and building maintenance all depend on adequate funding in the capital improvement plan (CIP).
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Road maintenance: Annual paving program to keep streets in good condition. Neglect means bigger costs later.
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Water & sewer systems: Aging pipes need replacement. Upgrades prevent breaks and improve capacity for growth.
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City buildings: City Hall, libraries, fire stations, and other public buildings need maintenance and repairs to stay functional.
Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Quality of life matters. Parks, playgrounds, recreation programs, the library, and community events make Portsmouth a great place to live—but they require investment.
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Recreation programs: Youth sports, summer camps, senior programs, and community events. These programs often serve families who can't afford private alternatives.
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Parks maintenance: Mowing, playground upkeep, trail maintenance. Small budget cuts here lead to visible decline.
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Library services: Books, programs, technology access, community space. The library serves residents of all ages and income levels.
Police, Fire & Emergency Services
Public safety is a major budget priority. Police and fire departments present their budgets in the charter hearings (January-February) and typically receive strong support—but costs are rising.
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Staffing levels: Officer and firefighter salaries make up most of the budget. Departments argue they need more staff to maintain response times and coverage.
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Equipment & vehicles: Police cruisers, fire trucks, protective gear, technology. These are expensive and need regular replacement.
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Training & wellness: Ongoing training, mental health support, and wellness programs help departments recruit and retain good personnel.
How to Make Your Voice Heard
You don't need to be an expert. Here's exactly what to do.
1
Attend a Meeting
Show up in person to City Council meetings, especially the May work sessions. You don't have to speak—councilors notice how many residents care enough to attend.
Tip: Check the city website for the calendar. Meetings are usually at City Hall, typically in the evening. Bring a friend!
2
Speak at Public Comment
You get 3 minutes to address the council. Introduce yourself, explain what matters to you, and ask for specific action. Be respectful and brief.
Tip: Write down 3 key points beforehand. Practice once. You don't need to memorize—it's fine to read from notes.
3
Email Your Councilors
Send a personal email (3-5 sentences) explaining why something matters to you. Use specific examples from your life.
Tip: Find councilor emails on the city website. Email all of them, or just your district representative if you prefer.
4
Submit Written Testimony
Can't attend in person? Email testimony to the City Clerk. They distribute it to all councilors before the meeting.
Tip: Same rules as speaking: be brief, be personal, be specific. One page is plenty.
5
Organize Your Neighbors
Five people saying the same thing has more impact than one person. Talk to neighbors, organize a letter-writing session, or attend meetings together.
Tip: Share this guide with neighbors. Start conversations at community gatherings or on neighborhood social media groups.
6
Follow Up
After you speak or send an email, follow up with councilors. Thank them if they support your priority. Ask questions if you're unclear about their position.
Tip: Be polite and persistent. Councilors appreciate residents who stay engaged throughout the process.
The Budget Process Is Happening Now
Portsmouth is making decisions right now about how to spend millions of dollars. Your voice matters. Show up, speak up, and help shape your city's future.
No! You're an expert on your own life and what matters to you. Councilors want to hear from regular residents about how budget decisions affect real people. Personal stories are more powerful than statistics.
How do I find out when meetings are?
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Visit the city website at www.cityofportsmouth.com and look for the City Council calendar. You can also call City Hall and ask the City Clerk's office for the schedule. Important budget meetings will be clearly marked.
What should I say in testimony or emails?
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Keep it simple: (1) Introduce yourself as a Portsmouth resident, (2) Explain what budget priority matters to you and why, (3) Ask for specific action (like "please fund X" or "please prioritize Y"), (4) Thank them for their service. That's all you need!
What if I'm nervous about public speaking?
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Totally normal! You have options: send written testimony instead, just attend without speaking (councilors notice), or bring a friend for moral support. If you do speak, write out your points beforehand—it's fine to read from notes. Most people feel nervous, and councilors are used to it.
Will my voice really make a difference?
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Yes! Councilors pay close attention to what residents say, especially when multiple people speak about the same issue. Even 5-10 residents consistently showing up can shift priorities. Budget decisions are influenced by who shows up and speaks up. Your participation matters.
What's the $8-10 million cost increase about?
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The city faces rising costs from three main sources: health insurance premiums (about $4M increase), salary obligations from existing contracts (about $3M), and increased debt service and county taxes (about $2M). This means the council has to find ways to cover these costs while still funding services—which makes every budget decision more difficult.
Can I participate if I rent instead of own?
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Absolutely! Renters are residents too, and your voice is just as important. The budget affects renters through services, programs, and policies (like housing initiatives). You have every right to participate in the process.
📚 Want to Dive Deeper?
For those who want to review official documents and detailed budget information, here are the key city resources:
📊 FY27 Budget Documents
Official preliminary budget presentation and supporting materials
💡 Tip: Can't find what you're looking for? Call the City Clerk's office at (603) 610-7245 or visit City Hall. Staff can help you locate specific documents and information.
Remember: Your Participation Matters
✓ The budget process is happening right now (January-June 2026)
✓ May work sessions are the most important time to participate
✓ You don't need to be an expert—share your perspective as a resident
✓ Every voice matters—even one person can make a difference
✓ Bring neighbors—numbers matter and show councilors what residents care about