Council Approves $57.9-Million Budget; Increases Tax Rate 1.98%
The Portsmouth Town Council met Monday night to discuss and vote on the provisional budget for fiscal year 2012-2013.
The Portsmouth Town Council held a budget workshop Monday night to discuss and vote on the $57.9 million provisional budget.
Featured here is a report of actions taken during the workshop.
The new budget results in a tax increase of 1.98 percent. The new tax rate, if the final budget is approved, would be $14.18.
The council must still approve the proposed 2012-2013 fiscal year budget, which is attached at right, before the budget is finalized. The vote will take place after a public hearing, which will be held on June 13 at 7 p.m. at the Portsmouth Middle School.
Bill Carson
7:38 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
The 2.5 % increase or $122.00 will help pay for any big repairs on the wind turbine!
The town did not buy a turbine that has a very good track record and a good warranty if they had the taxpayers should have saved money from the wind turbine profits .
The wind turbine was supposed to be an economic engine for the town -look what happened - need more money to keep fixing the turbine !
The turbine ended up being a giant toy -what a waste !
Mike P.
9:32 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
Not a good night for Portsmouth. Tough economic times create an atmosphere of fear and set the stage for extremists to be elected to office. Much more extreme and destructive instances are found throughout history.
The PCC faction on this council is our own local example of this pattern of behavior during economic panic. Shame on the voters…
Portsmouth Pride
9:35 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Yet another page from the, "You get what you voted for" playbook. How many people need to lose their jobs before this crew gets their pound of flesh? It's one thing to be fiscally conservative, it is another to ruin a town through fear mongering and slash and burn tactics. Where do the numbers for needed cuts come from? Their backsides, thats where. And to further that point, what do they do when they get the cuts they want? They demand more. No amount of efficeincy is going to be good enough, and every effort anyone makes toward meeting their demands is only punished soon after with an "I told you so" and further reductions. Sadly, when the systems we have in place do fail, these will be the same bitter people pointing at everyone else with venom and blame. Have you people not seen enough? I would say I can't wait for November, but have seen that this town still does not get it. Even the departments within the town won't stand by one another for fear for themselves. This is a disgrace.
Just Another Taxpayer
1:19 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The PCC is the parent and the TCC is its child. The leaders of these two organizations Mr. Fitzmorris and Mr. Nelson periodically converse and meet to discuss the tactics their organizations will use to "take down" town government, specifically the respective school departments and the unions (teachers, fire, and police.) Residents in both communities need to wake up before its too late.
Town resident for many years
1:43 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
It is a disgrace. I used to be proud of this Town. USED TO BE says it all.
getreal
3:36 am on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
In all my years as a town resident this is by far the worst town council I have ever seen.....Town Res you are right it is a disgrace what these PCCC4 and now Hamilton have done. I have always considered my self an independent but they make a great case for the Democrats...God help them if anything tragic occurs from this insanity and personal agenda/vendetta actions...
Home Ports
1:20 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
It doesn't take much to realize that spending has gotten several towns into or near bankruptcy RIGHT HERE IN RHODE ISLAND! The attitude of increased spending without regard for the ability to support it has consequences. If you think that Portsmouth is not subject to the laws of economics then you are kidding yourself.