“Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets “
President Ronald Reagan
It’s a Cold Day
On this cold day in November an envelope arrived in the mail. It was my new Portsmouth tax bill for 2024. Elections do have consequences for the residents here in Portsmouth. The lack of transparency on everything budget-related coupled with the new hires over the past two years and the lack of pushback by the newly re-elected Council has been astounding.
I believe City residents will be showing much buyer’s remorse as this year unfolds. The City PR machine will be spewing press releases: “Nothing to worry about! We have it under control.” The Perfect Storm is on the horizon for our city.
This Hits Home
My new tax bill represents a 6% percent Increase in my taxes this year which is just the start with this Council. They just do not get it. The next budget, for Fiscal Year 2024 which starts on July 1, 2024, will approach $150 million or more. This increase is from all the hubris coming due from the last two years.
Let’s see. What do I cut from my own monthly budget to make up the difference when I pay my new tax bill next year?
Stormy Weather
The City of Portsmouth has a spending problem. Budget control is the only way to control our tax growth. The most recent example is the proposed new Police Station at $72 million. It is a pipe dream at this point. It will be a budget breaker for this town.
The next two legs of the storm are coming next year.
Revaluation
A community-wide revaluation of property values is underway which will affect ALL of us. The City will be revaluing both commercial and residential properties. Yes, the tax rate may decrease, but the overall dollar amount everyone will be paying will be going up by a substantial amount.
Recent Court Decision Favoring Higher Tax Support from Donor Towns
The second leg of the storm is the recent court decision considering what is an adequate statewide education in dollar terms. Portsmouth will be on the hook for its share, probably close to several million dollars annually. While this is yet to be specified, it will be painful for the city as it will be a donor town. (Remember that statement from the past?)
Inept City Council
This City Council certainly does not have the will or expertise to navigate us through this maze of spending and hubris which started two years ago and continues unfettered today. The Council needs to take away the City Manager’s checkbook. Between overspending and reaching bonding limits, we are headed to a mountain of debt and the newly minted municipal contracts will limit our flexibility. Let’s not forget the recent lawsuits with Redgate-Kane and Toyota! Oh, my goodness, the City Manager forgot to put in $450,000 for legal fees in the current budget and is now asking for a special expenditure in the upcoming City Council meeting in December. When will this end? Just after the election… and the last two meetings before Christmas –Really?
Any Word from CLA, Our New Auditor?
The newly appointed auditor CLA is still working on auditing the city books for 2023. The supposedly citizen-based Audit Committee has not met since May. We are awaiting their results and analysis. CLA is the new auditor after 27 years of the same old one, Melanson. Stand by!
“Balancing the budget is a little like protecting your virtue: You just have to learn to say NO.”
President Ronald Reagan
Can We Taxpayers Ask for Budget Discipline?
At this point, looking toward Fiscal Year 2024, establishing a FLAT budget to last year would require some very Brave New Action by this newly re-elected City Council. This Council needs to shut the money tap off and protect the residents from continuing this unsustainable path of tax increases. Remember it’s all about wants versus needs. This Council did not see a new project or personnel request they did not want to fund over the past two years.
Are residents just holding their ire waiting for the next shoe to drop? I guarantee that the residents will not just bend over and wait for the expected tax increases when they hit next year.
It’s a new Progressive “spend on everything” mentality in our city now. Will any City Councilors just say, “No”? Do not hold your breath! Remember elections have consequences!
Peter A. Whelan
Portsmouth
