Meeting Summary: Portsmouth City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Portsmouth City Council held a public work session and regular meeting on July 28, 2026. The work session featured a detailed update on the Main Street accreditation initiative and an extensive debate on a $2.5 million budget shortfall for Portsmouth Public Schools caused by a state-mandated teacher raise. At the regular meeting, the council voted to address the gap by transferring funds from a dormant risk management account, approved a resolution for a November referendum on a 1% sales tax for school capital projects, and directed staff to find $600,000 for elementary school resource officers.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously adopted the consent agenda (Item 26-178, 6-0), which included the acceptance and appropriation of grants for the Fire Department, Social Services, Commonwealth Attorney’s Victim Witness Program, local probation services, the Sheriff’s Office, and several behavioral health programs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sergi O’Neill: Addressed the school budget, urging better communication between the council and school board. Later, during non-agenda comments, he thanked the city for resolving the New Generation Band MOU issue and called for proactive safety measures in the London Oaks community.
• Lewis Padilla: Opposed the 1% sales tax referendum, arguing the school division should undergo an independent audit before taxpayers are asked to contribute more.
• Coleman Young: Urged the council to expedite the hiring of a vendor operator for the Pavilion, warning that delays cost the city revenue and strategic planning time. City Manager Carter confirmed the RFP will be issued on August 15th.
• David House: Reported on a property he has flagged for blight since February, noting that 9 violations were finally cited. He asked whether the city’s new blight ordinance would apply to the property. Council committed to following up.
• Alexandra Westfall: Representing West Haven, she argued that reduced side-yard setbacks create unsafe maintenance hazards. She clarified her advocacy was not NIMBY but a call for responsible, compatible development that respects neighborhood character.
• Leon Hammonds: Proposed naming the park on Jefferson Street after former Councilman and City Treasurer Charles Whitehurst. Council members praised the idea and directed staff to begin the official naming process.
• William Britt: Complained about speed traps and automated enforcement cameras on High Street, calling them revenue-driven. He urged that the funds be redirected to crime prevention in areas like London Oaks. Councilman Hugel disagreed, defending the enforcement of speed limits.
• Walter Carter: Reported that diseased sweet gum trees on a city paper street are threatening his home, stating he was asked to sign a liability waiver that he refused. He gave his copies of the paperwork to council members, who said they would investigate.
• Sherman Tyler: Praised Police Chief Jenkins for transparency but pleaded for city leaders to show more public compassion for families impacted by violent crime. He thanked Councilman Hugel for personally sitting with his family during a tragedy, stating that Portsmouth needs healing.

Discussion Items

• Main Street Update: Michelle Ren and Liz Pascalini presented on the Main Street program’s progress. The city is currently a “Mobilizing Main Street” community targeting “Advancing” status and eventually national accreditation. They reported 5,000 volunteer hours logged, over $4 million in public-private investment, a new Booms Tracker property database, building wraps, lighting and security projects, and a $180,000 “Unlocking Capital” grant for the Zion mixed-use project. The new brand “High Street Happens” was previewed, and Ports Events was relaunched to coordinate event management and DORA activations. Council discussed district boundaries, citizen input, ways to tell the program’s story, and the role of the city versus Ports Events as the “traffic cop” for events. The mayor praised the program as an “accelerator” for the city’s future.
• Public School Budget Gap (Work Session): City Manager Carter outlined four options to close a $2.5 million gap caused by the state funding 4% teacher raises (schools had budgeted for 2%). Options included using vacancy savings, anticipating year-end surpluses, maintaining the current budget, or reallocating city CIP funds. Councilmembers Thomas and Tillett supported using city CIP funds, arguing vacancy savings are unsustainable and would create a fiscal cliff. Councilwoman Bryant raised concerns about reopening the adopted budget. Councilman Hugel highlighted the need for a long-term funding formula. After debate, Mayor proffered a fifth option: releasing $2.5 million from a dormant Risk Management Schools Revenues Fund. The council reached consensus to pursue this route, contingent on school board agreement.
• Councilmember Items and New Business: Councilwoman Bryant provided updates on the Swanson demolition and the city event calendar. Councilwoman Thomas requested quarterly MWBE data, a follow-up on collective bargaining, and expressed support for quarterly joint meetings with the school board. Councilman Tillett reported on the legislative policy committee meeting. Councilman Hugel requested a consensus to find $600,000 to fund elementary school SROs after state funding was cut, which was approved by the council.

Key Outcomes

• School Budget Shortfall: The council voted unanimously (6-0) to adopt an ordinance (Item 26-179) transferring $2,522,484 from the FY 2027 Risk Management Schools Revenues Fund to the general fund to cover the school’s salary gap and approve the FY 2027 school budget. Councilwoman Thomas noted the option was presented last-minute but voted in favor.
• Sales Tax Referendum: The council approved (5-1) a resolution to place a referendum on the November ballot asking voters to authorize a 1% local general retail sales tax. Proceeds can only be used for capital projects (construction/major renovation) for Portsmouth schools. Vice Mayor Moody dissented, stating the city has funded three new schools within its budget without a tax increase.
• School Resource Officers: The council reached a consensus to direct the city manager to identify and allocate $600,000 to maintain school resource officers in elementary schools for the upcoming year, offsetting lost state funding.
• Future Collaboration: Council expressed a strong commitment to improving communication with the School Board. Leaders signaled intent to explore a formal revenue-sharing formula and schedule quarterly joint meetings to improve budget and capital planning.
• Other: The city manager was directed to begin the process for naming the Jefferson Street park after Charles Whitehurst following a request from the community.