Proposed Portsmouth FY25 Budget Sees $6.2M Increase, US

PORTSMOUTH — City Manager Karen Conard has unveiled a proposed municipal budget of $144,861,347 for fiscal year 2025, representing a 4.5% increase over the current year’s budget. If passed as proposed, the estimated tax rate would be $16.85 per $1,000 of property valuation, a 4.45% increase over FY24. The proposed budget would result in an annual increase of approximately $347 for the owner of a median single-family residential home valued at $482,000. The plan includes 898 full-time personnel and 100 part-time personnel, in line with the City Council’s guidance. Mayor Deaglan McEachern emphasized the need to balance service demands with staffing levels. The budget also includes a continued distribution of $2.5 million from parking-related revenues to the general fund. Public hearings on the budget are scheduled for May 13 at the Portsmouth Public Library and City Council Chambers.