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May 27, 2014
<br />Next Steps Following Council Action:
<br />• The full implementation of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
<br />Out-of-School Time Programs grant period is April 2014 to January 2015.
<br />Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Meeks, to adopt the following
<br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote:
<br />"ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $25,200 IN THE FY 2013-14 GRANTS FUND
<br />FROM THE NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION FOR AN OUT-OF-
<br />SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS GRANT."
<br />Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Randall, Wright
<br />Nays: None
<br />14 - 199 -Adoption of ordinances and resolutions to appropriate the total sum of
<br />$619,615,946 for the operation of the City Government for Fiscal Year 2014 - 2015
<br />for the following areas: City Operating Budget - $385,779,831; Capital
<br />Improvement Fund - $17,132,757; Parking Authority Capital Improvement Fund -
<br />$400,000; Public Utilities Capital Improvement Fund - $55,000,000; Portsmouth
<br />Public Schools Operating Budget - $161,303,358. Vision Principles: Change and
<br />New Directions, A Robust Economy for Working Men and Women, Lifelong
<br />Learning Community, Neighborhoods and A Sense of Community, Efficient,
<br />Responsive Government, Quality of Life, Pride of Past.
<br />Background:
<br />City Operating Budget
<br />• On March 31, 2014, the City Manager presented the Proposed Fiscal Year 2014
<br />- 2015 Operating Budget and Capital Improvements Program to City Council.
<br />• The budget was discussed in Council Work Sessions during April and
<br />May, and public hearings on the proposed budget were held on April 22, and May 13.
<br />The attached Ordinances and Resolutions will need to be adopted in order to
<br />appropriate the Budget.
<br />• VRS Contribution Rate - As part of the Language in the 2013 Appropriation Act,
<br />Item 468(1), localities were allowed to make an election regarding their employer
<br />contribution rate every biennium. Localities have the opportunity again to select which
<br />employer contribution rate for its locality to pay beginning July 1, 2014. The rate
<br />certified by the VRS Board of Trustees for the City of Portsmouth for the 2015 - 2016
<br />biennium is 12.09%. The alternate VRS contribution rate is 9.67%. The Fiscal Year
<br />2014 -2015 Proposed Budget includes retirement costs based on the 9.67% rate,
<br />which will cost the City 20% less than the higher rate for the biennium.
<br />• Community Planning and Development -The City prepared the 5-Year
<br />CP in order to strategically implement federal funding programs that support housing,
<br />community and economic development activities within Portsmouth. The US
<br />Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) intends that communities
<br />develop a comprehensive vision that encompasses affordable housing, adequate
<br />infrastructure, fair housing, enhancement of civic design, vigorous economic
<br />development combined with human development and a continuum of care for helping
<br />the homeless. For each of the five federal fiscal years covered by the adopted 5-Year
<br />CP, FFY2014 to FFY2018, the City prepares an Annual Action Plan detailing how the
<br />resources made available will be used to implement the goals outlined in the 5-Year CP.
<br />The City of Portsmouth FY2015, which runs from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, is
<br />the first year plan of the current five-year plan cycle. At a public work session on May
<br />13, 2014, City Council allocated Community Development Block Grant Program for
<br />down payment and closing assistance. This activity was not part of the Annual Action
<br />Plan that was on public display. The funds for down payment and closing will be
<br />allocated from the Neighborhood Improvement program. The City of Portsmouth will
<br />receive funds through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and
<br />HOME Investments Partnership Program (HOME). The financial resources the City
<br />expects to have available during the FY2015 program include a CDBG entitlement grant
<br />of $1,416,531, prior year reprogrammed funds of $41,483.45, and program income of
<br />$10,056 of program that was previously appropriated by City Council and $44,880 of
<br />program income that is included in the appropriation ordinance for FY15. The City also
<br />expects to have a total of $684,706.25 in HOME funds available, including a HOME
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