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March 29, 2016 <br /> <br />“The New Portsmouth” – we are initiating a continuum of the neighborhood partnering <br />and service delivery designed for all city departments to be engaged in improving <br />neighborhood quality, advancement, and sustainability. Our Citizen Advocacy Services <br />through our Ombudswoman daily engages with citizens, outside agencies, and all <br />departments as it relates to neighborhood quality. <br /> <br />Commitment to Education <br />The future growth of the New Portsmouth is dependent on continuing to build a strong <br />education system. As the level of education rises in a community, so does the economic <br />viability and quality of life. Therefore, we are proposing: <br /> <br /> <br /> $1 million increase for local share – Portsmouth Public Schools <br /> <br /> $4.6 million for the top ten (10) CIP projects to include funding for design and <br />roof replacement for several school facilities, replacement of bleachers, and school <br /> <br />buses. <br /> <br />Partnering and Collaboration with Portsmouth Public Schools <br />The city and Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS) are committed to collaborative <br />partnership to create cost efficiency, savings, and combining service delivery. Some <br />examples of this collaborative approach are below: <br />1) Portsmouth Community Television (PCTV) and Portsmouth Schools Educational <br />Television (PSET) – sharing of program broadcasting, community public service <br />announcements, event information, and production services. <br />2) PPS and PRLS are sharing transportation resources to transport evening meals <br />for school-aged youth through the Mobile Kids Meals Program. <br />3) Office Supplies (State/Federal Contracts) – continuing to explore opportunities to <br />use contracts for optimal purchasing power. <br />4) Financing Options – use of low or no finance cost opportunities for school <br /> <br />infrastructure projects. <br /> <br />Public Safety <br />Today, public safety is a top priority. No matter where we are or what we may be doing, <br />the thought of safety and feeling secure daunts our minds. Portsmouth citizens possess <br />the same perspective of public safety’s importance, for it is also at the top of our <br />citizen’s agenda. The city’s commitment in the New Portsmouth is to recognize that <br />public safety is not something just randomly provided to the community by government, <br />but rather public safety is a continuous engagement of people forming a community- <br />based partnership built upon trust and legitimacy in an effort to ensure a safe and <br />livable community. <br />In support of public safety, here are some examples of our commitment: <br /> <br /> As current vacancies are filled, allotted positions will be examined for funding <br /> <br />based on service needs. <br /> <br /> <br /> Emphasis on filling vacant positions through an expeditious hiring process. <br /> <br /> The entry level examination for public safety will be administered on a frequent <br /> <br />basis. <br /> <br /> <br /> Examples of various priority equipment needs are: <br /> <br /> Support for the Body Worn Camera Program to include video storage <br />o <br /> <br /> Maintenance support (Eagle Eye Surveillance System) <br />o <br /> <br /> Final payment for SWAT Recon Robot <br />o <br /> <br /> Replacement of vehicles <br />o <br /> <br /> Purchase of two new ambulances <br />o <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />