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<br />March 27, 2017
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<br />At a Called Meeting of the City Council on Monday, March 27, 2017, there were
<br />present:
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<br />Mayor John L. Rowe, Jr., Vice Mayor Paige D. Cherry, William E. Moody, Jr., Elizabeth
<br />M. Psimas, Dr. Mark M. Whitaker, Nathan J. Clark, Lisa L. Lucas-Burke, City Manager
<br />Dr. L. Pettis Patton, City Attorney Solomon H. Ashby, Jr.
<br />
<br />17 - 135 - The following call for the meeting was read:
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<br /> "Please attend a Called Meeting of the City Council to be in the City Council
<br />Chamber, 801 Crawford Street, 6:00 p.m., Monday, March 27, 2017 for the purpose of
<br />the presentation of the proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Plan Budgets.
<br />
<br /> In addition, you may consider a motion to go into a Closed Meeting.
<br />
<br />By order of the Mayor."
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<br />17 - 136 - The following item was discussed in Public Work Session:
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<br />1. Presentation of Proposed Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan by Dr. L.
<br />Pettis Patton, City Manager
<br />
<br />Opening Statement:
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<br />The Honorable Mayor John L. Rowe, Jr., Vice Mayor Paige D. Cherry, Members of City
<br />Council, and Citizens of Portsmouth:
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<br />In accordance with the General Finance Officer Association (GFOA), “The budget is a
<br />guide that determines the direction of Government. It is arguably the single most
<br />important document routinely prepared by governments.”
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<br />One hundred years ago in 1918, in the city of Portsmouth, City Manager W. B. Bates,
<br />stated that “the Council has shown a ready and willing desire to make Portsmouth what
<br />it should be, as far as the finances of the City will permit.”
<br />
<br />I believe our new City Council is committed to this same desire to move Portsmouth
<br />forward toward growth and prosperity with its vision statement and guiding principles,
<br />thereby, forging the development of a “leadership compact” and identifying their “Four Big
<br />Things” or priorities.
<br />
<br />Blueprints for Success
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<br />During City Council’s Retreat on February 3 - 4, 2017, City Council developed a vision
<br />statement serving as a promise and roadmap to the citizens of Portsmouth it defines the
<br />direction for growth, and the path we should take, with a clear vision towards the future.
<br />The new vision statement builds a more prosperous city, fosters lifelong learning, and
<br />values a safe and friendly city.
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<br />The Guiding Principles also serve as a Compact for Leadership which are precepts that
<br />guide and lead the entire organization. The Compact for Leadership are the values,
<br />ethics, and moral principles that govern the professional demeanor and behavior of city
<br />government.
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<br />As the budget team embarked upon the FY 2018 Proposed Budget process, we remained
<br />steadfast on the guiding principles outlined in my Oath of Office Speech on August 28,
<br />2015:
<br />
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<br /> To create a bright and prosperous future redefined by collaboration, unification and
<br />rededication through citizen and community engagement.
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<br /> The New Portsmouth where city employees work tirelessly to make the best
<br />decisions necessary to achieve our city’s vision and move in a forward direction
<br />characterized by methodical deliberation and expediency.
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<br /> The New Portsmouth where employees are courageous decision makers with
<br />financial acuity, to ensure cost effectiveness, government efficiency, and
<br />protection over the city’s financial resources.
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