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<br />March 26, 2018
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<br />At a Called Meeting of the City Council on Monday, March 26, 2018, there were
<br />present:
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<br />Mayor John L. Rowe, Jr., Vice Mayor Elizabeth M. Psimas, William E. Moody, Jr., Ray
<br />A. Smith, Sr., *Dr. Mark M. Whitaker, Nathan J. Clark, Lisa L. Lucas-Burke, City
<br />Manager Dr. L. Pettis Patton, City Attorney Solomon H. Ashby, Jr.
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<br />18 - 119 - 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, 4:00 p.m., Monday, March 26, 2018 for the purpose of
<br />the presentation of the proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Plan Budgets.
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<br /> In addition, you may consider a motion to go into a Closed Meeting.
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<br />By order of the Mayor."
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<br />18 - 120 - 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
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<br />Opening Statement:
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<br />The Honorable Mayor John L. Rowe, Jr., Vice Mayor Elizabeth M. Psimas, Members of
<br />City Council, and Citizens of Portsmouth, Virginia:
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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 1919, in the city of Portsmouth, City Manager W. B. Bates,
<br />stated “in making my report for the betterments and improvements, I am not unmindful of
<br />the existing conditions in the City’s finances. We are not living for the present alone, but
<br />are taking into consideration future growth and needs of what is destined to be one of the
<br />important metropolis on our seacoast.”
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<br />The fiscal challenges we face today are daunting and will require sacrifices and
<br />prioritization of services to build the strong foundation needed for Portsmouth’s future.
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<br />We have taken the difficult but necessary steps to begin building a foundation for the
<br />future through financial transparency, accountability, and practical decisions to improve
<br />the city’s financial position as we look to the future.
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<br />Blueprints for Success
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<br />During City Council’s Retreat on February 2 - 3, 2018, City Council reaffirmed their
<br />vision statement that serves as a promise and roadmap to the citizens. It defines the
<br />direction for growth, the path we should take, with a vision towards the future. The
<br />reaffirmed vision statement builds a more prosperous city; fosters lifelong learning, and
<br />values a safe and friendly city.
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<br />In the development of the FY 2019 Proposed Budget process, we remained steadfast to
<br />the guiding principles outlined in my Oath of Office speech on August 28, 2015:
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<br /> To create a bright and prosperous future redefined by collaboration, unification,
<br />and 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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