Portsmouth City Council will meet Monday evening with a full agenda that includes infrastructure decisions, wage adjustments for city employees, and the creation of a new economic‑development entity.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Portsmouth City Hall. No public hearings are scheduled, but residents who registered with the City Clerk may speak on agenda items at the start of the session.
Alley Vacation on 6th Street
Council will hold a second reading on a proposal to permanently close an alley between 713 and 717 6th Street. The closure was requested by a nearby property owner. The city would retain all utility easements if the measure is approved.
Funding for New Police Dispatch Office
Also up for a second reading is an ordinance to appropriate $62,000 from a federal and state COPS grant. The money would be used to purchase furniture and equipment for the city’s new dispatch office.
Wage Increases and Salary Ordinance Updates
Council will consider the first reading of a measure updating the city’s Salary Ordinance. The changes include:
- A wage increase for the Dispatcher Union (Local #92), retroactive to January 1, 2026
- Updated pay classifications for numerous Municipal Court positions, including bailiffs, clerks, probation officers, counselors, and case managers The ordinance would repeal the city’s 2025 salary ordinance.
Creation of the Portsmouth Community Improvement Corporation
Another first‑reading item would establish the Portsmouth Community Improvement Corporation (PCIC). The PCIC would serve as the city’s official economic‑development agency under Ohio law, with council appointing its board members and authorizing an operating agreement.
New EPA Water Grant Fund
Council will also consider creating Fund 245, a dedicated account for receiving and spending U.S. EPA water‑related grant funds.
Emergency Funding for Civil Service Testing
The final legislative item is a request to appropriate $3,000 for civil service testing. The administration is asking council to waive the standard three‑reading rule and pass the measure as an emergency to avoid delays in scheduling required tests.
Public Comment and Reports
Residents may also speak on non‑agenda items later in the meeting. Council will then hear routine reports from the Clerk, City Manager, Mayor, Solicitor, Auditor, and council members before adjourning.
