Most new laws in Portsmouth have to go through three readings before City Council can vote on them. That process is designed to give council members and the public time to review legislation before it becomes law.
But at the next Portsmouth City Council meeting on Monday, March 9 at 6 p.m., council members are being asked to treat three ordinances as “emergencies.”
When something is passed as an emergency, it can be approved after just one reading, allowing it to take effect immediately.
Here’s a breakdown—in plain language—of the three items council will consider.
Accepting $4,550 for Firefighter Training
The first ordinance allows the city to accept $4,550 from the Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal.
The money comes from a training reimbursement grant, which means the fire department has already spent the money on training and the state is now paying the city back.
If council approves the ordinance, the funds will simply be placed back into the fire department’s training budget.
City officials say this can be treated as an emergency because it’s reimbursement money the city is already owed, and approving it quickly helps keep the department’s finances in order.
$21,000 for Snow Removal Equipment
The second ordinance would move $21,000 from the city’s street fund to purchase equipment used for clearing snow.
The plan includes:
- Salt boxes that can be mounted in pickup trucks so crews can reach tighter streets and smaller areas
• A used salt truck being sold by Nile Township for $5,000
City leaders say the purchase comes after recent winter storms and complaints from residents about snow removal.
Officials believe adding smaller equipment will allow crews to treat side streets and hard-to-reach areas more quickly during snow events.
Because the city has already started arranging the purchase—pending council approval—they are asking council to waive the normal three readings so the equipment can be secured right away.
Distributing $85,000 to Community Organizations
The third ordinance involves $85,000 set aside for local community projects.
The funding is distributed based on recommendations from the city’s Cultural Affairs Panel, which reviews applications from local groups and recommends how the money should be divided.
The proposed distribution includes:
- Southern Ohio Museum — $5,000
• Watch Me Grow — $3,000
• Friends of Portsmouth — $40,000
• The Kitchen Collective — $4,000
• Hilltop Initiative Neighborhood Association — $33,000
City officials say the funding distribution was delayed earlier this year while guidelines were being clarified, and passing the ordinance as an emergency would allow the organizations to receive their funding sooner.
Why These Are Being Called “Emergencies”
Under the city charter, council can waive the three-reading rule if legislation is declared an emergency measure.
In this case, the reasons given include:
- Accepting reimbursement money already owed to the fire department
• Quickly securing equipment to improve snow removal
• Releasing delayed funding to community organizations
Council will consider all three items during the Monday, March 9 meeting at 6 p.m.