As Portsmouth leaders prepare to place a renewal of the city’s street paving levy on the November ballot, one reader asked a simple question many taxpayers may be wondering:
Exactly where did the money go?
Records from the Scioto County Engineer’s Office show that from 2022 through 2025, Portsmouth spent $2,394,605.86 on street paving and related road work. That total includes a mix of state grant dollars and local tax levy money used to repair roads, pave streets, stripe lanes, adjust manholes, fix catch basins, and more.
The Big Picture: Grant Money vs. Local Money
Over the past four years:
- Grant Funding: $970,000
- City / Local Tax Funding: $1,424,605.86
- Grand Total: $2,394,605.86
That means roughly 40% of the paving money came from grants, while 60% came from local funds, including the street levy.
One Trend Stands Out: Grant Money Is Shrinking
Portsmouth received $252,000 in grant paving funds in 2022, but by 2025 that amount had dropped to $200,000.
Here’s the yearly breakdown:
| Year | Grant Money | Local Money | Total Spent |
| 2025 | $200,000 | $678,330.91 | $878,330.37 |
| 2024 | $200,000 | $414,769.19 | $614,769.19 |
| 2023 | $250,000 | $211,436.75 | $461,436.75 |
| 2022 | $252,000 | $187,069.55 | $439,069.55 |
Why That Matters
If outside grant money continues to decline, the city may have to rely more heavily on local dollars just to maintain current paving levels. That is likely to be a key talking point as council considers asking voters to renew the levy this fall.
Where Was the Money Spent?
Over the last four years, paving money was used on roads across Portsmouth, including:
2025 Projects
24th Street, Chariot Way, Chateau Drive, Court Street, Dorman Drive, Gallia Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Auburn Avenue, Brant Avenue, Court Street, Division Street, Endicott Avenue, Mayo Street, Potts Place, Stewart Street, Kiff Street, SR 140 Park & Ride, plus milling, striping, manhole adjustments, and water valve work.
2024 Projects
8th Street, Campbell Street, Forrest Drive, Indian Drive, Ruhlman Avenue, Seneca Drive, Sheridan Road, Stagecoach Lane, Taylor Street, Williams Street, Billman Avenue, Flint Ridge, City Garage roads, plus striping, catch basin adjustments, manholes, and water valve work.
2023 Projects
25th Street, Kenwood Street, Old Post Road, Sherman Road, Thomas Avenue, 18th Street, 20th Street, Blue Rock Drive, Coles Ridge, High Street, Kay-Lyn Drive, South Cedar Drive, City Garage Lot, plus milling, striping, catch basin, and valve work.
2022 Projects
Chillicothe Street, Kinneys Lane, 22nd Street, Baird Avenue, Buena Vista Lane, Charles Street, Johnson Street, Mary Ann Street, Union Street, Young Street, plus major intersection striping, catch basin work, hauling, and milling.
The Bottom Line
In four years, Portsmouth put nearly $2.4 million into roads. But as grant dollars shrink and paving costs rise, city leaders now appear ready to ask voters whether they want to continue the local levy that helps fund the work.
If you’d like to read the full breakdown of what streets were paved and how much it cost, click the link below.
2025 Scioto County Highway Improvements City of Portsmouth Invoice
