City Charter - Section 47

What The "Income Tax Increase" Is Really For!

Section 47a and 47b

In Section 47a {Annual Tax Levy}, which assessed on the property values of your homes and Section 47b {Tax Levy For Bonds And Notes}, which is to pay interest, sinking fund, and retirement charges on all bonds and notes of the City of Portsmouth.  Both, of these sections in the Charter were created on 5-5-1953.

Section 47c {Income Tax Authorization}

In addition to Sections 47a and 47b, city council enacted an ordinance of levying an income tax to provide funds for the general municipal operations, city employee compensation, street lighting and capital improvements.

The net proceeds of the income tax will be set aside and used for the following:

• 30%                                     City Employee Compensation
• 30%                                      General Municipal Operation
• 30%                                      Capital Improvements
• 10%                                      Street Lighting

This section was adopted on 5-5-1970.

Section 47d {Supplemental Income Tax Authorization}

In addition to Sections 47a,b,c, city council enacted an ordinance levying an income tax to provide funds for the general municipal operations, city employee compensation, and capital improvements

The net proceeds of the income tax will be set aside and used for the following:

• 40%                                      City Employee Compensation
• 30%                                      General Municipal Operation
• 30%                                      Capital Improvements

This section was amended on 6-8-1976.

Section 47e {Supplemental Income Tax Authorization For Safety Forces}

In addition to Sections 47a,b,c,d, city council enacted an ordinance levying an income tax to provide funds for compensating employees of the police and fire forces of the City of Portsmouth and for no other purpose whatsoever.

The net proceeds from the income tax will be set aside and used for the following:

• 100%                                       Police and Fire Forces

This section was adopted on 11-3-1987

So, to some things up.  City employees receive 70% of the income generated from Sections 47c and 47d combined.  This includes the police and fire departments.  Thirty percent from 47c and forty percent from 47d.

Now, comes along Section 47e.  The police and fire forces, and I'm sure union reps too.  Have a Supplemental Income Tax placed on the books for just them, and them only.  Notice, in two sections of this ordinance; the wording!  "Providing funds for compensating employees of the police and fire forces." 

Not any of the funds are used to provide training, building, equipement or vehicle maintenance, electric, gas or water bills.  Just for compensating employees of the police and fire forces.

One other phrase, that I would like to draw to your attention!  "For no other purpose whatsoever."  Wow!  Talk about not playing well with others and being rapacious and predatory in their behavior!  Just a little greedy maybe?  That certainly smells of union representation!  These people are so vulgar in their methods... They lack compassion for any of the other departments; not to mention the citizens!

I want to now, draw your attention to the adoption date of Section 47e.  November 3, 1987!  That date is also, the date when Sections 87 and Section 89 were amended also!  Raising the police and fire departments staffing levels to 44 each.  So, they not only got money set aside for them and only them; they got to hire more employees for each of their departments!

Folks, I'm not against an income tax increase if it is merited and city government is responsible and good stewards of the money.  None, of these three things are even existent within our city government and some city employees!

The need for more money may be a correct conclusion.  But, the reason for the need of the money is for egotistical, self-seving and self-centered purposes and reasons!  Not for the betterment of the city or it's citizens!

Vote NO On The Proposed Income Tax Increase

As, you can see from above; the track record speaks for itself.  Where the money goes!  Make the City Employees pay their fair share of their own benefit packages.  Stop paying for firemen and their families to go to the Life Center.  All on the taxpayers dime!

One other thing, Trent Williams; do the inventory on the city's equipment and assets!  You have only been told by the State Auditor's office to do this for the last 4 or 5 years!

Vote For Anybody But TRENT WILLIAMS For Auditor

Citizens of Portsmouth; remember is big pay raise that he got after being elected last time!  Which was illegal!  And, now drives a nice big SUV with a full tank of gas!

Tell me what a City Auditor needs with a city vehicle much less a SUV?

Don't worry Mr. Trent Williams, I've got a few things to say about your time in office too!