How Portsmouth plans to spend $23 million in pandemic stimulus money: Athletic field upgrades, bonuses and more
The City Council voted Tuesday to use $23 million in federal dollars for recreational field upgrades, bonuses for the sheriff’s office and several capital projects.
The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted last year to help state and local governments recover from the pandemic. Portsmouth received about $56.8 million in total, with the second half arriving earlier this year.
Council members discussed how to spend the money during a work session last week, with a formal vote taking place Tuesday.
The council earmarked $1.3 million for the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Department for staff retention bonuses, which will provide each deputy with a one-time payment of $6,500. During the work session, then-Chief Financial Officer Mimi Terry said those bonuses were requested but not granted during the 2022-23 budget discussion.
About $5.2 million will be used for facility improvements at the Charles Peete Little League field, I.C. Norcom High School athletic fields, the Cavalier Manor Recreation Center and the Churchland soccer complex.
About $8.3 million will help with drainage improvements at Ebony Heights, neighborhood revitalization and drainage improvements at Prentis Place, water tank rehabilitation at Churchland and Victory boulevards, improved security fencing at a city facility on Frederick Boulevard, streetlight upgrades throughout the city and upgrades to the Portsmouth police headquarters.
The council granted $125,000 for crime reduction software. Interim Police Chief Stephen Jenkins told council members the department has ordered a subscription to Fusus, a system that will integrate the city’s 400 cameras and allow officers to use a live feed to more accurately respond to crime.
Jenkins said the encrypted camera system can be a “force multiplier” as the department struggles with vacancies. Officers also can use it to monitor activities during city events and better detect license plate information. He expects the system will be functional within the next 60 days.
Jenkins said officers will be able to monitor the cameras in real time, and use it send alerts when needed. The department has been encouraging residents to consider linking their home cameras to the system.
Jenkins also said the department is looking into purchasing more cameras for locations such as Rivers Casino Portsmouth, within city parking garages and along High Street. The city has allocated $1.2 million for those efforts.
About $100,000 was also earmarked to provide doorbell cameras to senior adults.
The city will allocate $500,000 to community organizations working to address gun violence. City Manager Tonya Chapman said Tuesday that a meeting is being scheduled for those groups to present their plans for helping to reduce crime. The city will then determine which are funded using an advertised application process.
Terry said at the work session that, unlike the city, Portsmouth Public Schools doesn’t receive ARPA funding upfront, so $1 million has been granted to the school system so it can begin work on HVAC system upgrades.
In addition to $23 million in ARPA funding, the projects will also be funded with an additional $5 million surplus from the school district, general fund money and a $4 million utility bond.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
