Portsmouth City Manager John Bohenko Announces Retirement

After 22 years with the City of Portsmouth, City Manager John Bohenko has announced his retirement effective January 3, 2020.

John has led an accomplished tenure in Portsmouth, where his fiscal policies and financial acumen resulted in stable and predictable budgeting, as well as five successive increases in the City's bond rating to ultimately result in a AAA bond rating. Portsmouth also maintains the lowest equalized tax rate of all thirteen New Hampshire cities.

John’s leadership has enabled the City to invest in important infrastructure improvements that have been crucial to the longevity of Portsmouth’s health and culture; this includes the reconstruction of the Peirce Island Wastewater Treatment Facility, renovation of all school facilities and new construction of the Foundry Place Garage, Public Library, Fire Station 2 and more.

According to Mayor Jack Blalock, the initiatives that the City Manager spearheaded have been instrumental in renewing Portsmouth’s identity as an epicenter of tourism, history, economy and culture. “When John first arrived here in 1997, this City had varied struggles that included economic hardships and an aging water and sewer infrastructure, to name a few. His decisions and confident administration has not only resulted in a strong infrastructure, but a longstanding vitality for our community. We take many of today’s amenities that John has brought to life for granted. We’re fortunate to be a bicycle friendly community, witness preserved historical sites such as the African Burying Ground, have detailed Master Plans that help us grow responsibly, and so much more. I’m honored to have worked with John on many initiatives and will miss his guidance greatly.”

John concludes his professional career after spending 42 years in local government and holding leadership positions with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the Pease Development Authority.

“I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with the Mayor and current and past Councilors,” said Bohenko. “I have also had the privilege to work with a very talented staff whose dedicated expertise has been so important in implementing often challenging projects; our citizens are very lucky to have them at their service. I look forward to this next chapter and will continue to be engaged in the Portsmouth community.”