How residents can weigh in on city budgets throughout Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads cities are finalizing their budgets for fiscal year 2024 and are hosting meetings for public comment. Here’s how you can weigh in on spending priorities in your community:
Chesapeake
When: 6:30 p.m. April 25, and 6:30 p.m. May 9
Where: City Hall, 1st floor, 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake
The City Council has already held a public hearing for the proposed real estate tax rate, but residents can weigh in on proposed taxes, fees, recycling services and the rest of the budget at public hearings during council meetings in April and May.
Speakers can sign up the night of the meeting by calling the city clerk’s office at 757-382-6151. The meetings will be streamed live at cityofchesapeake.net/LiveFeed, Cox Channel 48 and Verizon Channel 43.
The council is expected to adopt the budget May 9.
Hampton
When: 6:30 p.m. April 26 and 6:30 p.m. May 3
Where: City Hall, 22
Lincoln St., Hampton
Each year, Hampton solicits citizen input on the budget through the “I Value” campaign. The city held several meetings in March, but there’s still a chance to comment at two upcoming events.
The city manager will present the proposed budget at the next April council meeting. There will also be a public hearing May 3.
The city is expected to adopt the budget at the May 10 council meeting.
Newport News
The city held a public comment session on the proposed budget last week. But residents can still share comments by emailing council@nnva.gov or mailing comments to City Council, 2400 Washington Ave., Newport News, VA 23607.
Norfolk
When: 6:00 p.m. April 19 Where: Granby High School, 7101 Granby St., Norfolk
The city is hosting a budget hearing for residents to voice feedback. This meeting will purely be for public comment. The budget was presented to the council on March 28 and council is expected to adopt the budget May 23.
Residents can register to speak by contacting the clerk’s office by phone at 757-664-4253 or email at allan.bull@norfolk.gov. There will also be on-site registration starting an hour before the hearing.
Portsmouth
When: 7 p.m. April 25 Where: City Hall, 6th floor, 801 Crawford St., Portsmouth
Public hearings in Portsmouth began last week, but residents can still comment on the budget at the April 25 council meeting.
Speakers can sign up by emailing the city clerk at whited@portsmouth.gov, by phone at 757-393-8639 or in person on the day of the meeting until 6:30 p.m.
Residents can watch the meeting online at portsmouthva.gov/portsmouth-live or youtube.com/ vaportsmouth, or on Cox Channel 48 or Verizon Fios Channel 39.
The council is expected to adopt the budget May 9.
Suffolk
When: 6 p.m. April 19 Where: City Council Chamber, 1st floor, 442 W Washington St., Suffolk
Residents can comment on the budget at a public hearing during the next City
Council meeting.
Virginia Beach
When: 6 p.m. April 19 Where: Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St., Virginia Beach and
When: 6 p.m. April 25 Where: City Hall, Municipal Building 1, 2401 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach
The Virginia Beach City Council is considering reducing the 99 cent real estate tax rate by 1 to 4 cents. This $669.7 million revenue source is shared with the public schools. Every penny of the current tax rate generates $7.4 million.
A new online tool is available for residents to consider the implications of the rate reduction. It allows users to select which services to eliminate in order to balance the proposed budget. To view the budget, visit virginiabeach.gov/ budget.
Residents wishing to make comments during the hearings must register with the city clerk’s office by calling 757-385-4303 prior to 5 p.m. on the day of the hearing.
The council is expected to adopt the budget May 9.
Cianna Morales, 757-957-1304, cianna.morales @virginiamedia.com