Proposed Chesapeake budget could include real estate tax hike
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Chesapeake City Council went over the city's proposed budget for FY 2026 and the proposed Capital Improvement Program for FY 2026-2030 on Tuesday.
Norfolk prioritizes employee recruitment, tourism in $2B proposed budget
VB budget proposal includes revived boat tax, meals tax and stormwater rate increase
City Manager Chris Price and Budget Director Jonathan Hobbs both presented the proposed budget to the council, and it is now up to them to consider a .2 cent increase for the current real estate tax.
Officials said the increase would help to pay for improved public safety. The proposed budget comes out to $1.6 billion.
During Tuesday's presentation, the council discussed the desired outcomes of the proposed budget, including economic prosperity, connectivity, cultural diversity, environmental responsibility and safety and security. A breakdown of the desired outcomes can be found below:
Encouraging redevelopment through $3.7 million to fully fund to South Norfolk Municipal Building
Community and neighborhood revitalization — Indian River Strategic Acquisition of Property, Deep Creek Strategic Acquisition of Property and Western Branch Strategic Acquisition of property
Incentivizing new and existing businesses with a Site Readiness and Economic Development Investment Program
Enhanced signage and landscaping at entrances to the city
Sidewalk and pedestrian improvements, such as a Bruin Drie and Gilmerton sidewalk connection
Improving the customer experience
Business development
Hosting Sail 2026 Virginia at Battlefield Park to celebrate America's 250th anniversary
Enhancing historical resources, such as the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways Museum
Preservation of agriculture and open space
Environmentla preservation
Enhanced mowing requencies for medians
Closing gap on minimum staffing with 12 new firefighter positions
Expanding storage capacity for evicence
Moving Public Safety System to the Cloud
Improving survival rates for cardiac arrest
Improving emergency response times
Providing a safer work environment
Improving outcomes/enhancing customer service
Using data to improve decision making
According to the recently released Old Dominion University Quality of Life Survey, Chesapeake consistently ranks as the highest citizen satisfaction in the region, while also having the lowest tax and fee burden, officials said.
ODU survey shows declining quality of life and economic outlook in Hampton Roads
While the .2 cent increase for the real estate tax was proposed, Price stated one of the guiding principles of the budget would have no increase on the real estate tax rate and was only discussed while addressing the council's strategic priorities.
Price is instead proposing the revenue should come from the elimation of planned projects — including the South Central Water and Sewer Transmission and the George Washington Highway widening project — and increasing the hotel tax by $1 a night.
Based on the Chesapeake Public School's Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton's proposed budget, a 3% compensation increase for teachers and a pay increase to $56,012 for starting teacher pay was proposed. An increase in staffing was also proposed in order to meet the Standards of Quality requirements, academic programming and operations.
The public has two opportunities to provide input on the proposed budget, one on April 8 during a public hearing for real estate assessments, and one on April 22 during a public hearing for the tax levy, operating budget and capital budget.
The finalized budget will be considered for adoption on May 13.
For more information on the proposed budget, click here.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
More public parking may be coming to Virginia Beach Oceanfront
VIRGINIA BEACH — The city is poised to partner with a hotel developer on a new parking garage in the resort area's northern end as the need for public parking at the Oceanfront continues to grow. City Council first considered the project in 2021, but the rising cost of construction at that time put the plans on hold. Now, it's back for consideration and the terms of the deal have changed, according to Kathy Warren, director of planning and community development. Suburban Capital, a Virginia-Beach-based company that recently developed the Hyatt Place hotel on 36th Street and Atlantic Avenue, would give land to the city to build the garage, Warren told the council on Tuesday. The .66-acre lot on the west side of Atlantic Avenue at 35th Street is a surface parking lot currently used by Hyatt Place hotel guests. The city assessment of the land is $3.5 million. Under the 2021 proposal, Suburban Capital would have continued to own the land and some of the parking spaces, and the Virginia Beach Development Authority would own 200 public spaces. Under the new proposed deal, the Development Authority would own and manage the garage, which would have 348 spaces — 148 spaces for hotel guests and 200 spaces for the public. New exhibit examines coal dust pollution in Newport News Newport News City Council gives the go ahead to Costco relocation Norfolk commonwealth's attorney race one of most expensive, divisive in city's history Virginia Beach cleared 100 homeless encampments in the last year Longtime Chesapeake deputy city manager retires, former police chief hired The entire project is expected to cost about $12 million. Suburban Capital would pay $590,000 and obtain a loan to build the garage. The city could also be on the hook for the interest on Suburban Capital's loan and the cost to relocate Dominion Energy power lines — an amount to be determined, Warren said. Council members Worth Remick and Stacy Cummings said they want to avoid paying interest on the loan and would rather the city make payments while the garage is being constructed. City Council could vote next month to increase the original $7 million set aside for the project to $12.35 million. The garage construction could begin this fall and be completed by next summer, Warren said. The city's Capital Improvement Program fund for resort area parking has a $26 million balance, according to the city. There are no public parking lots or garages north of 31st Street. The city has 358 spaces in surface lots; five garages with 2,613 spaces; and 644 metered street spaces south of 31st Street. 'Our goal is to have public parking every five blocks,' Warren said. In 2021, the city approached Suburban Capital about partnering in the parking garage on their parcel, and the City Council directed $7 million toward it for 200 public spaces. But construction prices were escalating, and the project was put on hold. Hyatt Place opened in 2022 and replaced the Belvedere hotel, one of the city's original motor lodges. Suburban Capital, owned by Chris Perry and Tim Stiffler, invested $28 million in Hyatt Place, The Virginian-Pilot has reported. Proceeds from public parking fees are funneled into a parking enterprise fund which is used to cover the costs of maintaining and improving parking facilities. 'This is almost an obligation,' Mayor Bobby Dyer said. 'Parking is a major problem for us. This is a step in the solution.' Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125,
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Senedd members tackle ‘existential crisis' for democracy
Senedd members called for urgent action to tackle the "existential crisis" of abuse, harassment and intimidation faced by politicians on social media. Plaid Cymru's Adam Price, the first out-gay man in his party to be elected to national office, warned prejudices based on sex, race and sexual orientation have been reinvigorated. He told the Senedd: "It is getting worse by the day, and it really represents an existential crisis for our democracy and our society." Mr Price said: "For our democracy to be effective, it has to be diverse. "Diversity trumps ability. "It's a piece of evidence in social science." The former Plaid Cymru leader called for a focus on representation of trans women and men, a community "under siege," to ensure their voices are heard in the Senedd. Mr Price highlighted harmful comments below news stories involving him in recent weeks. "That certainly won't deter me and I hope it won't deter anyone else," he said. "But we've got to do something about it collectively, haven't we?" Labour's Hannah Blythyn expressed concerns that Wales could go backwards in terms of equality of representation at the next Senedd election. Ms Blythyn told Senedd members: "I very much made an active decision when I had the opportunity to stand in this legislature because of the make-up – that there were more women here, that it was more representative." Jane Hutt, Wales' social justice secretary, acknowledged the rise of abuse, harassment and intimidation towards politicians, candidates and campaigners. She outlined voluntary diversity and inclusion guidance for political parties which aims to ensure democratic bodies are truly representative of all the people of Wales. Ms Hutt said safety costs will be exempt from spending limits for Welsh elections. Conservative Altaf Hussain warned guidance on equal representation risks crossing a dangerous line. He said: "Equality of access cannot come just by bureaucratic diktats or targets." Plaid Cymru's Sioned Williams said progress on underrepresentation of women in politics has slowed, warning the voluntary guidance was published "far too late." "Wales belongs to everyone," she said. "Everyone must have a voice in our nation's future."
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Elizabeth River Trail designated as a National Recreation Trail; first in Hampton Roads
NOTE: The above video is from previous coverage on the Elizabeth River Trail. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Elizabeth River Trail (ERT) Foundation announced they have received the designation as a National Recreation Trail on Monday. Study: Elizabeth River Trail boosts Norfolk's economy by over $18M According to a release, the designation is given out by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Monday's announcement makes the ERT just one of over 1,300 National Recreation Trails across the United States, and the only one in entire Hampton Roads region. 'This designation is a big win for our region, securing the Elizabeth River Trail as a national destination,' executive director of the ERT Foundation Kindra Greene said. 'This recognition goes a long way in ensuring the longevity of our urban trail for the future.' The release states the designation will allow for the ERT to have opportunities for regional collaboration, increased tourism and long-term preservation. In addition, the increased national visibility has the potential to increase local economic activity within Norfolk. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
