26-03-2025
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.
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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.
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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 for updates.
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