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Virginia Beach OKs $1.9 billion operating budget
City employees and teachers will receive 3.3 percent raises in the next fiscal year's budget approved by the City Council on Tuesday night.
The council voted 10-1 to give a thumbs-up to a $1.9 billion operating budget. Councilman John Moss was the lone dissenter.
The budget is 2 percent larger than last year. The city has said the increase is a result of money set aside for new jobs – 127 for school employees, 50 new positions at the $32.2 million Kempsville Recreation Center opening in 2017, 25 for police officers and deputies, nine to run the police body camera program and five for a proposed light-rail extension.
Schools will receive about $870 million, approximately 45 percent of the overall budget. Public safety received $231 million and Public Works and Utilities received $262 million.
Residents will see their trash bills increase by $1.64 per month. The city said it needed the extra revenue to replace aging trucks and meet pension liabilities.
The parks department will raise user fees for several services, including afternoon and summer programs and camps for children. Library room rental fees will also increase.
No increases will be made to the real estate tax rate, personal property tax rate or fees for water, wastewater or stormwater.
"It is the city's first budget since the recession that shows revenue growth without a major tax rate increase," the city said in a news release Tuesday.
Dianna Howard, a Virginia Beach resident, was the only resident who spoke at Tuesday's council meeting to oppose the budget. She said families feel pinched.
"It seems that every year we get our taxes and fees raised a little bit," Howard said.
Councilwoman Shannon Kane said she hears from many residents who struggle to pay for utilities like water. She said she asked city staff to put together a committee to find ways to help people who are struggling to pay their bills.
"We need to help those citizens find some relief with the city services bill." she said.
Councilman John Moss said he thinks the council could have done more to reduce the real estate tax to help families who have experienced stagnant wages.
The council also approved its six-year, $3 billion Capital Improvements Program for construction projects. Some of the 210 construction projects include expanding light rail, replacing the Les-ner Bridge, building a new Kempsville Recreation Center, replacing Princess Anne Middle School and Princess Anne High School, building 75 new bus shelters, and expanding bus services, bikeways and trails.