Office of Budget & Grants Management
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the City of Norfolk's
budget.
Where can I see copies of the
City's operating budget?
Copies of the budget can be viewed
on the budget office
website or at all City
libraries.
What is the City's budget?
The budget is one of the most important documents in the City. It guides
how the City will spend public funding and outlines the priorities of
the City. Costs for everyday services such as trash pickup, street
resurfacing, police and fire services, education, and recreation are
itemized in the budget.
Where can I get an overview of
the current budget?
The
City Manager's message provides a good overview of any changes that were
made in the most recent budget.
How is the City budget developed?
The City's finances operate on a
fiscal year rather than a calendar year. The City's fiscal year runs from July
1st through June 30th. The City's charter states that the City Manager must
present a budget to City Council at least 60 days (approximately May 1) before
the end of the fiscal year. The City Council must approve the budget no later
than 30 days before the end of the fiscal year.
The annual budget process commences
during late summer/early fall. The budget calendar is developed which
establishes the exact timelines for the process, including dates for submission
of departmental requests, budget work sessions and public hearings that lead to
final adoption of the budget. An estimated budget cycle is shown below.
How do I get involved in the
budget process?
During the budget development
process City Council holds public hearings regarding the budget. You may also
speak at any regular Council Session. To obtain a copy of the City Council
agenda go to the City Council's
webpage.
How does an
ordinance become a law?
The steps for an
ordinance to become a law can vary, depending on if it is an ordinance by
council or an ordinance by popular election. For an overview on how an ordinance
becomes a law click here.
Where does the money come from
and where does it go?
Information about revenues and
expenditures can be found in the
budget overview section of the budget book. You can also view the pie charts
below for a basic overview.
Where the money comes from...
Where the money goes...
What is the difference between
the Operating budget and Capital Improvement (CIP) Budget?
The Operating Budget funds day to
day operations of the City and ongoing or recurring expenses. The operating
budget is the primary tool by which most of the financing, acquisitions,
spending and service delivery activities of the City are planned and controlled.
The operating budget is mainly supported by tax revenue, state and federal
funding. The Capital Budget is used for expenditures on major projects including
new schools, building, roads, bridges and the renewal or replacement of existing
infrastructure. The capital budget is supported by cash from various funds and
issuing bonds.
What is the total amount of the
Approved Operating Budget?
The total amount of the approved FY
2011-2012 Operating Budget is
$964,920,800. If the City's capital
budget is included, the total
approved amount is $1,116,561,100.
How do I calculate my real
estate tax?
The amount of tax you pay is
determined by the tax rate applied
to the assessed value of your
property. The tax rate is set by City
Council at a current tax rate of
$1.11 per $100 of assessed value. To
determine the annual tax, divide
your real estate assessment by 100
and multiply the answer by your tax
rate. The result is your yearly tax
amount. If you have questions
regarding your property assessment
you should contact the
Office of the Real Estate Assessor
at (757) 664-4732.
If I have a question and need
help locating something in the
budget or finding out more
information, who should I call?
If you want more information about a
specific topic, feel free to contact
the
Office of Budget and Grants
Management at (757) 664-4283.