NORFOLK, VA – The City of Norfolk’s online, interactive budget workshop,
Balancing Act, has been updated to allow residents to weigh in on the Fiscal Year 2019 Proposed Budget now before City Council.
City Manager Douglas L. Smith proposed a budget that includes a 10-cent real estate tax increase. The additional revenue – $18.5 million – would be used to:
- Support additional funding for Norfolk Public Schools;
- Implement the St. Paul’s plan to redevelop three public housing areas;
- Restore funding to the Norfolk Police Department;
- Fund solutions to flooding;
- Address the backlog of aging city vehicles and equipment; and
- Provide a salary increase for city employees.
City departments eliminated 82 positions and reduced about $8 million in expenses to help balance the budget.
Resident feedback collected through Balancing Act was helpful in developing the proposed budget.
“More than 1,000 people visited Balancing Act, and we received 156 submitted budgets,” said city Budget Director Greg Patrick. “Now we want more feedback – what’s in this FY 2019 Proposed Budget that you agree with? What would you change?”
Balancing Act allows you to view and interact with the proposed budget. You can increase or decrease spending, share your own version of a proposed budget, and leave comments. Best of all, you can use
Balancing Act anytime, from anywhere.
Want to know how the city spends your tax dollars?
Taxpayer Receipt provides an unofficial, itemized receipt.
If you want to share your thoughts in person, plan to attend the city’s budget public hearing.
Wednesday, April 18, 6 p.m.
Granby High School
7101 Granby Street
Click here for a complete list of upcoming City Council meetings and budget discussions, or head to Norfolk.gov and look for the link under City Spotlight.
Online or in person -- We want to hear from you!