Title
Public Hearing to Receive Citizens' Comments Regarding the City Manager's Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2026
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The City Manager's Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (Manager's Recommended Budget) was made publicly presented during City Council's Work Session on April 9, 2025 and available to the public April 15, 2025.
Discussion:
Hampton City Charter Section 6.10 requires that a brief synopsis of the tentative operating and capital budgets shall be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the city, and notice given of one or more public hearings, at least ten (10) days prior to the date set for hearing, at which a citizen or property owner of the city shall have the right to attend and state his views thereon. Such hearing may be adjourned from time to time until completed.
A brief synopsis of the City Manager's Recommended Budget (operating and capital) was published in the Daily Press on April 13, 2025. Public hearings to give the City Council the opportunity to receive citizens' comments regarding the Manager's Recommended Budget will be held during City Council's legislative session on April 23, 2025 and at a special meeting of City Council on May 7, 2025. Public hearing notices were/will be duly advertised in the Daily Press on April 13, 2025 and April 27, 2025.
Additional work sessions may be held by City Council on May 7, 2025 and May 14, 2025 to consider comments received from citizens and additional information requested of staff. All budget ordinances will be introduced on May 7, 2025. Final approval of all budget ordinances will be on May 14, 2025.
Impact:
General Fund (City and Schools): $677,930,817
Capital Budget (Projects) Fund: $93,103,989
Enterprise Funds
Hampton Coliseum/Arts Commission/Hampton VA Aquaplex Fund: $22,488,129
Hampton Roads Convention Center Fund: $15,996,892
The Hamptons Golf Course Fund: $1,206,144
Woodlands Golf Course Fund: $1,082,204
Internal Service Funds
Fleet Services Fund: $10,362,704
Fleet Services - Equipment Replacement Fund: $6,242,005
Information Technology Fund: $4,120,419
Risk Management Fund (City and Schools): $12,037,608
Public Works Funds
Solid Waste Management Fund: $20,798,200
Steam Plant Fund: $8,638,165
Stormwater Management Fund: $17,058,030
Wastewater Management Fund: $28,917,000
Special Revenue Funds
Community Development Block Grant and HOME Fund: $1,543,232
Economic Development Fund: $2,821,412
Grant Fund: $48,767,277
The Public Rights-of-Way Fee is being increased. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), pursuant to Code of Virginia 56-468.1, is responsible for annually determining the monthly public rights-of-way fee per access line. VDOT has determined the rate shall be $2.19 per access line, per month for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The rate currently in effect for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 is $1.88 per line, per month.
The following tax and fee changes are also proposed for which comment(s) may be heard during the public hearings as follows that, if approved, will take effect July 1, 2025:
- Decreasing the Real Property tax rate from $1.15 per $100 of assessed value to $1.14 per $100 of assessed value.
- Increasing the Courtroom Security Fee from $10.00 per court case to $20.00 per court case.
- Increasing the Sewer User Fee from $2.38 per 100 cubic feet of water consumption to $2.45 per 100 cubic feet of water consumption.
- Increasing the Sewer Surcharge Fee from $2.12 per 100 cubic feet of water consumption to $4.79 per 100 cubic feet of water consumption.
- Increasing the Stormwater Fee- Commercial from $11.83 per 2,429 square feet of impervious area per month to $12.83 per 2,429 square feet of impervious area per month.
- Increasing the Stormwater Fee- Residential from $11.83 per month to $12.83 per month.
Recommendation:
Rec
No action. Public hearing only.