[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6610098,"mediaKeyId","2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba","parentId",2904603,"title","Council votes: sponsorships approved, closed session authorized and certified","audioSeconds",40,"startMs",2817000,"endMs",2857000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba&start=2817&end=2857","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba/thumbnail_2817000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610098/Virginia/Council-votes-sponsorships-approved-closed-session-authorized-and-certified","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610098-3e148ad6b232e4789c683674d2831541/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149956&Signature=jpIJqWujuLIRgexDSbroczRvtGai572k9dzmKpbiEeLtXDy7DHj12K7QGmYJ9l2c7huf4RoaIdNhy~8EOXmIQXw7s1DdLuCiNJo0GY-jj-uP10tE4WPzdN93nxB06r42ZKVNwq2lXaEWdgDJQR33B108gliLuT9ZZfL9kYWEiqcZespUqz9UZEj4dYTEdoilSH~QUaldrdm4sL54ctOX0cp~IJ8Su-p64CAw83jUMe4Sx5jH0wZz~oZYyoqCI4SsBUZpvRc2rQiGmLnaawfvvOYQ8bUAn7jn-s9u2bQ7IFTqEtDGkoMRkRmQSbkjIKzj6G9lMqLKGxFhJG3pnRVtVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport News","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Newport News City Council took several procedural and funding votes near the end of its April 8 work session. Council recorded unanimous roll-call approvals for small contingency sponsorships and for entering and certifying a closed meeting.

Council approved two sponsorship requests earlier in the meeting by unanimous roll call (6–0). The minutes and staff packet list the matters as:

- Approval of a council contingency item described in the packet (referred to as \"Crimson Thunder\" request dated 02/2013); vote: 6–0.
- Approval of a $10,000 title sponsorship for the Newport News Police Department Friends of the Badge breakfast (motion introduced by Councilman Coleman); vote: 6–0.

Council later voted to convene a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The motion, read on the record, invoked Section 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia and identified two topics: discussion of prospective candidates for appointment and personnel matters related to council appointees, and discussion of the potential disposition of publicly held real property in the northern section of the city where discussion would affect negotiating strategy. The motion to enter closed session passed by roll call, 6–0.

After the closed session, council made the required certification that, to the best of each member’s knowledge, only matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements were discussed and only the public-business matters identified in the motion were considered. That certification passed by roll call, 6–0.

Before adjourning, council approved a final council contingency sponsorship of $3,000 for the Books on Bikes program (sponsored by Councilman Harris); roll-call vote 6–0. The meeting adjourned after that motion carried.

No other ordinance readings or budget votes were taken during the April 8 work session; the session was primarily informational as part of the FY2026 budget work plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Newport News - City Council Work Session Meeting - Apr 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the April 8 work session Newport News City Council approved several council-contingency sponsorships and voted to enter a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; all recorded roll-call votes were unanimous 6–0.","taxTitle","Newport News (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",12491,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610100,"City assessor reports modest overall reassessment increase; appeals period set for mid-April",258,2074000,2332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba&start=2074&end=2332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba/thumbnail_2074000.jpg","/articles/6610100/Virginia/City-assessor-reports-modest-overall-reassessment-increase-appeals-period-set-for-mid-April","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610100-325ad6fe5a07fd4b0e9d2d803cd97e65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149956&Signature=SGPkh8s-M72OGq8jSaxoDnykmmb4FGrTj-~Zsl1BOTLMdgeO1d6iTC20kUWztC3tALjEBZnaB8ZDhVsBoUKqkcNwZDwXVLDIms0NGLZsPC1GMHqtOd3YQkjrDghlVbRvVGVa2CoSPnjKm6IxNvwyQ2~HRHyaQNJwXSZ6QW2-YPb3KL3NlqoaEAdzNK8asQP3XjvY-rCDvjsqF8zYn05N8kBr6qqwbYr-3gDCsj5hNEoHYlZwIGo8EwSYlmANRSMZmUVpZRWxxTwNzq40cO-ajIfztMff7tUoaPuEPqZD3cysturdLk3bHC4zBofGEkNFlOTRnZBFNCYTbK1Ql1vsAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Assessor John Fountain and appraisal supervisors briefed council on the FY2026 reassessment and the appeals process at the April 8 work session.

Fountain said reassessments are required by Virginia law and that the FY2026 proposed reassessment represents an overall increase of 3.76% in total assessed value. He said residential parcels represent about 59% of the valuation mix while commercial parcels account for approximately 41%.

Fountain said the office used the three standard approaches to value — cost, sales-comparison and income — and that the market study timeframe for valuation was January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. He announced informal office hearings for residents from April 14 to April 18 and said applications for formal hearings before the board of equalization are due September 1, 2025.

Residential supervisor Mark Beasley gave additional detail: the city has about 49,100 residential parcels, including roughly 44,114 single-family units, 4,659 condos and 327 small multifamily properties. Beasley said average increases were 4.84% for single-family units, 6.21% for condos and 6.08% for multifamily 2–4 unit properties. He reported the median assessed value rising from $259,100 (2025) to $272,300 (FY2026), a $13,200 increase.

Beasley said the largest neighborhood increase was in Jennifer Square (about 28.4%) and that the appraisal staff recorded 1,722 arm’s-length residential transactions during the market year. He said the city’s assessment ratio — the ratio of assessed value to sales — is approximately 99.63%, close to the statutory 100% of market value.

Commercial appraisal supervisor Mike Edwards summarized commercial trends: apartments increased about 2.5% and represent roughly 14.2% of the overall assessment base; industrial values rose about 4.5%; commercial office values were largely affected by vacancies and rent pressures.

Fountain described the informal appeals process: property owners may call or visit the assessor’s office, request an on-site inspection at no cost and review sales and appraisal statistics with staff; staff said many inquiries resolve after discussion and a small portion proceed to formal appeals.

No council action on the reassessment was taken at the session; the presentation was informational and set the schedule for appeals.","Newport News’ proposed FY2026 reassessment shows a 3.76% overall increase in total assessed value, with residential parcels accounting for roughly 59% of value; informal hearings are scheduled April 14–18 and board-of-equalization applications are due Sept. 1, 2025.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610105,"New city office outlines plan to coordinate community violence-intervention ecosystem",197,1167000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba&start=1167&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba/thumbnail_1167000.jpg","/articles/6610105/Virginia/New-city-office-outlines-plan-to-coordinate-community-violence-intervention-ecosystem","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610105-29f375a2ce1534e6a487453ba5c9b498/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149956&Signature=RyFssQZK-IPpUtgKXDdNaXkdnNkIbgQspVJdz3YcC1SN9UBB5faZeBsiq9uZ6X7BdGdT3SDCHlD4u7GT7KXPNjIXwuuQgl7Y8fBjYVHXnPlvi1ilsqaVlcDXzKcWO2EGeCZ5BsO3ycL1C~oxi5UxMEe~rwOMTyCEoCQwmUPRxopw5E2nw7HH-Yz9Vyl7l4bKk2o93V~L6rAjMN4F0fJmxSVAet7AS60rjsqk~ftDm50iPONYHGBiFYerv3K6tCrFWyyv65juvNMjaHmhw6739fxbyjervc59pTgY5avgV2cjEYINJ0UNOaMV~GjxCWeZu8tCKBjtHhcAgChb-jHlYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sunithia White, Community Violence Prevention Manager, told council on April 8 that her office is coordinating Newport News’ community violence-intervention (CVI) ecosystem to connect direct-service organizations, improve service referrals and measure outcomes.

“For those who are not aware of what the CVI ecosystem is, it's essentially connecting those who have the closest relationships to those who are or present the greatest risk of being impacted by violence,” White said. She described the office’s work mapping stakeholders, holding community conversations and identifying where the system can be strengthened and streamlined.

White said the city's approach emphasizes targeted prevention and intervention where individuals and groups are at highest risk, and building organizational capacity so providers can document both quantitative and qualitative outcomes. “At the end of the day, we want to say, Is anyone any better off?” she said.

She described near-term staffing plans that include hiring a services liaison to work directly with organizations to coordinate service delivery and a family services specialist to expand household-level interventions. White said she has held “probably over 35 or 40 meetings” with organizations and stakeholders since taking the role and that the office will use national best practices and external partners to develop metrics and evaluation standards.

Council members asked whether existing programs — including the city’s gun-violence intervention program, hospital-based violence-intervention efforts and mental-health services — will be integrated. White said those programs are part of the ecosystem and that the CVI office will work to streamline referrals and reduce redundancy so resources are used efficiently.

White said the office will pay particular attention to federal funding dependencies for intervention organizations and will monitor grant changes so the city can respond if partner capacity changes.

No council action was taken at the work session; White’s presentation was informational for FY2026 budget planning and program coordination.","The city's Community Violence Intervention manager described efforts to map service providers, standardize outcomes and build capacity for targeted prevention and family-based services; staff said they plan new liaison hires and data-driven evaluation to show impact.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610110,"Newpay scales and public-safety step increases take effect; city proposes conservative FY2026 wage approach",160,828000,988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba&start=828&end=988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba/thumbnail_828000.jpg","/articles/6610110/Virginia/Newpay-scales-and-public-safety-step-increases-take-effect-city-proposes-conservative-FY2026-wage-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610110-91cebf1c876a962ae04840742ebb0dbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149956&Signature=FpDXQSyUWsEFnzvH2u6Vvt-QSi0pQaDmcxe2v5gcSVGPE9qUCmDnRMmAWEwybM9SLKbkDOdL~75B41nZ3yozfz09zg5U1eb0Vg85VmoPir05eVE-5V-qR7qAjFj5AExnNVOMr-6--3IVUPjKIIv9plj6N1PgW6XGaPHgbpRFfWn0Fb1buhkmmWeaVGtXPlvmTAWZ5WEfcXqzdfOHYhNg8pT81jkgTgvYQuasU5GmI9vdhmU3Zc~Bggm7y4frtnbScong~dUEEFuLyxr-jue13cyquFtUrveU6U2aSfh11Ekg9G9x9Ou62YM8HBdi6AZg-6t7SUxj9TyTzpi1AYXwhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human Resources Director Allison DeChoso told the council on April 8 that the city implemented the public-safety step plan in November and has moved forward with a new broadband general pay plan for non-sworn employees.

“The public safety step plan has finally been implemented,” DeChoso said. She reported that more than 900 sworn employees received raises totaling $4,000,355, with an average increase of about 8.5% for impacted sworn officers.

Phase 2 of the compensation project, DeChoso said, moved roughly 2,000 non-sworn employees onto a broadband pay scale effective March 31. She said $2,055,000 in salary increases were implemented for non-sworn staff and that employees who had to be adjusted to new minimums received an average increase of 7.5%.

DeChoso described additional programs designed to address recruitment and retention, including a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) “breakthrough bonus” program and adjustments for the Commonwealth’s Attorney and Public Defender offices. She said the CDL initiative produced over 50 hires or referrals in its first year.

On the broader wage strategy, DeChoso said the city has delivered about 16% in adjustments over the last three years and that the FY2026 budget proposes a 3% general wage increase for eligible non-sworn employees. She cautioned council that uncertainties in federal funding and the economy require a conservative approach in future compensation decisions.

DeChoso said the city plans to continue working with employee steering committees and the council’s collective-bargaining task force as those bodies refine recommendations and identify bargaining topics.

Council did not take a formal vote on compensation at the work session; the presentation was provided to inform the FY2026 recommended operating budget process.","Human Resources briefed council on completed public-safety step increases and the rollout of a new general pay plan; staff said the city implemented multi-million-dollar raises last year and proposes a 3% general wage increase for eligible non-sworn employees in FY2026.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610114,"City finance director warns federal funding changes could affect FY2026 budget",324,17000,341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba&start=17&end=341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904603-8fddc3e9952291f655fef2973a188cba/thumbnail_17000.jpg","/articles/6610114/Virginia/City-finance-director-warns-federal-funding-changes-could-affect-FY2026-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610114-2a8db4f9b8e6219baeb96a71b39fcf18/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149956&Signature=dsGdoPqPtX7MyZrG7Krvr2r3gWBaDz~w7lCYZ5Ib~Clr4ySv26hlwqUXMw9KfZUZ3aohxAmSyd05aCdzQNBm3LgHk6RyDq1hMQjWVBW8uJtkVBNZUCS8yzT54kg6d7~UwQTVCcpUFZjKgrIJq8LE1AX4SmHqxIhwEjT-jqiI16YrDfSNANatIykaBDjUGW~X3cpBrWkEQJxPdIJvLui8WibA~E~9r4HyFJ3RIgR6pVjoEII-1eLvo0oMKvj2GSRJLZANyxNcvGjzoRNcyirKxesc96YqD~1HiyAXGXYlO-jJbaGdeFTOxJUrCf0YB21iH72Ttag4jKljiEogKTpxiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newport News officials told city council on April 8 that uncertainty from recent federal policy changes could affect the city’s fiscal year 2026 operating and capital plans.

Virginia Lovell, Director of Finance, briefed council on federal developments and the potential implications for the recommended FY2026 budget. “I will start with just a brief update on some of the changes happening at the federal level,” Lovell said, noting the new federal administration has issued numerous executive orders and an OMB memorandum that briefly proposed a temporary freeze on federal financial awards.

Lovell said the city receives its largest federal operating revenues from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which help fund programs such as TANF, SNAP, Medicaid and public housing maintenance. She also listed other federal supports: the Department of Justice and FEMA provide public safety purchases and training funding, and the U.S. Department of Transportation supplies the bulk of capital money for streets and bridges.

Lovell said about 300 city positions are partially or fully funded with federal dollars and that a downturn in federal-supported regional employers could reduce consumer-sensitive revenues such as meals and sales taxes, which are “estimated at over $76,000,000 in the recommended budget.”

“If we see impacts, our focus is on meeting our legal obligations,” Lovell said, adding that the city would prioritize paying debt service, funding the pension and maintaining core services. “New positions, salary increases, and other new programs on the 2026 budget will be implemented in a conservative manner to ensure we have a full understanding of impacts as they're coming down.”

Council members asked staff about specific programs and possible timing. Lovell said the situation is fluid and tied to the federal budget development; she said the city already maintains a list of capital projects and their grant status so staff can quickly identify which projects would be affected if grants change. She said projects substantially in construction are expected to continue, while projects still in design might require the city to reprioritize local funding.

Lovell also quantified certain federal-supported programs. She said FEMA and other federal grants provide equipment and training for public safety and that the victim-witness program brings in “a little over about a million dollars per year” to support victims and witnesses.

City staff and council members said they plan continued monitoring and outreach, including planned meetings by municipal leaders and the city’s federal lobbyist with federal agencies and contractors to seek clarity on solicitations and contract extensions.

The briefing was presented as part of the FY2026 operating-budget work session; no formal budget decision was taken at the April 8 session.","At an April 8 work session, Newport News finance officials told council that recent federal policy shifts and executive actions have injected uncertainty into federal grant streams that support operating and capital projects; staff said the city is monitoring impacts and will prioritize legal obligations if revenues fall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council votes: sponsorships approved, closed session authorized and certified

City assessor reports modest overall reassessment increase; appeals period set for mid-April

New city office outlines plan to coordinate community violence-intervention ecosystem

Newpay scales and public-safety step increases take effect; city proposes conservative FY2026 wage approach

City finance director warns federal funding changes could affect FY2026 budget