The Norfolk City Council voted to authorize large financing measures and accept several state grants during the session, approving ordinances and resolutions that city staff said will support capital projects, transportation improvements and public‑safety equipment.

Why it matters: The votes clear the way for capital financing and grant‑funded projects that the city said will support transportation projects, victim‑witness services, police first‑aid equipment upgrades and workforce support for human services processing.

The council adopted an ordinance authorizing issuance of up to $225,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance portions of the city’s capital improvement program, following a public hearing on the proposal. The council also adopted an ordinance authorizing issuance and sale of up to $300,000,000 in general obligation refunding bonds to refinance certain earlier bond issues.

Other actions approved by roll call votes included: an amendment to the FY2026 appropriations ordinance to accept and appropriate up to $150,000 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for the Norfolk Community Services Board to hire developmental disability support coordinators; a resolution supporting an application for up to $14,165,530.50 from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) transportation revenue‑sharing program for eight city projects; and an amendment to accept $121,690 from the Virginia Department of Social Services for performance‑based bonuses in the Department of Human Services.

The council also accepted a VDOT grant of up to $1,694,900 (with an additional $45,100 local match from previously appropriated funds) for portable CCTV cameras, changeable message signs, signal timing updates and detection upgrades for signalized intersections; approved a $45,000 Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) JAG equipment grant for upgraded individual first‑aid kits for Norfolk Police (with a $15,000 local match); and accepted a DCJS grant of $741,985 for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s victim‑witness program.

All listed ordinances and resolutions were adopted as read or dispensed with the charter requirement for reading twice and approved by recorded “aye” votes from council members present, with the consent agenda passed except for item C1, which was continued.

Looking ahead: The measures authorize financing and accept grant awards; staff will return with implementing agreements and appropriation details as projects move forward.