Chesapeake council adopts FY 2025–26 budget; council approves TIF transfers and tax changes, adds funding for victim‑witness program

Chesapeake City Council approved the fiscal year 2025–26 operating and capital budgets and a series of related tax and funding measures during its May 13 meeting.

The council voted unanimously to set the city tax levy for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and to adopt the operating budget and appropriation ordinance. The council also approved transfers of declared surplus balances from two tax‑increment financing (TIF) districts — $4,860,912 from the Greenbrier TIF and $5,701,880 from the South Norfolk TIF — to the general fund.

Councilmembers also approved an ordinance increasing the flat transient occupancy collection from $1 to $2 per night and directed the revenue from that increase into the conference center special revenue fund. Separately, council established a 0.5 percent dedication of meal tax revenue to the city lockbox in support of…