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Newport News council previews FY2026 budget moves, discusses redistributing festival support and approves elementary archery grant 7-0
Summary
At the May 13 work session, council members previewed budget-reconciliation categories for FY2026, discussed spreading existing festival support across Hilton Village events, and unanimously approved council contingency support for Richneck Elementary School's archery program.
At its May 13 work session, the Newport News City Council reviewed plans for fiscal year 2026 budget reconciliation, discussed redistributing existing city support among multiple Hilton Village festivals, and approved a council contingency request to support the Richneck Elementary School archery program by a 7-0 roll call vote.
Mayor Jones opened the item on budget reconciliation, saying the council has "a better process than last year" and outlining categories staff will examine as the budget is built, including a vacant-position review, airport commission support, tax-planning assumptions (a proposed 3% baseline reduction), and a potential 5% operating-cost overhead reduction subject to federal funding changes.
Councilman Alex Coleman urged redistributing the city's existing support — currently applied to one annual event — among Hilton Village's four major community events to bolster local small businesses and broaden community benefit. "It's 1 of the oldest neighborhoods here in the city of Newport News, and, I'm a former resident of the neighborhood and just a great place to live," Coleman said, arguing the change would enhance quality of life and regional draw.
Vice Mayor Bethany and other council members expressed support for continuing microgrants to local nonprofits and for streamlining contingency-signature circulation. The council also discussed the upcoming community survey, "Newport News Speaks Leaders Listen," and outreach to civic groups regarding Denbigh Day and other events.
The council voted on a contingency-support item for the Richneck Elementary School archery program. A motion was made and seconded; the roll call recorded seven yes votes and the mayor announced, "Motion carried 7 0." No no votes, abstentions or recusals were recorded. The meeting adjourned after these items. No ordinances or budget appropriations were adopted during the work session; actions were limited to the contingency-support approval and planning discussion.
