Newport News adopts FY2026 budget, five-year CIP and multiple ordinances; council approves leases, purchase and appropriations

Newport News City Council on May 13 approved the city's Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget and a five-year Capital Improvement Plan and adopted a package of ordinances and resolutions touching taxes, utilities, permitting and personnel.

The council voted 7-0 to adopt the FY2026 operating budget and a companion ordinance reordaining chapters of the city code covering real estate and personal property taxation, water and sewer charges, and other fee schedules. The council also approved a five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) for FY2026'FY2030 and several policy updates, including a revised flood assistance program and a citywide safety action plan funded by a Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets for All grant.

The decisions matter because they set tax, rate and fee structure for the coming fiscal year, allocate capital spending across school and city facility projects and create the policy framework for several resilience and public-safety projects. The CIP as presented included a multi-year list of projects and financing assumptions tied to bond, cash capital and grant sources.

Most motions were presented by the city manager's office and carried on voice roll calls with no public speakers. The council adopted or amended multiple sections of the city code (chapter references appear on the agenda) and approved new or revised city policies that will govern water, sewer, street permits, and the city's approach to flood acquisition. The capital plan submitted to council listed large projects including Warwick High School renovations, development of the Seafood Industrial Park, continued investment in the Court Choice Neighborhood and Safe Haven Empowerment Center, and athletic field lighting upgrades. The CIP materials included a multi-year funding summary provided to council during the presentation.

Council also approved a 20-year lease, with a 20-year renewal option, authorizing the city manager to lease Parcel 1A in the Seafood Industrial Park to the Newport News Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support development of an upcoming seafood market; the EDA will facilitate a sublease to Lucky Dog Crab and Seafood Company. The council approved an appropriation of $15,000 from the Commonwealth's Attorney Asset Forfeiture Fund for victim services and community outreach programs.

On a separate item, council approved purchase of a 4.79-acre property on Cannon Boulevard, including a six-story, 111,224-square-foot building, from Hampton University for $9,500,000; that motion passed 6-0 with one abstention. The mayor recorded an abstention on that item.

Votes at a glance (select items): - FY2026 operating budget (ordinance to approve budget and appropriate funds for 07/01/2025'06/30/2026): motion approved, roll call 7-0. - Capital Improvement Plan FY2026'FY2030 (resolution): approved, roll call 7-0. The staff presentation listed a multi-year financial plan and project list; materials shown to council listed total general-fund-supported spending of $710,500,000 and financing drawn from general obligation bonds of $4,483,600,000, cash capital of $128,800,000 and grant funding of $98,200,000 (figures presented in staff summary). - Ordinances amending/reordaining Chapter 40 (real estate and tangible personal property taxation), Chapter 42 (water rates), Chapter 33 (sewers and sewage disposal), and Chapter 38 (streets and sidewalks permit and fee rules): each adopted, roll calls 7-0. - Resolution to adopt citywide safety action plan (Safe Streets for All): approved, roll call 7-0. - Resolution to adopt revised flood assistance program policy and authorize grant applications for flood mitigation assistance: approved, roll call 7-0. - Lease: Parcel 1A in Seafood Industrial Park to Newport News EDA (facilitating sublease to Lucky Dog Crab and Seafood Company), term 20 years + one 20-year renewal option: approved, roll call 7-0. - Purchase of property from Hampton University (4.79 acres; 111,224 sq ft building) for $9,500,000: approved, roll call 6-0 with 1 abstention (Mayor Philip Jones abstained). - Appropriation of $15,000 from Commonwealth's Attorney Asset Forfeiture Fund for victim services and outreach: approved, roll call 7-0.

The consent agenda (minutes and a resolution consenting to appointment of Wesley A. Rogers as coordinator of emergency management) was approved 7-0. Public hearings on the effective real property tax rate were opened and closed with no speakers; the motion to close the hearing carried 7-0.

Council members made brief remarks of thanks to staff for the budget process before adjourning; no contested roll-call outcomes were recorded other than the abstention on the Hampton University property purchase. Implementation steps and specific project schedules for CIP items will be determined through staff procurement and project management processes and additional approvals where required.

A full list of ordinances, resolutions and roll-call tallies is recorded in the official minutes and in the transcript for the May 13 meeting.