Newport News budget hearing spotlights calls for property-tax relief, support for senior services

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Newport News City Council heard public comments asking for greater property-tax relief for long-time homeowners and for continued funding of senior services and local cultural nonprofits during a continuation of the public hearing on the city manager's recommended Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget.

Residents and nonprofit leaders testified that rising assessments and costs are squeezing older residents on fixed incomes and urged the council to consider measures that would reduce tax burdens or improve outreach about exemptions and appeals. After the public comment period, council members voted to excuse Councilman Coleman from the meeting and to close the public hearing.

Marshall Morgart, of 205 Bruton Avenue, told the council he has been on a fixed income and described steep increases in his tax bill since 2019. "Mine personally have gone up from 2019 till now over 35%, which was from $1,800 to $2,800," Morgart said, urging the council to "decrease the rate" to give residents relief.

Bill Massey, chief executive officer of the Peninsula Agency on Aging, thanked council for including the agency in the manager's recommended budget and described the agency's work for older adults, including meals-on-wheels, nonemergency medical transportation, care coordination, information and referral, and in-home care. Massey said Newport News has 34,765 residents aged 60 and older, with 4,625 living at or below the poverty level and about 5,500 residents aged 80 and older; he said those numbers make aging services a city priority.

"We're thankful to be included in the city manager's recommended budget for FY 2026," Massey said.

Kate Helwig, executive director of Sister Cities Newport News, told council the nonprofit leverages volunteers to deliver programs that support the city's strategic goals, including education, cultural enrichment and welcoming communities. Helwig noted the group has more than 300 members and about 1,400 followers on Facebook and highlighted a planned citywide cycling campaign in partnership with Newport News' German sister city to promote cycling and climate protection.

Sarah Messersmith, president of the Board of Trustees at the Virginia Living Museum, thanked the council for budget support and said the museum supports science education and local tourism; she noted the museum trains roughly 600 volunteers annually and holds designations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums.

Justin Kennedy, representing The Kennedy Firm and seniors in the community, said some older homeowners have been priced out of their properties after assessment increases and asked what the city can do for people with certain asset levels and how the city can reach seniors who do not use digital communications.

Lonnie Colson, a long-time resident, and Sharon Scott, another senior speaker, echoed calls for more attention to seniors and to outreach beyond social media. Several speakers said current communication methods do not reliably reach residents older than 70 or 80 years old.

During the public comment period, the City Manager (staff member) said the city recently received a briefing from the city assessor's office and encouraged residents to review the recorded work session for details about the assessment and appeals process. The manager said staff welcome appointments or walk-ins for residents who wish to discuss property assessments and noted that the manager's recommended FY2026 budget includes a proposal to "provide additional tax relief to individuals who qualify" by raising the eligibility threshold so some residents who did not previously qualify could "take a second look" at eligibility.

The council recorded two formal actions during the session: a motion to excuse Councilman Coleman from the meeting, which passed 6-0, and a motion to close the public hearing, which also passed 6-0. No final action on the FY2026 operating budget occurred at the hearing; the session was a continuation of the public comment record.

The public comment period and staff remarks focused on outreach and the appeals process rather than adoption or amendment of specific budget line items. Several speakers urged the council to consider non-monetary steps such as expanded direct mail and in-person outreach to make seniors aware of exemptions and programs.

Council members disclosed personal interests related to the budget before comments began: Mayor Philip Jones said his wife is an employee of Riverside Health; Vice Mayor Curtis D. Bethany III, Councilman Marcellus L. Harris III, Councilman John R. Ealy III and Councilman Cleon M. Long each disclosed personal interests tied to family employment or affiliations and said written declarations were on file with the city clerk.

If the council proceeds with the manager's recommended change to the eligibility threshold for tax relief, staff said residents who previously did not qualify may be able to apply under the new criteria. The City Assessor's office staff, the manager said, are available to meet with residents to review assessments or explain the appeals process.

With public comments concluded, the council recorded the votes to excuse Councilman Coleman and to close the hearing; the council adjourned thereafter. The manager's recommended budget and any proposed changes will follow the council's established timeline for review and adoption.