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Residents, advocates ask Newport News to expand tax relief and outreach for older homeowners
Summary
Speakers at a public hearing urged City Council to consider broader tax relief and non-digital outreach for older residents facing rising assessments; city staff pointed to the assessor's appeal process and a proposed budget change to expand eligibility.
At a public hearing, Newport News residents and advocates urged City Council to expand property tax relief and improve non-digital outreach to older homeowners who say rising assessments are pushing longtime residents toward losing their homes.
The requests came from several public commenters who described seniors facing higher assessments and limited access to electronic communications. Justin Kennedy, representing the Kennedy firm, said he had interviewed older residents and delivered two questions: “If you have over $200,000 worth of assets ... what can the city do to help people that are in their particular situations?” and how the city can reach seniors who do not use digital channels for information. Kennedy said several people he interviewed had lost homes after being priced out by rising assessments.
Lonnie Colson, who said he has lived in Newport News for more than 45 years, said rising property taxes threaten longtime homeowners. “My 401(k) does not need a roof now and then,” Colson said, arguing assessments treat homes only as investments rather than places to live. Sharon Scott, speaking later, expressed sympathy for seniors and urged the council to do more and to improve outreach to residents who do not use social media.
City staff responded during the hearing by pointing to a briefing from the city assessor's office given at a recent council work session. The staff speaker said the work-session recording and briefing explain the city's assessment and appeal process and that residents may schedule appointments with the assessor's office to discuss valuations. The speaker also said the recommended operating budget includes a proposal to raise the eligibility threshold for additional tax relief, which could allow some residents who previously did not qualify to be reconsidered under new guidelines.
No formal policy or ordinance change was adopted at the hearing. The council moved to close the public hearing at the end of the comment period; the motion carried on a 6-0 vote.
The public comments reflect concerns about assessment-related displacement and access to city communications; staff directed residents to the assessor's office for individual appeals and noted a forthcoming budget-based change to eligibility criteria for tax relief.
