Newport News continues FY2026 budget hearing as residents urge funding for youth programs, mental health and homelessness

Mayor Philip Jones opened a public hearing on the city manager's recommended fiscal year 2026 operating budget and announced the hearing will continue Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at the Denbigh Community Center.

The hearing drew public testimony from local program leaders and advocates asking council to preserve or increase funding for youth mentorship and gun-violence intervention programs, community literacy services, mental-health counseling and homelessness response. Speakers framed the requests as connected to the city's stated budget priorities, including public safety, housing and essential services.

Why it matters: the city must hold at least one public hearing before adopting the budget; council is scheduled to adopt the Newport News Public Schools operating budget on May 13 and the full city budget by state deadlines in mid-May to mid-June. Funding decisions this spring will determine whether several community organizations continue receiving city-supported grants.

Mayor Philip Jones introduced the budget process and said the administration used priority-based budgeting and resident input tools to set priorities. "This is your city, and your voice matters," Jones said, inviting residents to the April 8 and April 10 hearings and a virtual town hall on April 17.

Multiple presenters described how city funding has supported their programs and urged continued support:

- Assistant Principal Terry Fenner, representing My Brother's Keeper and My Sister's Keeper, said the mentorship program formed after the 2021 Heritage High School shooting and "is breaking cycles, healing trauma and building leaders." He asked council to approve a Community Support Agency grant for the program.

- Christopher Moore, president of Back for the Kids Movement, said his gun-violence intervention organization applied for a community support grant but "was not considered," and asked to be reconsidered.

- Katie Morgan, executive director of Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads (YVCHR), described a program called Service Through STEM that pairs high school mentors with elementary students. "Funding that for YVCHR, breathe new life into our school clubs and launched the creation of service through STEM," Morgan said and asked council to consider the program's value during budget decisions.

- Jason Thornton, executive director of Literacy for Life, thanked council for including his organization in the recommended budget and said the group expects to increase the number of Newport News residents it serves after moving to a central city location.

- Chanel Ketchmore (Ketchmore Kids) introduced two young program participants and asked council for continued support: "we are very grateful and we do ask for your continued support," she said.

- Philip Hatchett, past chairman of the board of Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, said the organization was omitted from a $10,000 community grant and described the organization's work providing low-cost or free counseling and a residency program that trains new therapists. "This $10,000 will pay for our people who are underserved," Hatchett said.

- Aaron Easter, representing Virginia Organizing, urged council to release the results of a regional study on shelter needs and commit local funds, noting that shelter and housing resources are at or near capacity. "The issue of homelessness is continuing to get worse," he said. Budget staff later told Councilman Neely that the city's current budget contribution for homelessness-related services is roughly $2.3 million, and the vice mayor indicated additional funding pushes the total near $3 million when combined with partner contributions.

- Whitney King of the Autism Society of Tidewater thanked council for the city's recognition of Autism Acceptance Month and noted the Newport News Police Department's Project Guardian Grama initiative to educate officers about autism.

Council procedures and conflicts of interest: at the start of the hearing several council members read disclosures stating they had personal interests related to the FY2026 budget (for example, spouses employed by entities affected by the budget); each said the written disclosures were on file and that they were not disqualified from participating.

Outcome and next steps: a motion to continue the public hearing to Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. in Room 113 of the Denbigh Community Center passed on a 6-0 roll call. Council members said additional budget work sessions are scheduled, and the administration's online resources (including the recommended budget and an interactive Balancing Act tool) are available for public review.

Community groups and details mentioned in testimony include: My Brother's Keeper/My Sister's Keeper (mentorship), Back for the Kids Movement (gun-violence intervention), Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads (Service Through STEM), Literacy for Life (adult literacy), Ketchmore Kids (youth services), Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center (mental-health counseling), and Virginia Organizing (homelessness advocacy). Several speakers referenced recent awards or recognitions, outreach retreats, and program metrics in support of continued funding.

The public hearing will resume April 10 at 7 p.m.; council staff and the budget office will continue work-session briefings ahead of the formal budget adoption schedule.