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Newport News Council establishes City Auditor office, approves code changes, tax-exemption expansion and property purchase
Summary
The Newport News City Council on Jan. 14 adopted an ordinance to create an independent Office of the City Auditor, approved amendments to the City Code including expanded background checks, broadened a surviving-spouse real-estate tax exemption tied to Department of Defense determinations, and authorized the purchase of property to support the Safe Haven Empowerment Center.
The Newport News City Council on Jan. 14 adopted four separate measures intended to increase transparency, align City Code with the charter and state law, expand a surviving-spouse tax exemption, and authorize acquisition of property to support the Safe Haven Empowerment Center.
City Manager presented each item and recommended approval. “I recommend approval,” the City Manager said as the council moved through the agenda. Council members voted on each measure by roll call; most measures passed unanimously. Councilman Harris abstained from the property purchase vote and filed a written declaration with the city clerk disclosing a personal interest.
The first ordinance formally established the Office of the City Auditor as an independent entity with duties that include appointment…
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