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Newport News council unanimously approves $92.42M in G.O. bonds, $30M water bonds and routine measures
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Summary
The Newport News City Council on July 22 approved an ordinance to issue $92,420,000 in general obligation bonds and a $30,000,000 water revenue bond and adopted several other ordinances and resolutions, including a budget readoption that raises school funding about 2.9%.
The Newport News City Council on July 22 voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance authorizing the city to issue $92,420,000 in general obligation bonds to finance various public-improvement projects and approved a separate resolution to issue $30,000,000 in water revenue bonds for water system upgrades.
City Manager (first referenced at the lectern) told the council the budget readoption for fiscal year 2025-26 is necessary to operate the city over the coming year and said the update "allows the school system to maintain a balanced budget" with overall school funding increasing by approximately 2.9% over fiscal year 2024-25. He recommended approval of the budget ordinance, which the council adopted unanimously.
Council also approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to make offers to acquire property by voluntary sale or condemnation for the Pump Station 56 project, a temporary nonexclusive revocable license with Fairlead Boat Works, Inc. to use city rights-of-way for telecommunications, and a three-year memorandum of agreement with the 730th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis for mutual support with the Newport News Police Department. The council received bids related to granting a 40-year access easement over city-owned property at 13141 Jefferson Avenue; a bidder on the floor offered $1 and the matter will be referred to the city manager's office for follow-up. All routine motions and resolutions noted on the agenda that night were carried by recorded votes of 7-0 unless otherwise stated.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance to issue $92,420,000 in general obligation bonds to finance public-improvement projects — Adopted (motion carried; recorded vote: 7-0). Topic presented and vote opened and recorded during public hearing and subsequent roll call. - Resolution to issue $30,000,000 in water revenue bonds for water improvement projects — Adopted (motion carried 7-0). - Ordinance authorizing acquisition offers for property for Pump Station 56 project — Adopted (motion carried 7-0). - Consent agenda (minutes and routine items F1 and F2) — Approved (motion carried 7-0). - Ordinance readopting the fiscal 2025-26 operating budget (Ordinance 8,070 125 as presented) — Adopted (motion carried 7-0); City Manager said school funding increases ~2.9%. - Memorandum of agreement with 730th Security Forces Squadron (Joint Base Langley-Eustis) — Approved (motion carried 7-0). - Temporary nonexclusive revocable license with Fairlead Boat Works, Inc. (five-year renewal) — Approved (motion carried 7-0). - Receipt of bids for granting a 40-year access easement at 13141 Jefferson Avenue — Received; referral to city manager's office for follow-up.
What happens next Most measures approved are financing or administrative actions that enable staff to proceed with project contracts, property offers, and interagency coordination. The budget ordinance takes effect as the city's operating plan for FY2025-26. For the easement matter at Jefferson Avenue, staff will process bids and return with recommended next steps.
