Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Newport News schedules May 12 vote on FY2027 budget; council allows remote participation for mayor
Loading...
Summary
At a final working session ahead of a May 12 adoption vote, Newport News city leaders reviewed the recommended FY2027 operating budget, approved remote participation by Mayor Philip Jones, and asked staff to better coordinate outreach about tax-relief and other resident programs.
The Newport News City Council held its final working session on the recommended FY2027 operating budget and approved a motion allowing Mayor Philip Jones to participate remotely from a conference. The presiding official said no amendment forms had been submitted and that adoption is expected at the May 12 council meeting.
City Manager thanked council and staff for their engagement in the budget process and said he hoped the administration had answered council’s policy questions. He invited any remaining comments before the adoption vote; none of the council members present proposed substitutions or formal amendments during the working session.
Council members pressed staff to do a better job connecting residents to existing tax-relief programs and other services. Mayor Philip Jones, participating remotely, asked that council and staff prepare a concise review of tax-relief options on the day the budget is adopted so residents know how to apply. Several council members suggested town-hall sessions and hands-on help, particularly for seniors, to navigate online applications.
Manager and council also discussed outreach tied to planned pilots included in the budget. The manager said staff is still finalizing some administrative details for the tax-relief pilot and that the commissioner of revenue will be part of the application process; only after those process details are settled will the city escalate public advertising and outreach.
Two council contingency fund requests were introduced for a future vote: $5,000 for the Mitchfield High School Band Boosters (sponsored by Councilman Robert S. Coleman) and $1,000 for the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Father’s Day breakfast (sponsored by Councilman Cleon Long). Those items were introductions only and will be considered at the next council meeting.
The session also included required conflict-of-interest disclosures related to the budget; council members confirmed written declarations are on file with the city clerk.
Procedural actions taken during the session included approval of the mayor’s remote participation and later motions to move into, and to certify after, a closed meeting for legal consultation (see separate article). The manager closed his remarks by thanking staff for their work on the budget.
Next steps: the council is expected to vote on the FY2027 operating budget at its May 12 meeting.
