Residents urge senior tax relief, safer bike/ped routes and downtown parking changes at Newport News hearing

Several Newport News residents used the council’s May 12 public‑hearing and citizen‑comment periods to press elected officials on affordability, safety and local economic opportunity.

Patricia Carter, a Southeast neighborhood resident, urged the council to explore property‑tax relief targeted at seniors on fixed incomes, noting there are relatively few homeowners in her census tract and that homeowners who remain are often elderly and on fixed incomes. "We owe it to them to at least look at the programs of other cities and see how we might emulate them to give them a little bit more relief," she said.

Tess (Tess Ladue), a Newport News homeowner and health‑department worker, told the council that while the city is not raising the tax rate, rising assessments have made property taxes increasingly burdensome for some households. "My tax has steadily increased over the last six years ... it's not sustainable for me," she said, and asked the council to consider community input when deciding how to spend increased revenue.

Eve Ragaza (introduced by the mayor) criticized the CIP priorities for road work and questioned whether widening projects improve safety. She said the capital plan shows roughly $178 million for streets and bridges over five years and highlighted a proposed $21 million widening on J. Clyde, asking, "Safety to who?" and urging greater investment in pedestrian and bike infrastructure instead of widening high‑speed vehicle corridors.

Alan Tanner, an attorney who spoke on G1.2, proposed that the city monetize underused parking assets downtown to raise revenue and reduce the local tax burden on residents, saying rough estimates could yield about $15,000,000 for the general fund if city parking were managed more aggressively.

Small‑business owner Fitzgerald Harnett asked when the city’s disparity study will be released and how findings will be shared, arguing better communication is needed so Newport News businesses can access contracting opportunities. Raymond Dixon described a Chestnut Avenue redevelopment effort tied to affordable housing and noted the owners had documented a historical connection to singer Pearl Bailey. Josh Hughes praised the budget’s long‑term investments, workforce development and the mayor’s pledge to hold a vote on opening collective‑bargaining discussions.

Councilmembers acknowledged these comments in their post‑vote remarks. Several members said staff will continue to expand outreach about existing relief programs and finalize details for new pilot programs. The meeting record shows the budget and associated ordinances were adopted 7–0; councilmembers said they would continue considering senior relief and pedestrian safety as part of future planning efforts.