City manager unveils $2.04 billion FY2027 spending plan, stresses public safety and schools; no property tax increase proposed

City Manager Pat Roberts on Monday presented the proposed fiscal year 2027 operating budget and five‑year Capital Improvement Plan to the Norfolk City Council, describing a combined financial plan of just over $2,043,785,000 and a general fund balanced at just over $1,240,000,000.

Roberts framed the presentation as a high‑level overview and emphasized priorities that include public safety, public education, neighborhood support and infrastructure resilience. "We did it," Roberts said, reporting that the administration closed an early projected gap of roughly $46,000,000. He added the proposal "does not rely on any increase in property tax rate adjustments or increases." (City Manager Pat Roberts)

Key spending figures in the proposal include a first‑year CIP of just over $335,000,000 and a five‑year CIP totaling about $1,129,000,000, roughly $250,000,000 less than the CIP adopted about 10 months earlier. Roberts said the reduction reflects a deliberate effort to reduce annual debt payments and the overall size and scope of capital borrowing.

Public safety and workforce changes are central to the plan. The manager proposed adding more than 30 full‑time equivalent positions in the Department of Fire Rescue to enable implementation of a four‑day suppression shift, scheduled to begin July 1, 2027, which Roberts said would reduce burnout and overtime and aid recruitment and retention. The budget also includes adjustments to sheriff and police compensation, and an initial $500,000 in staff resources proposed for the Commonwealth's attorney's office to support victims of misdemeanor crimes.

Education is a major capital focus. The CIP includes $158.5 million toward replacement of the city’s high school project (transcript spelling varies between "Maury" and "Murray" in the record) as part of a reported $220,000,000 investment council has committed to school construction, plus $8,000,000 in the first year for major maintenance of existing school buildings and a five‑year maintenance envelope the manager put at $20,000,000. Roberts said the proposed operating appropriation increases local school funding by more than $8,000,000 under the current funding formula.

The plan also calls for coastal resilience measures and neighborhood investments. Roberts proposed $8,700,000 across FY27–28 for shoreline stabilization and breakwaters at locations including Toller Place and Ocean View Beach Park, with a local contribution toward an Army Corps‑managed sand replenishment project that he estimated at $17,000,000 in local support when combined across years.

Other notable capital and program items highlighted by the manager include: - Replacement of Fire Station 9 on Granby Street at an estimated $11,000,000 (two‑year build); - A full renovation of Chrysler Hall scheduled to begin in July as a two‑year, roughly $90,000,000 project, with $76,000,000 requested over the next two years and state historic tax credits and philanthropic support expected to cover a significant portion; Roberts said state credits total about $20,000,000 to date; - $5,200,000 requested for Norfolk Scope systems work and $7,500,000 for the Scope central plant; - $6,700,000 in year‑one funding toward McArthur Mall redevelopment and $500,000 for a small business/nonprofit pick grant program; - Infrastructure maintenance such as $3,000,000 (split across FY27–28) for Lafayette River dredging and bridge rehabilitation and waterfront peer/bulkhead work estimated at about $5,000,000.

Roberts described workforce and compensation proposals including continued steps from the organization‑wide pay plan, a 2.5% general wage increase for employees not in the step program, an anticipated 5% employee health premium increase in January, and a proposed one‑time $625 supplement for qualifying Norfolk retirees.

On homelessness and human services the manager proposed nine new positions for the homeless task force to expand 24/7 outreach and wraparound services and cited HUD HOME and ESG funding levels that support regional programs.

Roberts stressed that revenue assumptions include continued growth in property values and consumption taxes (hotel/room and sales taxes) while acknowledging the budget is balanced without the one‑time federal relief funds that helped since 2020.

The budget calendar Roberts outlined includes a public hearing at Granby High School on April 8 at 6 p.m., continued online public comment collection through April, a state‑mandated real estate public hearing April 28, and a scheduled council vote to adopt the final FY2027 budget on May 12. The manager repeatedly encouraged continued public engagement through the city’s online portal ("Citizen Sense").

Roberts concluded by thanking budget and finance staff for their work. The council acknowledged the presentation and planned to reconvene for the remainder of the meeting at 6:00 p.m.