Hampton details 'I Value' resident budget outreach, schedules in‑person and virtual sessions

Mary Fugere (marketing/engagement lead) reviewed the I Value process — the city’s practice of soliciting resident priorities before drafting the manager’s recommended budget — and invited residents to upcoming in‑person sessions and a virtual Facebook Live. "We invite participation and are eager to hear what our residents would like to see occur in the coming fiscal year," Fugere said, and staff listed proposed capital and operating requests (street maintenance, Hampton History Museum improvements, Bluebird Gap Farm revisioning, steam‑plant and school technology investments, and a pilot electric vehicle transition for the city fleet).

Fugere said the city will hold two in‑person sessions (Mar. 18 at the Aquaplex, Mar. 22 at the American Theater in Phoebus), a virtual Facebook Live with the city manager on Mar. 20, and will present participation results March 26 with the manager’s recommended budget released on April 15; two public hearings are scheduled April 23 and May 7 and first/second readings align with that calendar.

Councilmembers urged additional outreach methods — direct mail/postcards, subscription e‑news, and continued social media — to reach residents who are not online; Fugere and staff said postcards are an option if council supports the funding and that staff will pursue a mix of channels to broaden participation.