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Residents tell Norfolk council to fix school spending and use city assets instead of raising taxes
Summary
Opponents of the 1% sales‑tax referendum said the city and school division should manage existing funds and city-owned assets better before asking voters for new revenue; comments cited alleged surpluses and enrollment declines.
Several residents used the public‑comment period to oppose placing a 1% sales‑tax question on the ballot, saying the city and schools should prioritize management of existing resources.
Jim Theurer, a Norfolk resident, said school budgets have increased while student performance fell; he asserted enrollment had decreased by about 27% and argued the city should not raise taxes to cover management shortfalls. Melissa Corrigan recounted personal experience with the public‑school system and said she observed a $13,000,000 surplus in 2023, urging the city to use existing revenue and city‑owned property income rather than increase taxes.
Opponents framed the referendum as a response to perceived fiscal mismanagement and called for transparency about how existing funds and city properties are being used. Those concerns were voiced alongside pro‑referendum comments from educators, leaving council with competing public perspectives as it advanced the resolution to the ballot.
