The initial 2019 budget plan for Virginia Beach would have increased taxes and fees for the average family by almost $100.
Residents were looking at paying higher personal property taxes, higher cigarette taxes, higher waste management fees and higher vehicle license fees.
But at Tuesday’s meeting, city officials say they’ve found a way to make the budget work without the increases.
“It’s a reconciliation of everybody’s thoughts on the budget and nobody got everything they wanted,” said Mayor Louis Jones. “I think everybody got enough that they’re willing to vote for the budget.”
According to the mayor, keeping taxes and fee rates where they are won’t affect the city’s projects or day-to-day operations. Some residents argue the new budget proposal doesn’t do enough to fund what they deem necessary projects, like dredging for stormwater run-off.
“They should be pouring millions into this right now,” said resident Robert Dean. “These were dug right around 1969, they’re now just finally being dredged. Because at any given time you only had about 3 inches of water in here because of the siltation so that it filled in, so when it rained there was no place for the water to go other than up through our streets and into our homes.”
Crafters of the budget were able to make the numbers work by putting off hiring for staff positions.
“There was about 27 million dollars in the budget for jobs that are not filled at this point in time and it wasn’t likely that they would be filled during the year,” said Mayor Jones.
He also said it won’t affect how the city operates because they have unfilled positions every year. Overall the mayor says he’s pleased with the compromise and the budget is good for the people of Virginia Beach.
“I think quite frankly we added a lot of public safety, we’ve added a tremendous program for floodwater and stormwater management, we’ve increased our emergency medical services in the city, I think the people of Virginia Beach are going to fair well.”
The city is scheduled to vote on the budget May 15.
