CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Chesapeake City Council voted 9-0 to approve the city’s fiscal year 2023-24 budget on Tuesday night.

The budget includes $10.9 million for a 5% general wage increase for all city employees, and funding for a step pay increase for public safety personnel.

There’s all funding ($8 million in local money and $3 million from the federal government) for the city’s first public indoor pool at the Cuffee Community Center.

Residents will also see a 4-cent reduction in their real estate tax rate again this year, from $1.05 per $100 in assessed value to $1.01, after assessments increased significantly again this year, 8.8% on average citywide. If the rate stayed at $1.05, the city would see $47.5 million in additional revenue, City Manager Christopher Price said.

President Joe Biden speaks with members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and then on to Chicago. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
President Joe Biden speaks with members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and then on to Chicago. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

You can read more about the budget here.