Newport News holds final FY2027 budget working session; disclosures read and contingency requests introduced

The Newport News City Council held a final working session to review the recommended FY2027 operating budget; city staff said no amendment forms were submitted and urged council to prepare for formal adoption at the council’s May 12 meeting.

Several council members read required conflict-of-interest disclosures before participating in discussion. Councilman Marcelus L. Harris III said, "I Marcelus L. Harris the third have a personal interest in the consideration and adoption of the fiscal year 2027 operating budget as my wife is a member of the Newport News School Board and I am an employee of the Bethe Family Foundation," and said his signed declaration is on file with the city clerk. Councilman Robert S. Coleman read a similar disclosure noting his employment with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula. A council member identified in the transcript as John R. Third, Councilman Cleon Long and Mayor Philip Jones also read disclosures and said signed statements are on file.

City staff and the finance chair said they had no recommended amendments; the manager thanked council and staff for their engagement during the budget process. Council members raised requests for clearer outreach connecting residents to tax-relief programs and other services; the mayor asked that the city present how to apply for tax-relief programs on the day the council votes on the budget.

Two council contingency fund requests were introduced for approval at a future meeting: $5,000 for the Mitchfield High School Band Boosters Association (sponsored by Councilman Robert S. Coleman) and $1,000 for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated's annual Father's Day breakfast (sponsored by Councilman Cleon Long). These were introduced and will be voted on at the next council meeting.

Procedural actions recorded in the session included a motion to allow Mayor Philip Jones to participate remotely (motion moved, seconded, roll call taken and the motion carried) and a motion by Councilman Cleon Long to convene a closed meeting under Va. Code §2.2-3711(A)(8) for consultation with legal counsel about permitting and contractual questions related to a city-sponsored Memorial Day event; that motion was seconded, roll call was taken and the council voted to enter the closed meeting. After the closed session the council certified that only lawfully exempted business was discussed and that certification passed on roll call.

Council members closed the session after those procedural items and the manager concluded remarks on the budget. The council will consider adoption of the FY2027 operating budget at its scheduled May 12 meeting.