Newport News City Council adopts FY2027 budget, preserves real-estate tax rate amid calls for senior relief

Newport News — The City Council approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget on May 12 after public hearings on the effective tax rate and multiple line items that implement the manager's recommendations.

City budget staff, represented in the hearing by Lisa Sabriano, told the council the city’s annual reassessment produced an overall average increase of 3.56% in assessed values and that the average single-family homeowner would see roughly a 4.5% assessment increase; she said that translated to about $46 more in annual taxes for the median home under the proposed rate. Sabriano said staff recommended maintaining the real-estate tax rate at the level proposed in the FY27 budget.

Residents who testified during the public hearing urged the council to target relief to people on fixed incomes. “I think we owe it to [seniors] to at least look at the programs of other cities and see how we might emulate them,” Patricia Carter told the council during public comment, asking officials to consider expanded senior property-tax relief. Another resident, Tess Leoo, said rising assessments are unsustainable for some households and urged that equity and community input guide spending decisions.

Council members debated and highlighted several relief and investment programs that will be part of budget implementation. Councilman Long noted the budget restores a facade-improvement residential program, a neighborhood grant, a housing-relief pilot and a down-payment assistance program that he said are intended to provide targeted relief and support to homeowners and workers in the city.

Speakers representing Newport News Public Schools and educators praised the increased school contribution. Gary Hunter, a member of the Newport News School Board, thanked the council for growing the school allocation and cited upcoming facility investments such as a ribbon-cutting for Huntington Middle School. Dr. James Graves, president of the Newport News Education Association, urged the council to consider the needs of bus drivers, custodians, teachers and other school employees when weighing budget impacts.

On a series of motions to adopt the ordinances and appropriations that together enact the FY2027 operating budget, council members voted in favor and the record in the meeting transcript shows the motions carried on the recorded voice votes.

What happens next: With approval, the city will move to implement the FY2027 appropriations and the programs discussed during the hearings. Council members said outreach will follow to ensure eligible residents can access relief programs.

Reported votes and formal actions: The package of budget ordinances (G1.1–G1.15) was adopted after line-item consideration and the final ordinance to appropriate FY2027 operating funds (G1.15) was approved by council during the May 12 meeting.

Why it matters: The FY2027 budget funds public safety, schools, employee compensation and capital investments. Residents and interest groups focused on how the city balances revenue from higher property assessments with targeted relief for seniors and lower-income households.