VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Beach City Council has adopted a budget for the fiscal year of 2016-2017.
The budget covers July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.
The budget will preserve the lowest tax rates in Hampton Roads, while funding 127 new school employees, 13 new police officers, a new fire and rescue station and a new recreation center.
City Manager Dave Hansen proposed a $1.9 billion budget for the fiscal year 2016-2017 in March.
After listening to citizen’s concerns, the council amended the proposed budget.
Council added $2.4 million to give school employees the same 3.44 percent raise as city employees. Half of the money will come from the city, half will come from the state.
One million dollars will be used to add more medics and firefighters and $105,000 will be added to restore the purchase of library books and materials to 2016 levels.
The proposed budget cut city funding to the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, the Old Coast Guard Station museum, city-owned historic homes and historic preservation. The budget will add $193,000 to restore those programs and include a $75,000 for a feasibility study for the proposed African-American Cultural Center.
Spending next year will increase 2.3 percent. Tax rates on real estate and cars will not change.
The monthly trash fee, which pays for collections, disposal and recycling, will rise $1.64. Some recreation center fees also will increase.
To read the complete budget, visit www.VBgov.com/budget. To see an estimate of all your city taxes and where the money goes, visit Taxpayer Receipt at http://virginiabeachva.abalancingact.com/taxreceipt.
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