City Council unanimously approves budget with lower tax rate

May 9, 2024 - The City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday night to approve a budget for Fiscal Year 2025 that will include a 1 cent reduction in real estate tax per $100 of assessed value, as well as staff compensation increases for the city's civilian workforce.

City Manager Mary Bunting crafted the budget, with input and feedback from residents through the city's "I Value" program. City Council has been lowering the tax rate in response to rising property values, and the new rate is 9 cents lower than it was three years ago.

"It's a good feeling to be able to lower the tax rate," Bunting said after the vote. "Plus, we gave significant salary increases to our employees. Those are two things that make me very happy - when we can balance taking care of our employees and taking care of our residents."

The reduction in the real estate tax rate, in response to rising property values in Hampton, means the rate will have dropped by 9 cents since Fiscal Year 2022.

Mayor Donnie Tuck said he was pleased that Bunting could provide a budget that achieved such a consensus on the City Council. He said the "I Value" program is invaluable in assembling a budget that reflects the needs and concerns of Hampton's residents.

"It's so important to have that input," Tuck said. "Before it ever gets to the point of a vote, we have the opportunity to gauge how the public feels about the proposed budget. It's good for them to understand that we consider their feelings and opinions."

The budget totals $643,271,950, a 5.2% increase from last year. That total includes the budget for Hampton City Schools, which is $289,035,244. The amount of city funds for schools is based on a formula, so the local contribution is proposed to be $95,000,573 from the City. That is $40 million above what the state requires.

The budget also contains staff compensation increases for the civilian workforce - a combination of a 3 percent general wage increase; additional increases for experienced long-term staff; and adjustments to the minimums of some ranges that are below the market. Sworn staff in the police, fire and EMS divisions received adjusted scales and a step plan in the FY24 budget.

Other new items that are proposed for funding include:

• Money for ongoing replacements of handheld computing devices for elementary students
• Police Department grant writer
• Camera enforcement of speed limits in school zones
• Bomb-detecting device for courthouse threats
• Police boat repairs
• Programming for teens in expanded hours
• Staffing for a second workforce development center
• Renovation of the Hampton Roads Convention Center (from a special fund, not general tax dollars)
• Renovations to the Senior Center
• Funding to renovate or replace some playground equipment
• The first phase of a renovation of East Mercury Boulevard
• Repairs to Settlers Landing Bridge
• Fiber optic traffic camera upgrade
• Roof replacement for the Main Library

The finalized budget will be posted online before the new fiscal year begins on July 1, and will be available for residents to study in book form at all branches of the Hampton Public Library.

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