VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Time is running out for Virginia Beach residents to speak their minds when it comes to the 2025 Virginia Beach budget.
On Tuesday, all Virginia Beach residents are invited to attend a public hearing at City Hall for the budget. Another was held on April 17th and it has already divided some residents.
The budget is 2.77 percent higher than last year’s operating budget. Kevin Chatellier, Director of Budget and Management Services, attributes that to revenue growth, though not as high as other post-pandemic years.
One of the major highlights of the budget is the real estate tax deduction.
"Let's be clear this would not impact struggling families," said one resident. "This would impact only a handful of the most influential families who hold a lot of land in Virginia Beach."
The rate would drop from 99 cents to 97 cents. Some argued the tax deduction could hurt schools among other city services.
The operating budget proposal also includes increasing the waste management monthly fee by three dollars and five cents because the current recycling contract is doubling in cost.
"To maintain the same service that citizens are currently being provided, the cost went up dramatically. And basically, it will cost us another three dollars and five cents to provide the same baseline services," said City Manager Patrick Duhaney.
Also listed in the proposed operating budget, both city and school employees would get pay increases, though they would be structured differently.
The budget would also add employees to multiple departments—15 security positions for elementary schools and 14 middle school reading specialists, 4 EMS paramedics, 17 public works personnel and 17 firefighters.
The city must make a decision on the budget by May 14th.