Budget Buzz: Norfolk’s Plans for the Year Ahead

Good afternoon,

How is it already June? Once Memorial Day hits I think…before you know it I will be wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Norfolk City Council recently received a briefing from Stephen Kirkland, Director, Norfolk Cruise Terminal. Stephen reported on the activities that took place in March/April/May at the Decker Half Moone Cruise Terminal as a result of the tragedy at the Frances Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Within days of the accident, Norfolk was prepared to help the cruise operations that were diverted from Baltimore. Here are some interesting stats:

46,673 passengers embarked and debarked
11 cruise ship calls took place that were otherwise unscheduled
481 buses traveled to and from Baltimore transporting passengers

As you may know, the Norfolk Cruise Terminal soon will undergo major upgrades to accommodate our future year-round cruise schedule with Carnival Cruise Lines. Fortunately, the construction was not impacted as it will begin in June.

I attended the Norfolk Police Academy Graduation on May 30. I am very thankful for these individuals who step up and serve our great city. It is wonderful to see the moms, dads, wives, little kids, uncles, mentors and friends pin the badge on the new police officer. I also attended the Norfolk Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony at the MacArthur Memorial Square where we honored the fallen heroes who died in the line of duty serving Norfolk. Again, you see family members attend this ceremony honoring their loved one. It is a solemn and humbling experience.

And, lastly, we passed our FY25 budget. The operating budget totals $1,531,520,645. The capital budget totals $285,272,220. In total our budget is $1,816,792,865. Highlights include:

Reduces the Real Estate Tax rate from $1.25/$100 to $1.23/$100 assessed value
Increases general wage by 3.5%
Increases the pay scale for public safety by 1%
Offers a retention bonus for 911 call operators
Expands hours for anchor branch libraries and the Slover Library
Renovates the tennis courts and adds lines for pickle ball at Lafayette Park, Lakewood Park and Berkley Park
Includes $50,000 for Vision Zero – keeping our roads safe
Repairs the Hague bulkhead; dredges the Lafayette River around South Blake Road, Sir Oliver Road and Arden Circle; funds project to reduce flooding around Richmond Crescent and Surrey Crescent
Funds major renovations for Chrysler Hall and Scope Arena
Funds the construction of a new Maury High School
Funds the formation of a Homeless Task Force

From large to small, this budget is sound and strategic. I appreciate the good work of Norfolk City Manager Pat Roberts and Budget Director Pete Buryk for overseeing a very smooth budget season.

Have a great weekend.

Cheers!