Proposed FY23-24 Resource Management Plan (Budget)
At budget time, everyone has a suggestion. Spend more money here. Lower a tax there.
The City is offering new tools for residents to engage with, and comment on, the Proposed FY23-24 Resource Management Plan. Residents have the ability to tinker with the proposed FY 2023-24 City budget and suggest changes by raising or lowering individual taxes or individual spending items. The only catch is that the budget must balance.
For every change in spending or revenue, there must be an offsetting change elsewhere. Lower taxes? Sure – but you must also lower spending somewhere, or raise taxes elsewhere, to balance the budget. Want more money for a favorite service? Absolutely – but show us where you'll get the money by trimming another service or raise a tax or fee.
The City Manager's Proposed FY23-24 Resource Management Plan was presented to City Council on March 21, 2023. Over the next month, City Council will review the proposed Plan, make adjustments, and adopt a reconciled, balanced budget on May 9, 2023.
Resources are available for review:
- Presentation of the FY23-24 Resource Management Plan to City Council on March 21, 2023;
- Department and Capital Improvement Program briefings to City Council (updated on a rolling basis as department are briefing weekly through April 25);
- Responses to City Council questions on specific items (also updated on a rolling basis); and
- City Council Presentation on April 11, 2023 regarding 1, 2 and 4 cent reductions
Residents can weigh in with their suggestions, comments and recommendations in a variety of ways:
1. Attend one of the public meetings:
- April 19, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street
- April 25, 2023 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 2401 Courthouse Drive (City Hall)
2. Interact with Balancing Act and submit your balanced budget.
3. Submit feedback through the comment section below or email the project inbox.
4. Call 855-925-2801 and enter Project Code 6739 and leave a voice mail message (3 minute limit).
All comments received via the form or via phone will be provided to City Council. The deadline for submissions is 11 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
Phases
Survey Responses
Phase report
Comments: What suggestion, recommendation, request or input would you like to share with City Council? [#195627]
Most respondents emphasized the importance of maintaining or increasing funding for public education, particularly supporting the School Board’s budget and ensuring adequate compensation for teachers. Many highlighted that strong schools and well-paid educators are essential for community success, property values, and attracting new residents and businesses. Several teachers shared personal experiences of financial hardship due to low wages and urged the City Council to approve pay increases and avoid further cuts.
There was broad concern about reducing real estate taxes if it would negatively impact school funding. Some respondents explicitly opposed tax reductions, prioritizing school investment and infrastructure, such as rebuilding aging schools. Others suggested a cautious approach to tax reduction, recommending it only if public safety and education remain adequately funded. A few advocated for a modest tax reduction (e.g., 1%) as a compromise, provided teacher pay raises are approved.
Additional suggestions included having developers pay their fair share, phasing in compensation increases over two years, reducing general fund contingencies, holding flood protection reserves at previous levels, and limiting increases in city staffing to avoid future financial strain.
Overall, the dominant trend is strong support for prioritizing school funding and teacher compensation, with caution against tax reductions that could undermine these priorities.