City of Norfolk Proposed Budget FY 2027 Public Hearing - April 8, 2026

The City of Norfolk held a public hearing on April 8, 2026, to discuss the proposed fiscal year 2027 operating and capital improvement program (CIP) budgets. Numerous community members testified, focusing heavily on concerns about budget allocations and equity across the city. Key procurement-related discussions included calls for increased funding for smaller community-based organizations, particularly those serving underserved neighborhoods, and criticism of the CIP's heavy investment in downtown and West Side areas at the expense of the East Side. Speakers highlighted the lack of funding for the promised East Side Recreation and Library Center and Military Circle redevelopment, with $72 million allocated to MacArthur Center redevelopment but none for Military Circle. There were also concerns about insufficient school maintenance funding, with the school board's $17 million request being cut to $8 million in the proposed budget, and calls to reinvest savings from school closures back into schools. Other procurement-related topics included requests for increased funding for coastal management and beach nourishment projects, parks and green space maintenance, and library services. Several speakers urged the city council to amend the budget to address these disparities and fulfill prior commitments. No formal votes or motions were recorded during the hearing, but the public testimony clearly emphasized the need for more equitable budget allocations and capital investments across Norfolk.