City of Virginia Beach 2015-16 Proposed Budget & CIP
On March 24, City Manager James K. Spore proposed a $1.87 billion operating budget for fiscal 2015-16. After reviewing the proposed operating budget and the six-year capital improvement program, please provide your suggestions to the following questions:
What suggestions do you have for the operating budget?
Stop taxing the homeowners to death. Spend the money on projects/services needed citywide (e.g. police, fire, education, roadways, flooding mitigation, etc.) and not on projects/services that some select individuals and entities might want (e.g. light rail).
Which revenues would you adjust – up or down?
Adjust the real estate tax up slightly from last year’s, but down from the proposed rate to help pay our city employees. Remove the real estate tax for the light rail. Increase the hotel room tax. Remove or lower the vehicle registration fee.
If you adjust revenues, which expenses would you change to balance it – up or down?
Add a special tax zone in the Newtown and Pembroke SGA areas to pay for the light rail since they will be the beneficiaries of the light rail. Increase taxes and fees on boats and other pleasure craft. For everything else please see the response to the prior question.
What suggestions do you have for the 6-year capital plan?
Improve the roadways, install and upgrade intelligent traffic signaling systems, water/sewer system, and flood mitigation. Remove the funding for light rail, recreation centers, and other “wants” that the city doesn’t need in this fiscally tough time. A fixed transit system is a waste of money when the technology will more-than-likely be obsolete in a few years (e.g. Google made a self-driving car!) and goes nowhere worth noting for the foreseeable future (i.e. isolated to the south side along a major interstate that doesn’t go to the naval base, shipyards, medical center, or the oceanfront). Develop the SGA’s before light rail to ensure the rail is worth the cost.
What projects would you add?
Better bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure between the residential and commercial areas. I-64 interchange between Greenbrier Pkwy and Indian River Rd.
Which projects would you remove?
Light rail. New recreation centers; private facilities provide the same or better service for reasonable and competitive costs.
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What suggestions do you have for the operating budget?
Stop taxing the homeowners to death. Spend the money on projects/services needed citywide (e.g. police, fire, education, roadways, flooding mitigation, etc.) and not on projects/services that some select individuals and entities might want (e.g. light rail).Which revenues would you adjust – up or down?
Adjust the real estate tax up slightly from last year’s, but down from the proposed rate to help pay our city employees. Remove the real estate tax for the light rail. Increase the hotel room tax. Remove or lower the vehicle registration fee.If you adjust revenues, which expenses would you change to balance it – up or down?
Add a special tax zone in the Newtown and Pembroke SGA areas to pay for the light rail since they will be the beneficiaries of the light rail. Increase taxes and fees on boats and other pleasure craft. For everything else please see the response to the prior question.What suggestions do you have for the 6-year capital plan?
Improve the roadways, install and upgrade intelligent traffic signaling systems, water/sewer system, and flood mitigation. Remove the funding for light rail, recreation centers, and other “wants” that the city doesn’t need in this fiscally tough time. A fixed transit system is a waste of money when the technology will more-than-likely be obsolete in a few years (e.g. Google made a self-driving car!) and goes nowhere worth noting for the foreseeable future (i.e. isolated to the south side along a major interstate that doesn’t go to the naval base, shipyards, medical center, or the oceanfront). Develop the SGA’s before light rail to ensure the rail is worth the cost.What projects would you add?
Better bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure between the residential and commercial areas. I-64 interchange between Greenbrier Pkwy and Indian River Rd.Which projects would you remove?
Light rail. New recreation centers; private facilities provide the same or better service for reasonable and competitive costs.