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Public gets opportunity to speak on Norfolk city budget

Posted at 6:28 PM, Apr 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-19 18:28:05-04

NORFOLK, Va. – Dozens took their seat in the Granby High School Auditorium Wednesday wearing shirts reading “VOTE to fully fund the budget.”

The shirts, worn by the Norfolk Federation of Teachers, criticize the proposed FY2018 Norfolk city budget.

The $853 million General fund budget in its current form does not include an extra $10 million approved by the Norfolk School Board last month, which in part would be used to save nine teaching positions.

Early in the meeting, Norfolk Superintendent Melinda Boone expressed her disappointment in the city’s proposed budget.

Mayor Kenny Alexander has said such an increase would require raising taxes.

When the proposed budget was introduced last week Interim City Manager Douglas Smith said it supported council’s priorities with an added emphasis on housing, public safety and education.

City council is expected to vote on the budget in May.