NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Norfolk unveiled a nearly $2 million proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year, with employee recruitment and more tourism the big goals for city leaders. The plan, presented by City Manager Patrick Roberts at Tuesday's City Council meeting, has a proposed $5 monthly incre ase for residents for waste management, as well as a 2.5% wage increase for city workers, though you might have to pay more to park in a city spot. There's a $1.20 hourly increase for parking meters to pay for upgrades and repairs. The city also said that, based on feedback from residents, it would prioritize community safety, transportation improvements, housing investments and public facility maintenance in the proposed budget. In the budget overview, it notes the city is experiencing modest revenue growth after a strong pandemic recovery, with the city's unemployment rate at 3.3%, though elevated prices compared to pre-pandemic levels means the city's operations and construction costs are higher. Highlights of the budget, according to the overview, are: $3.2 million and 28 full-time equivalent employees in the operating budget and $44.0 million in the FY 2026 CIP for community safety, health, and well-being $524,740 and 1 full-time equivalent employee in the operating budget and $23.2 million in the FY 2026 CIP fortransportation safety and maintenance $7.8 million and 13 full-time equivalent employees in the operating budget and $115.2 million in the FY 2026 CIP for the maintenance and cleanliness of public facilities, public spaces, and thoroughfares $609,748 and 5 full-time equivalent employees in the operating budget and $8.5 million in the FY 2026 CIP for customer service and responsiveness $7.6 million in the FY 2026 CIP and broadening the purpose of the existing InclusiveDevelopment Opportunity Reserve to support investments in housing $3.4 million and 13 full-time equivalent employees in the operating budget and $45.2 million in the FY 2026 CIP for theexpansion of tourism and Norfolk’s visitor economy One-hour free parking in all downtown parking garages funded through a $1.20 increase tometer rates Enhance employee recruitment and retention through a phased implementation of a new step and grade compensation plan over the next six to 12 months based on the results of a market and compensation study; a general wage increase effective July 1 of 2.5% for all general, constitutional and nonsworn employees; step increases for sworn public safety employees and 911 telecommunicators of at least 2.5%, and up to 5% for certain key career progression steps; and a one-time retiree supplement of $625 for employees who retired before June 30, 2023 Norfolk's real estate assessments are projected to rise 5.7%, lower than last year's 6.4% increase, with personal property taxes projected to be slightly below last year also, with revenue growth for consumption-based taxes such as hotels, sales and admissions having moderated to 2%. Residents can comment on the proposed budget until April 18. Physical copies of the budget can be found at any city library, or you can find it below: Norfolk-FY-2026-Proposed-Budget-DocumentDownload Residents can comment on the proposed budget on the city's Citizen Cents page. There will be a public hearing on the proposed budget at 6 p.m. April 9 at Granby High School. Instructions on how to comment will be posted on the City Council's webpage. It is the only scheduled public hearing to be devoted solely for residents to provide budget input to councilmembers. ...read more read less