Minutes 07/28/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 28, 2026 Discussion:  The ordinance included with the agenda: (1) transfers $2,522,484 from the FY 2027 Capital Improvement Fund Budget to the City’s General Fund Budget for transfer to the Schools (thereby increasing the Local Share to $92,434,122 to address the School Board’s requested increase) and (2) approves the FY 2027 Operating Budget for the Portsmouth Public School System in the total amount of $304,612,975.  An ordinance approving the FY 2027 PPS Operating Budget must be adopted no st later than August 1. If it’s desired by City Council, the ordinance presented with the agenda can be modified prior to adoption. Financial Impact:  The ordinance included with the agenda would approve the FY 2027 PPS Operating Budget and transfer $2,522,484 from the FY 2027 Capital Improvement Fund Budget to the General Fund Budget to increase the City’s Local Share from $89,911,638 to $92,434,122. Recommended Action:  Adoption of an ordinance to approve the FY 2027 PPS Operating Budget, in a form acceptable to City Council. Strategic Pillar #5: Education, Workforce & Partnerships for the Future. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Local Share will be provided to PPS in monthly installments. 1. Sergio Neal, 2102 Nashville Avenue, spoke in support of this item. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Hugel, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE (1) TRANSFERRING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,522,484 FROM THE FY 2027 RISK MANAGEMENT – SCHOOLS REVENUES FUND BUDGET TO THE FY 2027 GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR INCLUSION IN THE LOCAL SHARE AUTHORIZED BY THIS ORDINANCE AND (2) APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF $304,612,975 AND APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT SAID BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027. ” Ayes: Bryant, Hugel, Moody, Thomas, Tillage, Glover Nays: None 26 - 180 - Adoption of a resolution of the City Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia initiating a referendum pursuant to Section 58.1-605.1 of the Code of Virginia, as amended by the 2026 Biennial Budget of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to authorize imposition of an additional local general retail sales tax not to exceed 1%, the proceeds of which would be used to provide revenue solely for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools serving the City of Portsmouth. Background:  The Virginia General Assembly enacted its biennial budget, effective July 1, 2026. Through the adopted budget bill, the General Assembly amended Section 58.1-605.1 of the City Code to authorize cities to hold a referendum on whether to allow adoption of a 1% sales tax, with the revenues to be used for the sole purpose of funding capital projects for new construction or major renovation of schools serving the city.  On July 22, 2026 the Portsmouth School Board adopted a resolution urging City Council to adopt the necessary ordinance to initiate a referendum to be held on November 3, 2026.