Minutes 07/28/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 28, 2026 WHEREAS, effective July 1, 2026, the Virginia General Assembly has enacted its biennial budget and appropriation legislation, enrolled as Chapter 1 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I (the “Budget Bill”) for the biennium commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028; and WHEREAS, the Budget Bill made certain amendments to Section 58.1-605.1 of the Code of Virginia authorizing counties and cities to commence a referendum process regarding whether to levy an additional general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent (1%); and WHEREAS, if the referendum is approved by the voters, the revenue from said tax can be used solely for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools; and WHEREAS, the referendum must be held in accordance with Section 24.2-684 of the Code of Virginia and initiated by resolution of the City Council; and WHEREAS, on July 22, 2026 the Portsmouth School Board adopted a resolution urging City Council to adopt a resolution to initiate the referendum process, stating that “Portsmouth Public Schools has significant and documented capital improvement needs that have not been adequately addressed through existing local revenue sources alone” and that “capital improvement projects…are essential to meeting the needs of Portsmouth’s student population and addressing long-standing deferred maintenance”; WHEREAS, at the request of the School Board, the City Council hereby initiates a referendum for the purposes set forth herein. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia: 1. That it hereby requests that the Circuit Court for the City of Portsmouth order a referendum pursuant to Sections 24.2-682 and 58.1-605 of the Code of Virginia, as amended by the Budget Bill, on the issue of whether the City of Portsmouth may levy an additional general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed 1% solely for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools serving Portsmouth. 2. That if all such capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools serving the City of Portsmouth are financed by bonds or loans, the tax levied pursuant to this resolution, if approved by referendum, shall expire on the date by which such bonds or loans shall be repaid or on June 30, 2026, whichever is earlier. 3. That if any such capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools serving the City of Portsmouth are not financed by bonds or loans, the tax levied pursuant to this Resolution, if approved by referendum, shall expire on June 30, 2046. 4. That the City Attorney is authorized and directed to file an attested copy of this Resolution with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, along with such other documentation as may be necessary for consideration and approval by the Court and for processing and publication by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in accordance with Section 58.1-605.1 of the Code of Virginia. 5. That it proposes that the following language appear on the ballot for the referendum: “Shall the City of Portsmouth, Virginia be allowed to enact an additional local retail sales tax of up to one percent (1%) to provide revenues that shall be used solely for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools serving the City of Portsmouth? This additional tax would expire no later than June 30, 2046.” 6. That it requests that the referendum be held on November 3, 2026. 7. That this resolution shall take effect as of the date of adoption.”