VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — On Wednesday, the Virginia Beach City Council held a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Residents and employees took to the podium to voice their concerns with the proposed budget.

“If I have to tell you that households are out of free cash flow and the life is already unaffordable for most Americans and affording just the basic necessitates many families going deeper into debt, then you are totally out of touch with economic reality,” one resident said during the hearing. 

The proposed operating budget is $2.8 billion, which represents a 4.74% increase over last year’s amended budget.

One woman took to the podium concerned for the retirees in districts 1, 3 and 7 and working families in the city. She said that if city council continues to create blanket raises, their income is not going up to match the proposed rates.

“It’s making it harder for some of them to live, some of them are having to come out of retirement, some are having to work second jobs and some are planning to leave Virginia Beach,” she said. “For the fees the more you keep asking for the less people can put into businesses.”

Another issue mentioned was trash pickup. An automation worker called on the city council for help to close the gap.

“We are arranging about 1200 cans to 1400 cans an operator,” he said. “That’s bad and it’s no one in the country moving that many units, but if we could get just a little help from the city council so we can come up with a plan to help cut these units down and be safe on the roads, especially according to VDOT standards.”

Another resident highlighted his concerns with the proposed boat tax. If the city enforces the new boat tax, he says it punishes boat ownership.

“A proposed boat tax is wrong and it’s gonna hit folks like me too hard, my boats over 20 years old. Maintaining it, fuel repairs cost me plenty already,” he said. “A $1,500 assessment — this new $1.50 per $100 boat tax means that is a $225 bill. That’s steep when I’m barely keeping it afloat financially.”

Community voices said tax increases are not the answer.

“What is necessary is tax cuts, not higher taxes,” one resident said. “The current recommended budget financially punish his families and rob them of hope.”

The next and final hearing will be on Tuesday, April 22 in the council chambers. If you wish to make comment, you have to register with the city clerks office by calling (757) 385-4304 prior to 5 p.m. on the day of the hearing.