Hampton City Council Special Session for FY2027 Budget – May 6, 2026
Hampton City Council Special Session for FY2027 Budget – May 6, 2026
On May 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM, the Hampton City Council held a special session to conduct the second public hearing on the City Manager's Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2027. The meeting featured proclamations for Municipal Clerks Week and Public Service Recognition Week. No council discussion or voting on the budget took place; final adoption is scheduled for May 13, 2026.
Proclamations
- Mayor Gray proclaimed May 3–9, 2026, as Municipal Clerks Week, honoring Clerk Katherine Glass and her staff.
- Mayor Gray proclaimed May 3–9, 2026, as Public Service Recognition Week, recognizing all city public service employees.
Public Comments & Testimony
Twelve speakers addressed the council during the public hearing. A significant portion of testimony focused on funding for the Hampton Public Defender's Office and services for the unhoused.
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Robin McCormick (Merrimack Shores resident): Expressed support for the proposed increase in the wastewater user fee, citing collapsing 80-year-old clay sewer pipes causing persistent sinkholes on Chesapeake and Catesby Jones Avenues. Urged the city to prioritize Merrimack Shores for pipe replacement.
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Travis Adams: Criticized the city's governing philosophy as prioritizing process over outcomes, describing Hampton as a "stagnant city economically and demographically." Cited flat inflation-adjusted incomes, a 10% population decline since 2000, and a rising median age. Urged council to challenge staff and avoid "doubling down on the same failed policies."
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Matthew Johnson (Public Defender's Office): Stressed that Hampton is the only city in Hampton Roads that does not provide a financial supplement to its Public Defender's Office. Requested a $250,000 supplement, noting the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office receives $3.6 million in city funds, leading to salary disparities of up to $50,000 for equivalent roles. Highlighted that smaller cities like Suffolk provide supplements.
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Doriah Meskin (Senior Trial Attorney, Public Defender's Office): Supported funding for the office. Described managing the behavioral health docket with insufficient staff (4 clients graduated last week; she has 137 open cases; the office handles 1,500 clients total). Noted the docket's success in transitioning participants from homelessness to stable employment.
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Zachary Hassan (Public Defender): Argued that public service should not come at the expense of the servants. Cited high turnover due to salary disparities with surrounding cities and private practice, making it difficult to retain experienced attorneys.
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Angel Williams (City of Hampton Shelter Coordinator): Applauded the allocation for tiny home concepts but emphasized the need for a continuum of care facility. Pointed out a disparity in homelessness spending: Hampton spends less than $150,000 compared to Newport News's $3 million budget for FY2027.
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Sharice Austin (Hampton resident, Help Inc. employee): Commended the tiny home initiative but stressed the need for year-round shelter access (currently only 100 winter cots) and continued investment in day support services, which serve over 1,000 individuals annually.
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Caroline Boddy (Hampton resident, Public Defender): Represents children in juvenile court. Expressed that trying minors as adults increases workloads and stressed the importance of competent representation. Argued that the city funding prosecution but not defense sends a harmful message.
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Matthew Finley (former Commonwealth's Attorney employee): Shared personal experience with the salary supplement disparity. Asserted the Public Defender's Office is the only organization protecting citizens' rights in court and its lack of funding is a "critical imperative."
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Delore Branch Mathis: Spoke emotionally about her brother, Swindale Branch, who died after a fall at a Newport News shelter. Urged the city to provide year-round shelter, stating "homeless people… are people too."
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Jeannie Belgrave (Hampton resident): Appreciated the budget's focus on public safety and infrastructure. Encouraged the city to connect youth and residents with emerging industries like digital media and technology to boost workforce development.
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Janice Johnson (Virginia Organizing): Congratulated the council on including tiny house development in the capital budget. Offered the organization's assistance and supported budget items related to family resilience.
Key Outcomes
- The second public hearing on the FY2027 City Manager's Recommended Budget was held and closed.
- No votes were taken. The tax, fee, appropriation ordinances, and resolutions introduced will be considered for final adoption and vote by City Council on May 13, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and uh welcome to Hampton City Council. This is a special session this evening to hold a uh second public hearing on the FY27 budget. So with that, I'm gonna ask the clerk to call a role. Councilman Bowman, present, Vice Mayor Brown, here, Councilwoman Campbell, present. Councilwoman Fairby, present. Councilwoman Harper, present, councilwoman Muggler, present, Mayor Craig. And will you read the call for the special meeting? This meeting was called to hold the second public hearing for the FY2027 city manager's recommended budget and to introduce all tax, fee, and appropriation ordinances and resolutions to be considered for vote by City Council on May 13, 2026. In addition, the mayor may read proclamations as identified on the agenda for this special meeting. Alright, and the invocation uh will be led by uh councilwoman Michelle Taylor Ferraby, and uh we'll have then the Pledge of Allegiance. So will you please stand and join us for both. Good evening. Let us pray. As we gather to serve our community, we recognize Nurses Appreciation Day and Teacher Appreciation Week, honoring those who heal, teach, and guide others each day. We also give thanks for our first responders, our police, firefighters, and emergency personnel whose courage and dedication help keep our community safe. During this month, we also acknowledge Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrating the diverse cultures and contributions that enrich our nation. We also observe mental health awareness month, reminding us to lead with compassion and care for one another. During this month of national military appreciation, we honor all who have served and we keep in our thoughts those who currently are serving overseas. May they be protected and may peace prevail. May this council be guided by wisdom, fairness, and respect. May our discussions be thoughtful, our decisions just and our purpose rooted in the common good. And may we always remember that our work here has a lasting impact on the lives of those who we represent. Let us move forward with integrity and a shared commitment to serve. May we all say amen. Amen. So I'm going to start with the municipal clerks. And whereas the office of the municipal clerk is the oldest amongst public servants, and whereas the office of the municipal clerk provides professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies, and agencies of government and other levels, and whereas the municipal clerks have pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality, rendering equal service to all. Serve as the information center on functions of local government and community, and whereas the municipal clerks provide a multitude of services to their community and local government, including recording and preserving records, providing information and services to citizens and codifying legislative activities of the governing body. And whereas the municipal clerk continually strive to improve the administration of the affairs of the Office of the Municipal Clerk through participation in education programs and seminars and workshops and the annual meetings of their professional organizations. And whereas the municipal clerks, Catherine Glass and her staff, deputy clerks Victoria Hatcher, Tammy Lee, and Joy Mouse provide outstanding service to our community and local government on a daily basis and constantly striving to protect the resources, provide transparency in all aspects of local government, and to preserve our heritage while planning our future. Now, therefore, our James A. Gray, Mayor on behalf of the City Council, the City of Hampton, Virginia, do hereby recognize the week of May 3rd through May 9, 2026 as municipal clerks week and in the city of Hampton, Virginia, and call upon the citizens to thank and extend appreciation to our city clerks for the outstanding service and exemplary dedication shown to our community. And witness whereof I've here into set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Hampton, Virginia to be affixed this 6th day of May, 2026. Signed James A. Gray Mayor. So please give a round of applause to our clerk. And I'd like to ask them to join us down front and receive the presentation. Yes. We're right here. Are you all beyond the law? Thank you very much. Okay, so the next proclamation is proclaiming May 3rd through 9th of May 3rd through the 9th, 2026, as public service recognition week in the City of Hampton, and whereas the City of Hampton is committed to serving our community, and whereas the City of Hampton encourages employees to exemplify the spirit of public service at all times, and whereas the public service recognition week is a time to educate citizens about the work public service employees do, and while it is vital to the community and how it improves the lives of those we serve, and whereas public service recognition week is also a time to recognize outstanding public service employees who are dedicated to their work to make our community stronger, and whereas public service employees provide essential services to the city of Hampton, and whereas they keep our communities safe, maintain our roads and neighborhoods, educate our children, and improve the quality of life, support our veterans, and provide assistance to those in need. And whereas it is important that citizens of Hampton see our public service employees come together in collaboration to achieve the common goal of being their best sales for those we serve. And whereas is it is it is the desire of the city of Hampton to thank and commend public service employees for their dedication to providing exceptional service to our citizens each and every day. Now, therefore, I, James A. Gray Jr. Mayor on behalf of the City Council of the City, Hampton, Virginia, do hereby proclaim the week of May 3rd through 9, 2026 as public service recognition week in the city of Hampton, Virginia, in recognition of our public service employees and the contributions they make to our city. And I furthermore call upon the citizens of Hampton to join me in expressing appreciation to our public service employees during this public service recognition week and throughout the year. And witness where of our hearing to set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Hampton, Virginia to be affixed the 6th day of May 2026. So if you will give a round of applause to all of our public service employees, I think we have uh cold Dennis and maybe a few other.
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