NORFOLK — City Council has approved the city’s $1.3 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2020.
Officials said the budget does not include a tax increase, but includes a $2 per month increase to the waste management fee to allow the city to continue its recycling program.
The storm water fee for non-residential customers will increase to match the residential rate, allowing the city to expedite its investments in storm water infrastructure.
According to the approved budget, Norfolk Public Schools will receive an additional $3 million in local operating support, matching the Approved School Board Budget.
Additionally, the budget provides funding for initiatives including:
- Support for City Council priorities – Diversity and Inclusion, Climate Change, and Lifelong Learning.
- Funds to develop a multi-modal transportation master plan.
- Continued investment in the St. Paul’s Area transformation; including $83 million over five years for capital investments.
- Increased staffing for the Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center.
- Funds for regional public safety initiatives to advance preparation and response to critical incidents.
- Funds to support expanding Park Ranger services and landscape beautification efforts citywide.
- A raise for city employees in January 2020 and no increase to employee health care premiums.
- $3.9 million to improve curb, gutter, and sidewalks citywide.
- Investments in infrastructure improvements including replacing 94-year-old Fire Station 11, and raising the downtown flood wall to align with new FEMA requirements.
Residents’ participation in the public budget hearing last month, as well as feedback through interactive budget challenges and the city’s online budget balancing tool helped inform deliberations on the budget, city officials said.
