A REPORT TO OUR CITIZENS
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1
City Profile and Demographic Information
PAGE 2
Performance Accomplishments and Key Measures
PAGE 3
Fiscal Year 2016 Revenues and Expenses
PAGE 4
What’s Next?
DEMOGRAPHIC FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR INFORMATION 2015 2016 Population 89,586 90,426 Unemployment Rate 5.2% 4.7% Full-Time Equivalent City Employees 1321 1324 New and Expanding Businesses** 64(a) 139(b) Per Capita Income** $45,390(a) $47,533(b) Median Household Income** $66,822(a) $65,499(b)
**2nd Highest in Region **Most recent data available for New and Expanding Businesses, Per Capita and Median Household Income is Calendar Years 2015(a) and 2016(b).
PROFILE OF THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA The present City of Suffolk was formed January 1, 1974, from the consolidation of the City of Suffolk and the City of Nansemond (formerly Nansemond County). The City is Virginia’s largest city in land area and one of the top fifteen largest cities in land area in the nation with over 400 square miles of land mass and 30 square miles of waterways. The diverse landscape includes a mix of rural, suburban and urban development areas. The City is situated in the western portion of Hampton Roads, Virginia’s coastal plain area, and is bound by the James River to the north, the Cities of Chesapeake and Portsmouth to the east, the State of North Carolina to the south, and the Counties of Southampton and Isle of Wight to the west. The City of Suffolk is one of seven major cities that form the Norfolk-Virginia BeachNewport News metropolitan area with 1.6 million people. This region is also known as the Hampton Roads area. The
Fiscal Year 2016
City’s government is organized under the Council-Manager form of government. The governing body, the City Council, is composed of seven members and a Mayor who collectively develop policies for the administration of the City. The Mayor is elected at large and each Council Member is elected by borough in a citywide election every other year, with terms of office being four years. The City Council appoints a City Manager to act as administrative head of the City. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of City Council and carries out the City Council’s policies and directs business procedures. The City Manager also appoints the directors of all departments. As a full service city, Suffolk provides a broad range of municipal services authorized by statute or charter. These services include education, public safety, highways and streets, parks and recreations, sanitation, health and social services, public improvements, planning and zoning, public utilities, storm water management and general administrative.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
PERFORMANCE REPORT ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND KEY MEASURES FISCAL YEAR 2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Achieved a bond rating upgrade on the City’s general obligation bonds to AAA by Fitch Ratings. • Achieved a current 3-year combined real estate and personal property tax collection rate of 99.61%. • Surpassed previous annual visitor center attendance by 6%. • Implemented numerous programs including the Summer Reading Program, Youth and Family Services Storytimes, Baby and Me, Creation Exploration, Young Scientists, and the BARKS Program. • Hosted the Second Annual Hampton Roads LogistiXGames in Suffolk. • Provided Immunization services to 686 citizens and maternity care and pregnancy testing to 90 indigent women who are in need of obstetrical care. • Held the 4th Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Citizens Academy for the citizens of Suffolk and CSI Camp for children ages 12-15. • Completed first Senior Citizens Police Academy and utilized several participants as judges for our National Night Out neighborhoods. • Established a quiet zone for the Suffolk Meadows neighborhood area in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration. • Completed construction of the new Whaleyville Community Center. • Implemented the Cityworks work order system to track and respond to departmental requests for services. • Received MARCOM Gold Award in Government Reporting Category for the 2016 City Council Vision for Suffolk Booklet as well as a MARCOM Gold Award for the 2016 What is a City Budget Video in the White Board Category.
What would you like to see reported on this page? Please let us know by contacting the City’s Finance Department at FinanceEmail@suffolkva.us or 757-514-7500. Additional information is available at the City’s website, www.suffolkva.us.
KEY MEASURES 2014 2015 Actual
Community Indicators
2016 Projected
Public Safety Average Police response times to priority 1 calls (in minutes) Number of Animal Adoptions
5:42 894
5:59 881
5:55 828
Average fire response times (in minutes) 6:59 6:54 Number of fire/safety inspections 841 866 General Government Administration Unassigned General Fund Balance Level at/above 12% per city policy 14.50% 14.30% Number of Participants in Tax Relief Programs (Elderly/Disabled, Veterans) 1,908 1,974
6:54 875
98.10% Judicial Administration Number of victims and witnesses assisted by Commonwealth Atty's office 5,305 Public Works
14.90% 1,940
98%
Real Estate Tax Collection Rate
98%
4,636
4,775
Tons of refuse collected annually
36,542
36,568
37,500
Tons of recycled refuse collected
5,713 Health and Welfare
5,478
5,645
Percent of Children with primary health care provider within two months of enrollment Education
100%
14,476
Student Enrollment
100%
14,365
86.40% Transportation
High School Graduation Rate Ridership
100%
14,420
86.20%
65,715 Parks, Recreational and Cultural
87%
78,984
92,300
327,446 315,084 Community Development Percent of Inspections performed within 2 78% 99% 79% business days or less 334 375 2014 New Residential Building Permits Economic Development - Amount of Capital comparison Investment (in millions) 185 2013 116 2014 to projected Library Circulation
Community Outreach Commonwealth Atty number of community Commonwealth Attorney number of 71 125 community outreach programs attended outreach programs attended Police Emergency 911 - Citizen surveys Fire Safety House Presentations 37 conducted 240 Fire Safety House Presentations 35 Emergency Management Management -- number number of of Emergency training exercises 7 3 training exercises conducted conducted Health Department, number of males Health Department, number of males participating in pregnancy participating in pregnancy 232 planning/prevention programs
planning/prevention programs
271
125 224 37
Exceeded 136
37
Met Met
7
3 Exceeded
271
Exceeded
284
320,000
80% 379 2015 80 Projected
128 138
38
240 39
73
274
287
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Other Local Taxes Permits, Fees & Regulatory Licenses Fines & Forfeitures Revenue from Use of Money & Property Charges for Services Miscellaneous State Revenue Federal Revenue Transfers In Total Revenues
39.7 1.1 1.0 0.6 3.6 1.3 19.8 5.0 3.3 186.0
42.5 1.2 0.8 0.7 3.6 1.8 19.8 5.2 2.3 194.6
THE CITY’S FINANCES REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES GENERAL FUND REVENUE BY SOURCE (IN MILLIONS) General Fund Revenue by Source (in Millions) Revenue by Source: Real Estate & Personal Property Taxes Other Local Taxes Permits, Fees & Regulatory Licenses Fines & Forfeitures Revenue from Use of Money & Property Charges for Services Miscellaneous State Revenue Federal Revenue Transfers In Total Revenues
FY Ending 06/30/15 110.6 39.7 1.1 1.0 0.6 3.6 1.3 19.8 5.0 3.3 186.0
FY Ending 06/30/2016 116.7 42.5 1.2 0.8 0.7 3.6 1.8 19.8 5.2 2.3 194.6
Other Local Taxes $42.5 - 22%
Permits, Fees & Regulatory Licenses General Fund Expenditures by Source (in Millions) $1.2 - 1% Fines &
Other Local Taxes $42.5 - 22%
General Fund Expenditures by Source (in Millions) Expenditure by Function: General Government Administration Judicial Administration Public Safety Public Works Health & Welfare Education Parks, Recreation & Cultural Community Development Real Estate & Nondepartmental Personal Property Transfers Out - Debt Taxes Transfers Out - Other $116.7 - 60% Total Expenditures
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE BY FUNCTION (IN MILLIONS) Expenditure by Function: General Government Administration Judicial Administration Public Safety Public Works Health & Welfare Education Parks, Recreation & Cultural Community Development Nondepartmental Transfers Out - Debt Transfers Out Other& Real- Estate Total Expenditures Personal Property
Nondepartmental Forfeitures $0.5 - 0% Revenue from Use of FY Ending 06/30/15 $0.8 - 0% FY Ending 06/30/2016 Community Money & Property 14.8 14.8 Development $0.7 $7.3 - 4% 7.6 7.7- 0% Parks, Recreation & 49 50.0 Cultural Charges for Services 0.9 0.9 $9.7 - 5% $3.6 - 2% 12.8 12.2 51.1 53.4 Miscellaneous 9 9.7- 1% $1.8 8.6 7.3 1.8 0.5 26.6 26.0Revenue State 5.6 6.0 - 10% Education $19.8 $53.4 - 28% Federal Revenue 187.8 188.5 $5.2 - 3% Transfers In $2.3 - 1%
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL FUND REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES BY FUND (IN MILLIONS) EXCLUDING TRANSFERS AND DEBT PROCEEDS Taxes $116.7 - 60%
Other Fund Revenues by Source (in Millions) Nondepartmental Transfers Out - Debt $0.5 - 0% $26.0 - 14% Revenue by Fund: FY Ending 06/30/15 Community Capital Projects 4.3 Development Road Maintenance 23.2 $7.3 - 4% Parks, Debt Service 0.03 Recreation & Nonmajor Funds 5.6 Cultural Total Revenues 33.13 $9.7 - 5% Expenditure by Fund: Capital Outlay Public Works Debt & Assoc Costs Nonmajor Funds TotalExpenditures
FY Ending 06/30/15 32.5 21.3 27.3 4.5 85.6
Permits, Fees & Regulatory Licenses $1.2 - 1% Fines &
Forfeitures $0.8 - 0%
FY Ending 06/30/15 14.8 7.6 49 0.9 12.8 51.1 9 8.6 1.8 26.6 5.6 187.8
Transfers Out - Debt $26.0 - 14%
Revenue from Use of Money & Property $0.7 - 0% FY Ending 06/30/2016 14.8for Services Charges $3.6 7.7 - 2% 50.0 Miscellaneous 0.9 $1.8 - 1% 12.2 53.4 9.7 State Revenue 7.3 $19.8 - 10% 0.5 Federal Revenue 26.0 $5.2 - 3% Transfers In 6.0 $2.3 - 1%188.5
Transfers Out - Other $6.0 - 3% General Government Administration Administration $14.8 - 8%
Judicial Administration $7.7 - 4%
Public Safety $50.0 - 27%
Health & Welfare $12.2 - 6%
Public Works $0.9 - 1%
Transfers Out - Other $6.0 06/30/2016 - 3% General Government FY Ending 9.0Administration 24.5 $14.8 - 8% 0.0 4.5 38.0 Judicial Administration FY Ending 06/30/2016 $7.7 - 4% 28.9 22.0 27.8 4.0 82.7
The City’s financial statements are audited annually by an independent auditor. This audit resulted in a clean audit opinion for Fiscal Year 2016. Complete financial information can be found on our website at www.suffolkva.us.
Public Safety $50.0 - 27%
Education $53.4 - 28%
Health & Welfare $12.2 - 6%
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Public Works $0.9 - 1%
Do you like this report? What other information would you like to see contained in this report? Please let us know by contacting the Finance Department at FinanceEmail@ suffolkva.us or 757-514-7500.
Please see the City’s website at www.suffolkva. us for additional information, including the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the City Profile and Statistical Digest. PAGE 3
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUFFOLK
Suffolk is one of the fastest growing Cities in Hampton Roads and is well positioned for continued growth and prosperity. With several positive indicators of growth in 2016, Suffolk continues to attract new business and investment, create jobs, and provide an invigorating economic climate for expansion. I am very excited about the coming successes of 2017 and beyond! ~ Patrick Roberts, City Manager
UPCOMING CAPITAL PROJECTS
The City has adopted a ten year Capital Improvement plan to cover the needed improvements throughout the City. Some of these Improvements include: • New Elementary School • New Middle School • Bennetts Creek Recreation Center • Holland Road Improvements
It’s a good time to be in Suffolk • • • •
Economic Development efforts brought 1,868 new jobs to Suffolk. New and existing businesses have invested $189 million in creating or expanding business in Suffolk. The Real Estate tax rate of $1.07 per $100 of assessed value is the 2nd lowest in the region. School Enrollment has increased by 7% over the last 10 years.
WHAT’S NEXT?
THE CITY’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND MOVING FORWARD
The City is committed to being responsible stewards of our taxpayer dollars and will continue to address the strategic needs and priorities of the City through the implementation of cost reduction strategies. A good measure of the City’s ability to cope with unexpected financial challenges or emergencies is the ratio of unassigned General Fund balance as a percentage of the budgeted governmental funds expenditures. The target for this ratio is 12%. The City has exceeded this target by nearly 3% for FY2016. The Economy of Suffolk is continuing to grow as evidenced by the following trends: • Unemployment is 4.7%, down from 5.1% in the previous year. • Median Home sales price is $246,800, down only 1.7% from last year. • Median Household Income is $65,499, down less than 2% from last year. As the City continues to attract residents and businesses alike to live, work and play within its boundaries, we are challenged with the impacts of the 12 miles of railroad tracks which traverse throughout the community. Working with lawmakers to identity and implement funding solutions to address these impacts will continue to be a priority for City leaders. The City Council has adopted the following goals to clarify the direction of the City over the next 1-5 years: 1. Promote Strong Financial Management and Fiscal Accountability. 2. Provide Effective and Efficient Programs and Services that are Accountable and Customer Focused. 3. Promote a Safe, Healthy, and Diverse Community in which to Live, Work, Learn, and Play. 4. Diversify and Enhance the Local Economy. 5. Provide Safe and Quality Transportation Options. 6. Promote Citizen Engagement.
ABOUT CITIZEN CENTRIC REPORTING
The Association of Government Accountants (AGA) developed guidance on producing Citizen Centric Reporting as a method to demonstrate accountability to residents and answer the question, “Are we better off today than we were last year?” Additional details can be found at the AGA Website: www.agacgfm. org/citizen/
SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL
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