Norfolk VA FY 2014 Approved Budget in Brief

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City of Norfolk

Guiding Principles Throughout the budget development process, we employed the following principles to achieve results: 

Reinvested existing resources to fund the city’s highest priorities



Engaged employees and residents in the budget development process



Identified further opportunities for operating efficiencies through internal and external collaboration



Eliminated redundant processes and trimmed excess from the budget



Increased employee productivity throughout the organization



Continued to focus on cost containment measures

City of Norfolk

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Groundwork for a Well-Managed Government

Building the Future for a Better Norfolk

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City of Norfolk

FY 2014 Budget Highlights 

Provides a two percent salary increase for city employees, effective July 1, 2013.



Increases Real Estate Tax Rate by four-cents from $1.11 to $1.15 and dedicates two-cents to the new School Construction, Technology, and Infrastructure (CTI) Program.



Fully funds Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) FY 2014 request.



Continues to realign, reallocate, and refocus resources in support of the six priority areas.



Accelerates the design and construction of two fire stations.



Implements a city-administered healthcare plan for the city, NPS, and Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (Healthcare Consortium). The transition to a city-administered model is projected to save the Healthcare Consortium approximately $5 million.



Decentralizes central Storehouse operations.



Consolidates the Department of Communications and Public Information with the Department of Information Technology to form the new Department of Communications and Technology to reduce operating redundancies.



Continues IMPACT to improve customer service.



Continues implementation of “Smart Processing” and increases Planning fees to support needed technology improvements.



Increases Ambulance fees to support the cost increase for time critical emergency response and effective patient care and increases Police Record Service fees for fingerprinting, accident reports, incident reports and criminal records to help offset the expenses associated with providing these services.

City of Norfolk

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City of Norfolk’s Priorities The priority setting process:

While work continues on all six priorities, this year’s Approved Budget focuses on two priority areas; Lifelong Learning, and Economic Vitality and Workforce Development The city’s six defined priorities are: 

Accessibility, Mobility and Connectivity



Economic Vitality and Workforce Development



Environmental Sustainability



Lifelong Learning



Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Communities



Well-Managed Government

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City of Norfolk

Lifelong Learning Lifelong Learning is one of two priority areas the city is focusing on during the upcoming fiscal year.

Norfolk Public Schools - See pages 20-23 Public Safety Internship Program 

The Police Department in partnership with Norfolk State University will work to attract and retain ten qualified college graduates as police recruit candidates. Eligible candidates will receive a $10,000 stipend over a three-year period, after completion of the Academy.



Norfolk Fire-Rescue will identify two qualified Norfolk youths who have an interest in becoming a Norfolk Firefighter. Interns will participate in the Academy and upon completion, be offered a full-time Firefighter position.



The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EOC) is partnering with Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College to provide an internship opportunity for one student in emergency management and disaster planning.

City of Norfolk

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Lifelong Learning Urban Youth Summer Academy Regent University is leading a collaborative effort with Southside residents to provide expanded educational opportunities for youth. The ‘Urban Youth Summer Academy’ is a three week enrichment program for rising sixth graders to assist with the transition to middle school.

Norfolk Emerging Leaders (NEL) Program Support continues for the NEL Program which provides more than 200 high school and college students with the opportunity to work side-byside with experienced municipal employees.

Norfolk Youth Leadership Program The Approved Budget continues the partnership established last year with NPS to conduct a three day, two night camp with the goal of energizing students with a passion for leadership in their school and in their community.

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City of Norfolk

Economic Vitality and Workforce Development The second priority area of focus in the Approved FY 2014 Budget is Economic Vitality and Workforce Development. The priority of Economic Vitality and Workforce Development focuses attention and resources on a growing and diversified economy that enhances the quality of life for citizens through a wide range of housing, shopping, educational, cultural, business, and employment opportunities. Norfolk is unique with nearly 37 percent of all property in the city identified as tax exempt (e.g., Naval Base, the Port, universities). To grow the local economy, we are raising the bar on collaboration and customer service.

Smart Processing  Collaborative process between the Department of Development, the Department of Planning and Community Development, and the reconfigured Department of Communications and Technology

.



Includes $500,000 to promote exceptional customer service by ensuring businesses and homeowners have a seamless experience while going through the city’s development process



The city will create a ‘one-stop’ service center for development related permits to help improve processing times, eliminate redundancy and establish an image of certainty and efficiency in the community

City of Norfolk

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Economic Vitality and Workforce Development Concierge Service Program The goal of creating a concierge service program is to: 

Provide customized customer care service to foster a business friendly environment



Focus on collaboration to grow locally-owned businesses



Expand emphasis to support businesses in our neighborhood business districts



Provide exceptional customer service in business development, permitting, and business retention

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City of Norfolk

All Priorities are Important Accessibility, Mobility, and Connectivity FY 2014 highlights:  Enhances transportation for Norfolk residents, businesses and visitors  Intercity Passenger Rail Facility at Harbor Park is scheduled for completion in October 2013 

Invests in alternative transportation methods such as bicycling

 Improves

operating infrastructure updates

efficiencies

through

technology

Environmental Sustainability FY 2014 highlights:  Continues to address citywide flooding issues by working collaboratively with the Army Corps of Engineers and the city’s congressional delegation Well-Managed Government FY 2014 highlights:  Takes a conservative approach to staffing with 30 fewer permanent positions in the General Fund  Supports the Employer of Choice initiative by continuing

tuition reimbursement, employer and supervisor training opportunities, volunteer hours at Norfolk Public Schools, the Master Police and Firefighter programs, and by providing a two percent General Wage Increase beginning July 2013.

Safe, Healthy, and Inclusive Communities FY 2014 highlights:  Supports the Hampton Roads Community Foundation partnership with the Park Place neighborhood to create a non-profit organization to continue the work begun under the Greater Park Place Visioning and Engagement Process

City of Norfolk

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Efficiency Initiatives The city has employed efficiency initiatives over the last three years as an ongoing effort to reduce operating costs and the duplication of services. The city participated in the Hampton Roads Shared Services Project, a joint public-private effort of Fortune 500 businesses and the cities of Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. The Hampton Roads Shared Services Project identified the following opportunities: 

Sign Shop Services - Manufacturing standard traffic control signs for the three cities will increase efficiency of sign installation and repair and save Norfolk approximately $15,000 a year.



Elevator Inspections - Analyzing the potential to contract out elevator inspections for public and private buildings through third party inspections will standardize inspections.



Permitting Services - Standardizing permitting processes beginning with the use of common forms for various building permit applications. Long-rang goal is to provide online permitting through a shared internet portal.

Other service sharing initiatives in FY 2014 include: Grass Cutting on Public Property - The city and Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority are working to establish joint grass cutting agreements.

Decentralization of Central Operations - The Approved Budget decentralizes the purchasing of goods for departments and moves towards a just-in-time purchasing method. Departments will buy goods when they need them, instead of buying goods in advance to keep them in stock. This initiative will significantly reduce the cost of stocking items and the overhead for inventory. The $1.75 million saved from this initiative has been transferred to Norfolk Public Schools.

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City of Norfolk

Structural Balance What does it mean to have a structurally balanced budget? Simply said, structural balance exists when ongoing expenses are tied to recurring revenue sources. Currently, the City of Norfolk’s budget is not structurally balanced. The city continues to rely on carryforwards (one-time funds from a previous fiscal year) to balance the budget. Healthcare, retirement, inflation, and energy costs significantly impact the Approved FY 2014 Budget and will continue to impact the city in future years. Our continued dependence on carryforwards and the desire to maintain the current service levels in the long-term requires the city, like other Hampton Roads communities to increase revenues.

We believe structural balance can be achieved within the next five years. To do this, we need to implement a combination of revenue, expenditure, and economic growth actions. We must be practical in our spending, make ongoing and sustainable reductions, find new cost efficient ways of providing services, and foster an environment where businesses can grow and prosper.

General Fund Approved Budget (*amount includes Nauticus/Cruise) Budget excluding Carryforward

Millions $840

$6.9

$820

Carryforward (city)

$0.5 $19.6

$8.7

$800

$5.8 $780

$3.1

$760 $740 $720

$820.4

$824.4

$787.1

$763.6

2007

2008

2009

$17.7

$19.3

2010

$779.8

$773.3

$780.5

2011

2012*

2013*

Fiscal Year

$797.9

2014*

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City of Norfolk

Real Estate Picture Since the downturn in the economy, cities have taken different approaches to address revenue loss and structural imbalances in their budgets.

Local Real Estate Tax Increases Since FY 2010 $0.25

(fiscal year adopted in parenthesis)

20 cents

$0.20 $0.15

12 cents

$0.10 $0.05

6 cents

4 cents

3 cents

3 cents

$0.00

Norfolk (2014)

6 cents*

12 cents

6 cents 6 cents

Portsmouth Virginia Beach* Suffolk Newport News (2010, 2012) (2013) (2012, 2014) (2014)

Hampton (2014)

* Virginia Beach adopted a 2¢ decrease in FY 2014, bringing the net increase since FY 2010 to four cents.

Approved Real Estate Tax Increases Prior to FY 2014 

Portsmouth



Suffolk



Virginia Beach

Approved FY 2014 Real Estate Tax Increases 

Hampton



Newport News



Norfolk



Suffolk

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City of Norfolk

Real Estate Picture Real estate tax revenue is the largest locally-generated revenue source estimated at $205.4 million in FY 2014, or 25 percent of the city’s General Fund revenue. In the past three years, overall real estate assessments have declined, and as a result, the city has lost about $15 million in real estate tax revenue.

The last time the city raised the real estate tax rate was in FY 1996, when the tax rate went from $1.38 to $1.40. Since that time, as real estate assessments soared from 2005 to its peak in 2010, the city reduced the tax rate by 29 cents over a three year period, from $1.40 to $1.11.

Residential Assessments (including condominiums) are 66 percent of overall assessments.

Estimated potential revenue loss for only residential over the last four years prior to the FY 2014 tax increase = $17.9 million

Norfolk Overall Real Estate Assessments and Tax Rate FY 2014 assessments (budgeted) and FY 2014 tax rate (approved 4¢ increase) 24.9%

$1.40

$1.38

16.8%

$1.35 7.8%

17.5%

$ 1.3 5 10.5%

6.7% 3.8% 2.2% 0.5%

1.0% 0.8%

2.2%

3.5% 3.2% 4.0%

4.7%

5.9%

7.5%

$ 1.2 7

5.8% 2.6% 0.28%

-0.3%

-3.1% -3.5%

$1.11

-2.1%

$1.15

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Fiscal Year

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City of Norfolk

Real Estate Picture 

The Approved FY 2014 Budget increases the real estate property tax by four cents from $1.11 per $100, to $1.15 per $100 of assessed valuation



Two-cents of the tax increase is solely dedicated to Norfolk Public Schools for the Construction, Technology and Infrastructure Program (page 21, 23)

What does the real estate increase mean for the average homeowner?

Without the tax increase  FY 2013 - tax bill at $1.11 rate = $2,257.58 

FY 2014 - tax bill at $1.11 rate = $2,240.46



Without the approved increase in real estate taxes, the average homeowner would pay $17 less in FY 2014

With the approved four-cent tax increase  The rate increases from $1.11 to $1.15 

Residential real estate values are projected to decline again in FY 2014



The tax bill will only increase by a little over $5.00 a month or $64.00 a year in FY 2014



The homeowner’s tax bill in FY 2014 is at least $250 less than four years ago

Note: FY 2014 average residential value was based on the preliminary July 1, 2013 Land Book, published after the FY 2014 budget was adopted.

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City of Norfolk

Approved FY 2013 General Fund Budget versus the Approved FY 2014 General Fund Budget  Approved FY 2014 General Fund budget is $817.5 million  Total General Fund increase is $17.7 million or 2.2 percent from the Approved FY 2013 Budget  The $17.7 million increase is made up of the following:  55.9 percent or $9.9 million is for Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) support  20.9 percent or $3.7 million is to support a two percent General Wage Increase Approved effective July 1, 2013  16.4 percent or $2.9 million is for Healthcare and Retirement  4.0 percent or $700,000 is a transfer to Capital  2.8 percent or $500,000 is all other expenditure items

Approved FY 2013 Budget (millions)

FY 2014 Budget (millions)

FY 2014 = $817.5 Norfolk Public Schools $9.9 Salary Increase $3.7

Transfer to Capital $0.7

Healthcare Retirement $2.9

FY 2013 Expenditure

FY 2013 Expenditure

$799.8

$799.8

Total Budget Growth $17.7 All Other $0.5

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City of Norfolk

FY 2014 Approved Budget Overview Fund

Approved Budget

Special Revenue Funds Internal Service Fund Total Operating Healthcare Fund Total Operating with Healthcare Fund Annual Capital Improvement Plan Total Operating and Capital Annual Plan for HUD Block Grants

$817,500,799 $130,992,500 $60,991,910 $13,655,900 $1,023,141,109 $57,931,973 $1,081,073,082 $129,290,582 $1,210,363,664 $7,600,000

Total Financial Plan

$1,217,963,664

General Fund Enterprise Funds

General Fund Expenditures—How Each Dollar is Used Norfolk Public Schools 38.2¢

Courts, Sheriff Debt Public Safety Payments and Jail 13.0¢ 6.0¢ 9.3¢

Outside Agencies and Central Appropriations 8.4¢

Health and Human Services 6.2¢

General Public Works Government 7.4¢ 5.3¢

Parks, Recreation, Cultural and Community Development 6.3¢

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City of Norfolk

Operating Budget at a Glance FY 2014 General Fund Revenues by Source

$817,500,799 Other Sources and Transfers In 4.8%

Federal Aid 0.8%

Categorical Aid State 29.2%

Shared Expenses State 2.5% Non-Categorical Aid - State 3.9% Recovered Costs 1.3% Miscellaneous Revenue 1.2%

General Property Taxes 31.3%

Other Local Taxes 18.9%

Charges for Services 4.7%

Permits and Fees and Fines and Use of Money Forfeitures 0.4% and Property 0.9%

City of Norfolk

Page 19

Operating Budget at a Glance FY 2014 General Fund Expenditures by Area

$817,500,799 Executive 0.5% Legislative 0.6%

Law 0.5%

Education (Norfolk Public Schools) 38.2%

Constitutional Officers 0.7% Judicial 6.0% Elections 0.1% General Management 5.0%

Non Departmental Appropriations 8.4%

Community Development 1.1%

Parks, Recreation and Cultural 5.2% Public Health and Assistance 6.2%

Debt Service Public 9.3% Works 5.3%

Public Safety 13.0%

Over 1/3 of the city’s Approved FY 2014 Budget is dedicated to Norfolk Public Schools

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City of Norfolk

Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) An excellent educational system is an asset to any community.

The city continues to work with NPS as they develop short and long-range plans to improve student achievement for all students.

The Approved FY 2014 Operating Budget for NPS is $312.0 million. Even during difficult times city support continues to increase. Revenue from the city will increase by $8.0 million or 7.5 percent with $3.3 million of the increase dedicated to the school Construction, Technology, and Infrastructure program.

Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) Approved FY 2014 Budget Revenues

Approved Budget

Revenue from the City

$111,854,400

Revenue from the Commonwealth

$180,303,062

Revenue from Federal Funds

$4,545,721

Revenue from Other Funds

$4,177,226

Carryforwards

$7,741,873

Subtotal Operating Funds Construction, Technology and Infrastructure (CTI)

$308,622,282 $3,335,600

Total Local Support with CTI

$115,190,000

Subtotal Operating and CTI

$311,957,882

Grant Revenues and Child Nutrition Funds Total Funds Additional city services contributed to NPS (includes debt service, school resource officers, school crossing guards, school nurses, grounds and facility maintenance, but does not include school construction) Total NPS Support

$49,371,032 $361,328,914

$16,760,267

$378,089,181

City of Norfolk

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School Construction, Technology, and Infrastructure (CTI) Program

All revenue from two-cents of the real estate tax increase dedicated to the CTI lockbox

Lockbox has the potential to grow over time as real estate assessments increase

Page 22

City of Norfolk

Approved Strategies to Close NPS Budget Gap The Superintendent’s Proposed Budget did not request additional funding from the city. However, the School Board did, resulting in a $7.3 million request. The city’s Proposed Budget addressed this request, in part, through an additional $3.0 million for the Operating Fund. The City Council approved $4.3 million in additional adjustments to close the gap. The approved strategies to close the gap are outlined below: Schools gap/request for the city

($7,259,673)

FY 2014 City Proposed Budget Actions Additional city support (excluding CTI) Remaining Gap

$3,000,000 ($4,259,673)

City Council Amendments Healthcare Expenditure Savings

$250,000

Real Estate Tax Increase One-Cent

$1,667,800

NPS Carryforwards - Indentified by NPS

$2,341,873

Total City Council Amendments

$4,259,673

Remaining Gap

$0

To move towards a structurally balanced budget, NPS can analyze the following items during the upcoming year:  Align healthcare costs to be more like the city’s  Realign staff for projected enrollment decline  Phase in personnel based on the ability to fill positions (similar

to current city practice)  Review existing contracts, close out old accounts for projects that are no longer necessary, and implement spending controls (similar to current city practice)  Close underutilized schools  Share services with the city for communications, fleet, printing, and purchasing

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City of Norfolk

Norfolk Public Schools Capital Over the past decade, the city provided support to construct Norview High, Blair Middle, Coleman Place Elementary, and Crossroads K-8.

School construction remains a priority for the city. The city made a commitment to build five schools. The Approved FY 2013 Budget included funds to construct the second and third schools and begin designing the fourth and fifth school in FY 2016.

Two-cents of the four-cent real estate tax increase will be dedicated to schools to fund the CTI program, which will allow the city to fund the design and construction of the next four schools at a faster rate than previously planned. With the help of the CTI, the Approved Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan includes $121.5 million in support of school capital projects.

Approved FY 2014 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) (in millions)* Project Crossroads Open Fall 2012 Campostella Broad Creek Area

Prior Funds

FY 2014

FY 2015

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

$29.4

Five-Year Plan Total

Total

-

$29.4

$4.7

$12.3

$5.0

$17.3

$22.0

$4.7

$12.3

$5.0

$17.3

$22.0

Larchmont

$2.2

$14.8

$5.0

$22.0

$22.0

Oceanview Subtotal

$14.8 $29.6

$5.0 $10.0

$22.0 $78.6

$22.0 $117.5

$2.0

$2.0

$13.0

$13.0

$1.0

$1.0

$28.7

$28.7

$0.3

$0.3

$121.5

$160.4

$24.6

$10.0

$2.2 $4.4

Major Maintenance

$3.0

$3.0

$3.0

School Athletic Support Buildings

$1.0

Camp Allen Elementary (20%-city, 80% -Federal)

$4.0

$38.9

New Governor's School Grand Total

$17.0

$7.7

$0.3 $38.9

$32.6

*amounts may not sum due to rounding

$30.3

$15.1

$31.6

$12.0

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City of Norfolk

Capital Budget at a Glance Similar to the operating budget, both internal and external challenges impact the city’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP functions like a credit card. We can buy things today with the promise to repay the lender in the future. While the initial payment may be low to finance the cost of CIP projects, as borrowing increases, the payments continue to grow. As depicted below, CIP authorization has decreased overall, however we are at or above our debt limits every year. This is due, in part, to the large number of projects authorized in prior years.

The city’s General Fund CIP is guided by two measures of affordability; one measure is tied to the value of revenue producing real property with the second measure being a proportionate share of the General Fund budget. These measures, or self-imposed debt limits, are as follows:  

Debt Service as a percent of the General Fund budget (not-to-exceed 10 percent) Net debt as a percent of taxable real estate (not-to-exceed 3.5 percent)

While the Approved FY 2014 CIP is within the two measures of affordability, the city will be challenged to stay within these measures as we move forward in the next five years.

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City of Norfolk

Capital Budget at a Glance The underlying theme of this CIP is taking care of what we have. The FY 2014 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) fully funds 100 percent of the planned infrastructure and maintenance projects. In previous years, approved funding has been as low as 58 percent of planned amounts.

By funding projects such as the implementation of the Recreation, Parks and Open Space Master Plan, improvement of neighborhood streets, and the development of Bicycle, Pedestrian Greenways, and Sharrows, we are proactively maintaining the facilities and infrastructure we already have.

The FY 2014 CIP provides approximately $14.2 million in infrastructure and maintenance funding throughout the city.

The Approved FY 2014 Budget provides funds to support our neighborhoods. In total, $6.9 million is provided in FY 2014 for Broad Creek, Fairmount Park, Southside, and Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan projects, to support citywide neighborhood initiatives, and to revitalize, redevelop, and conserve neighborhoods throughout the city.

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City of Norfolk

Capital Budget at a Glance Key FY 2014 General CIP Projects

Design and Construct Courthouse Complex

$26,433,382

Construct or Renovate Schools - NPS

$24,600,000

Construct Camp Allen Elementary School - NPS

$4,000,000

Construct School Athletics Support Buildings - NPS

$1,000,000

Address School Major Maintenance - NPS

$3,000,000

Revitalize, Redevelop, and Conserve Neighborhoods

$6,350,000

 Neighborhood Plans (Broad Creek, Fairmont Park, Southside, and Wards Corner) Support Citywide Neighborhood Improvements

$500,000

Design and Construct Government Center Plaza

$3,600,000

Improve Waterside Convention Center

$1,626,000

Address Street Flooding Citywide

$1,500,000

Beach Erosion Control

$1,100,000

Renovate Scope Restrooms and Concessions

$1,000,000

Fund Chrysler Museum Capital Campaign Match

$1,000,000

Maintain Municipal Facilities

$1,000,000

Implement RPOS Master Plan

$1,000,000

Improve Infrastructure and Acquire Property

$1,000,000

Repair and Replace Bridges - Major

$1,000,000

Develop Bicycle, Pedestrian Greenways, and Sharrows

$250,000

Oceanview Roadway Improvements

$400,000

City of Norfolk

Page 27

Capital Budget at a Glance The General Fund supported capital projects increased by $18.1 million from what was planned last year from $70.7 to $88.8 million. This increase is due to projects that mainly benefit neighborhoods and schools.

CIP Increase from Planned to Approved Oceanview Roadway Improvements $400,000

Maintain Municipal Facilities $1,000,000

Recreation Parks and Open Spaces Master Plan $1,000,000

Norfolk Public Schools

Fire-Rescue Facility Plan $385,000 Camp Allen Elementary and School Athletics Buildings $5,000,000

Neighborhood Streets, Sidewalks, and Walkways $250,000

Neighborhood Projects $6,850,000

All other $2,997,000

Bicycle, Pedestrian Greenways, and Sharrows $250,000

City of Norfolk

Page 28

Healthcare The Healthcare Consortium (City of Norfolk, NPS, and NRHA) was formed to keep healthcare costs affordable for Consortium members.

The Consortium has used plan design changes, wellness programs, and most recently a dependent care audit to stabilize the growth of healthcare costs.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) takes effect January 2014 and increases the cost of health insurance. Last December, the Consortium’s healthcare consultant projected a 15.2 percent premium increase beginning January 2014. To control costs, the Approved FY 2014 Budget includes a transition from a fullyinsured to a city-administered (or self-insured) healthcare model beginning January 2014.

Retirement The transition to a city-administered model is projected to save the Healthcare Consortium approximately $5 million

The benefits of adopting a city-administered model include: 

Lower administration costs; generally a five to ten percent cost reduction



Reduction in premium taxes



Improved plan design flexibility; greater ability to choose pharmacy options and vendors



Capture of immediate savings from cost management efforts

City of Norfolk

Page 29

Retirement A major cost driver in the Approved FY 2014 Budget is the contribution to the Norfolk Employee’s Retirement System (NERS). The retirement system provides retirement benefits for qualified City of Norfolk employees.

Two notable factors that significantly increase retirement costs in the Approved FY 2014 Budget are: 

Retiree Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): Retirees in FY 2013 received a two percent COLA. This COLA to retirees increased the NERS liability by approximately $1.4 million.

While we would like to provide our retirees a COLA in FY 2014, it is not factored into base actuarial calculations. The Retirement Board has indicated that if we provide COLAs regularly, it will have a significant impact on the city’s contribution formula for retirement.



Norfolk Community Services Board (NCSB): The transition of NCSB into the city structure in FY 2013 increased the city’s FY 2014 required contribution by $2.8 million.

Retirement

These actions have resulted in the city’s overall required retirement system contribution increasing in FY 2014 to $42.3 million from $41.5 million.

The $42.3 million represents approximately 23.5 percent of annual permanent payroll costs. Under current projections, retirement costs will continue to cost between 23-25 percent of payroll over the next fifteen years.

City of Norfolk

Page 30

Employer of Choice Norfolk continues to position itself as an “Employer of Choice” organization to attract and retain an engaged and dynamic workforce.

The Approved FY 2014 Budget: 

Provides a two percent salary increase for city employees, effective July 1, 2013



Provides ongoing support for the Master Firefighter and Master Police Programs to encourage firefighters to enhance their skills and abilities



Supports the tuition reimbursement program



Provides employee and supervisor training opportunities



Continues the FY 2013 program of four volunteer hours per year at Norfolk Public Schools

We have taken a conservative approach to staffing in FY 2014. Other than those related to the opening of the Slover Memorial Library and the reorganization of Communications and Technology, the Approved FY 2014 Budget includes no new permanent positions in the General Fund.

We have worked to achieve $1.6 million in targeted personnel reductions. The majority of the $1.6 million was achieved by eliminating vacant positions and attempting to more accurately project future attrition rates based on historical data. Overall, the FY 2014 Approved Budget includes 30 fewer General Fund permanent positions than FY 2013.

City of Norfolk

Page 31

Sequestration Sequestration refers to a series of automatic, across-the-board spending reductions to federal government agencies which began on March 1, 2013. Over the 2013 to 2021 time frame, sequestration will reduce planned spending by $1.2 trillion in debt reduction or avoidance. The city, which currently receives over $6.5 million in federal funding each year, may incur funding reductions from federal programs including: 

Department of Housing and Urban Developments’ Community Development Block Grant Program



Department of Education’s Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies



Head Start



Department of Labor’s Workforce Investment Act

Although Virginia is just 2.6 percent of the nation’s population, about 12.1 percent of reductions will come from the Commonwealth. Due to the large defense population in the Hampton Roads region, sequestration is anticipated to have a major impact on the local economy. The city will take appropriate actions to mitigate the impact, including reducing budgets in the future.

Page 32 Life. Celebrated Daily.

Paul D. Fraim Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot Vice Mayor Ward 3 Andrew A. Protogyrou Ward 1 Dr. Theresa W. Whibley Ward 2 Paul R. Riddick Ward 4 Thomas R. Smigiel Ward 5 Barclay C. Winn Ward 6 Angelia M. Williams Ward 7

Marcus D. Jones City Manager

This Budget in Brief includes highlights of the Approved FY 2014 Budget. For additional details, please visit the City’s website www.norfolk.gov to view information about the budget or read the Approved Budget Document. An Approved Budget Document is also available in each library branch.