Hampton City Council Discusses Proposed Tax Levy Decrease

City Manager presents preliminary budget figures for fiscal year 2027

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Hampton City Council held a budget workshop on Monday evening to review early fiscal year 2027 budget items and proposed property tax levy information. City Manager Ron Dunt presented the council with preliminary levy figures, showing a proposed fiscal year 2027 levy of $14.85, a decrease of $1.06 from the current fiscal year. Library Director Suzy Knipfel also spoke, outlining the Library Foundation's financial support and recent projects.

Why it matters

The city's property tax levy is a key component of the municipal budget, impacting funding for essential services and community resources like the public library. A proposed decrease in the levy could provide tax relief for residents, but may also require adjustments to spending priorities.

The details

During the workshop, City Manager Ron Dunt presented the council with preliminary figures for the fiscal year 2027 property tax levy, proposing a decrease of $1.06 from the current year's levy. Dunt also informed the council that the date for the first public hearing on the maximum levy will be set during the council's regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 26. Library Director Suzy Knipfel provided an update on the Library Foundation's financial support and recent projects, and indicated she plans to request an additional $10,000 from the foundation for fiscal year 2027.

  • The Hampton City Council held the budget workshop on Monday, February 9, 2026.
  • The council agreed to hold closed sessions on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
  • The council's regular meeting to set the date for the first public hearing on the maximum levy is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Ron Dunt

The City Manager of Hampton, Virginia, who presented the preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget figures and proposed property tax levy information to the city council.

Suzy Knipfel

The Library Director for Hampton, who outlined the Library Foundation's financial support and recent projects, and indicated she plans to request additional funding for the library in fiscal year 2027.

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What’s next

The Hampton City Council will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2026, where they will set the date for the first public hearing on the maximum property tax levy for fiscal year 2027.

The takeaway

The proposed decrease in Hampton's property tax levy for fiscal year 2027 could provide tax relief for residents, but the city will need to carefully balance funding priorities, including support for community resources like the public library, as they finalize the upcoming budget.