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SUFFOLK, Va. — The City of Suffolk on Monday activated speed enforcement cameras on Route 58 near the SPSA Interchange Improvements Project. It's one step city leaders say they are taking to crack down on speeding in work zones.

13News Now spoke to drivers to find out how they feel about the change and whether they think it'll actually make work zones safer. Katlyn Newcomb said her commute home should take about 30 minutes but usually lasts longer, adding to her frustrations about an already high-traffic area.

"Really, no matter what time you leave a day, you're going to sit in traffic forever," said Newcomb.

Thousands of drivers rely on the Route 58 corridor to get around. Now that construction near the SPSA Interchange Improvements Project is underway, Suffolk leaders are cracking down on speeding with new speed enforcement cameras.

It's all an effort to protect construction workers and drivers in the area. The speed limit on Route 58 in both directions remains reduced to 50 miles per hour through the construction zone.

Starting Monday, if you drive down Route 58, you will see visible signs. For the first 48 days, those caught violating the speed limit will receive written notes in the mail. After that, beginning on July 17, speeding violations will result in a $100 penalty.

Click here to learn more about Suffolk's work zone traffic enforcement program.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said the roadwork has led to a long-term, continuous single-lane closure on Route 58 east, reducing the travel lanes from three to two in Suffolk.

The closure begins near the Route 58 median crossover at the SPSA entrance (Bob Foeller Drive) and continues for approximately one-half mile ending just west of the weigh station.

The right lane closure is scheduled to be in place through late 2025.

SUFFOLK, Va. — Suffolk Public Schools is enhancing school bus safety protocols after an elementary student got off at the wrong bus stop in March, according to Suffolk School Board Vice Chair Sean McGee.

The bus safety protocols were discussed at an April school board meeting.

"A child got off at the wrong bus stop and there wasn’t a parent there. That’s what prompted this," McGee said.

The child was able to connect with a friend’s parent and eventually made it home. Suffolk Public Schools says they can’t comment on if the bus driver faced any disciplinary action.

"Now, parents will have to be at the bus stop for a handoff for the child," McGee said.

This protocol was already in place for Pre-K and kindergarten students when the incident happened, but McGee says the district is re-enforcing that protocol.

And if a parent is not present at the bus stop?

"That bus driver will keep that child on the bus until they complete their route and return the child to school, where a parent will have to pick the child up," McGee said.

McGee says the protocol also calls for Pre-K and kindergarten students to sit at the front of the bus so bus drivers can monitor them.

Parents say they feel their kids are safer with these protocols in place.

"It’s good they are noticing issues and trying to fix it," David Lee, a Suffolk parent, said.

McGee says the school district is looking at more safety measures.

"What we’re looking to purchase is a badge ID system... Each child will have a badge. When they get on the bus, they’ll scan their badge — a parent gets a text notification of time and the location of the child getting on bus. And they scan when they get off," McGee said.

Suffolk, VA – The Suffolk City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to direct the City Manager to prepare a proposed ordinance to establish a personal property tax relief program for qualified elderly and disabled residents. The move came after a staff report outlining the legal framework, potential eligibility rules, and estimated financial impact of such a program.

The discussion, held during the May 7 regular session, was prompted by a previous council directive. Director of Finance Charles Meek, presenting what was noted as likely his last staff report for the city, explained that Virginia state code sections 58.1-3506.1 through 3506.7 authorize localities to create personal property tax relief programs for the elderly and disabled.

Under state law, eligible individuals must be at least 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled, as defined in the code. If established, the relief could apply to one automobile or pickup truck owned and used primarily by or for a qualifying applicant. Eligibility would also be subject to income and net worth restrictions set by the locality, which can be lower than state guidelines.

Meek provided examples from other Virginia localities:

Meek acknowledged that projecting the precise fiscal impact of the program was “pretty difficult” due to a lack of specific data.

The staff recommended initially setting the maximum income at $30,000 and net worth at $75,000 (excluding principal residence and one acre), establishing a $30,000 maximum vehicle assessed value to qualify, and setting an alternative rate of one cent per $100 of assessed value. Meek suggested this approach would align with other communities and allow the city a year or two and see how it impacts city finances before making adjustments.

During the discussion, Council Member Rector asked how the program would handle households with multiple vehicles and noted the requirement to still send a bill even if the tax rate was zero. He also publicly thanked Mr. Meek for his service, stating, “It’s been a pleasure working with you. You’ve always been available to me… thank you for what you’ve done for the city of Suffach and I know wherever you’re going will be better for having you there”.

Vice Mayor Ward then made a motion: “I’d like to make a motion to the to have the city manager to make an amendment to adopt the person property tax relief program for the elderly and the disabled… per recommendation”. Council Member Williams seconded the motion.

The motion to direct the City Manager to come back with an ordinance regarding the personal property tax relief program for the elderly and disabled was approved by a vote of 8 to 0.

The next steps will involve the City Manager finalizing the program parameters, including specific income and net worth requirements, and drafting a code amendment ordinance. This ordinance will then be brought back before the City Council for formal consideration and potential adoption at a future meeting.

SUFFOLK, Va. — Suffolk city officials touted phenomenal growth as one of the fastest-growing cities in Virginia during its annual State of the City address on Tuesday.

Mayor Michael Duman reported that Suffolk saw a population increase of 8.7% over the last four years. Additionally, commercial real estate development over the last five years exceeded $2.7 billion, resulting in over $29.8 million in revenue.

During those five years, more than 13,000 new jobs were created, Duman said. While employers previously reported only 20-30% of their workforce living in the city, that percentage has increased to more than 50%.

But the growth hasn't stopped there, Duman said.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin's adopted budget included $750,000 to expand the Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Center in Suffolk. The budget also includes $500,000 to assist in establishing Suffolk’s homeless shelter, which is currently under construction.

"This state support, combined with federal and local investments, ensures we can provide critical services and a safe space for those facing homelessness in our community," Duman said.

Duman said the city continues to hold a "forward-thinking approach" in regards to transportation infrastructure.

Roadwork on Route 460 is part of a larger $229 million project. An additional $368 million in projects are currently in the design phase. The funding was covered in part by a Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund grant from the state.

"This investment will allow us to get ahead of future demand by widening and modernizing a key 2.3-mile stretch of Route 460, ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with economic growth and positioning Suffolk as a leader in regional connectivity and opportunity," Duman said.

Duman also highlighted several business expansions and developments throughout the city.

Automatic Coating Ltd., a leader in corrosion-resistant coatings, is expanding its facility less than two years after opening its U.S. headquarters in Suffolk. The company is now adding 21,000 square feet to the facility in Suffolk Industrial Park.

"This expansion, with more than $4 million invested, will help them keep up with demand from the U.S. Navy, as well as private industry," Duman said. "It’s another vote of confidence in Suffolk’s workforce and business climate."

Meanwhile, Solenis, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is investing an additional $76 million into local operations, bringing its total investment to nearly $270 million, Duman said. The project includes a new 80,000-square-foot production and packaging building, a tank farm, a rail spur and 38 new permanent jobs. Construction is set to finish by the end of next year.

Transnational Foods, a supplier of food products, is moving its operations into a new facility at Coastal Logistics II on Carolina Road. The facility will occupy 350,000 square feet and bring around 15 new jobs.

"These new investments are a testament to the momentum we’re building together," Duman said. "They show that Suffolk isn’t just open for business. We’re where businesses want to be, and where our community can look forward to even more cool opportunities ahead.

"We've made great strides this year. Whether it's economic development, infrastructure improvements or community engagement," he continued. "Suffolk is a city on the rise: rooted in history, driven by innovation, and united by a shared love for this place we call home."

The Suffolk City Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. to gather public input on an effective real estate tax increase driven by rising property values. The hearing will take place in Council Chambers at City Hall, 442 W. Washington Street.

While the city’s real estate tax rate is not increasing, higher assessed values following the latest reassessment have triggered what Virginia law defines as an “effective tax rate increase.” Under state code, municipalities must hold a public hearing when reassessment-driven increases exceed 1%, even if the actual tax rate remains the same.

City Finance Director Charles Meek confirmed during the April 16 work session that the city’s proposed budget maintains the existing real estate tax rate structure.

“The proposed budget does not adjust the citywide real estate tax,” Meek said. “[It] remains at $1.07 per $100 of assessed value, 10.5 cents in the downtown business district, [and] 24 cents in the Route 17 taxing district. This would keep Suffolk at its current rating as the third-lowest real estate tax rate in the region.”

He also noted that Suffolk has reduced its real estate tax rate by a total of four cents over the past three fiscal years.

Despite the steady rate, reassessments across the city show an average increase in property values of 4.71%. This means the amount of tax paid by most property owners will go up without any change to the rate.

If the city adopted a “revenue-neutral” rate that brings in the same total property tax revenue as last year, it would need to lower the rate to $1.032 per $100 of assessed value. However, since the city plans to maintain the $1.07 rate, the result is what state law recognizes as a 3.54% effective tax rate increase.

The increased revenue generated from rising assessments is expected to support the city’s proposed operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2025-2026. According to City Manager Al Moor, Suffolk’s total proposed budget would increase by 8% over the prior year, partly driven by this additional revenue.

The city plans to use the funds to sustain essential services, invest in infrastructure, and meet growing community needs amid population and development growth.

The public hearing is open to all Suffolk residents. Property owners are encouraged to attend and voice their thoughts on the proposed revenue plan and how it may affect their tax bills. Since the reassessment impact varies by property, some owners may see increases higher or lower than the 3.54% average.

Citizens needing accommodations or accessibility assistance should contact the City Manager’s Office at 757-514-4012.

Council is expected to vote later in the meeting to adopt the city’s full FY 2025–26 budget, including the real estate tax rate ordinance.