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Newport News Launches Community Survey for Strategic Planning

Residents actively participate in shaping the future of Newport News through community survey discussions.

News Summary

Newport News is initiating a community survey to gather crucial feedback for its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan under the initiative ‘One City, One Vision.’ This effort aims to enhance citizen participation in budget planning by allowing residents to influence decisions related to public safety, mobility, and overall quality of life. The survey will be conducted in two phases, with invitations sent to selected households and open participation for all residents, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard in shaping the future of the city.

Newport News is launching a community survey aimed at gathering critical feedback for its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. As part of a new initiative dubbed “One City, One Vision — Building A Community-Driven Budget,” the city seeks to enhance citizen participation in the budget planning process. The initiative is designed to ensure that the city’s future aligns with the needs and preferences of its residents.

The survey will provide Newport News residents with a platform to influence key aspects of strategic budget planning, improvements in service delivery, and the allocation of budget resources. It will focus on several essential areas, including safety, mobility, utilities, the local economy, the natural environment, and overall quality of life.

Survey Phases and Participation

The survey process will be executed in two distinct phases. The first phase involves sending paper invitations to 4,000 randomly selected households, which were mailed on April 15, 2025. Residents who received the invitation are encouraged to use the unique link provided in their mailer to participate in the survey.

The second phase of the survey opened to all Newport News residents on May 5, 2025. This phase will remain accessible until May 20, 2025, allowing those not selected in the initial phase to provide their valuable input.

Importance of Community Feedback

City officials emphasize the necessity of community involvement in shaping the future of Newport News. Local residents have expressed their concerns regarding various issues such as safety and youth engagement, highlighting the importance of their voices in local governance.

The data collected from this survey will be instrumental for city officials as they work to better understand community needs and improve services within the area. By participating, residents will have the opportunity to directly influence key decisions that affect their daily lives.

Collaboration with Independent Firm

To ensure that the survey is effectively designed and conducted, Newport News has partnered with POLCO, an independent firm specializing in community engagement. This collaboration is expected to enhance the quality of feedback collected and ensure that the survey’s methodology is robust and reliable.

Next Steps and Further Information

Residents are encouraged to actively engage in the survey process, understanding that their input is crucial for the future of their community. Updates and additional information regarding the survey, as well as its results, will be available on local platforms, ensuring transparency and ongoing communication with the public.

This initiative represents a concerted effort by Newport News to build a stronger, more responsive local government that truly reflects the priorities and needs of its citizens. By facilitating an avenue for community involvement, city officials hope to foster a collaborative environment that leads to a thriving community.