Virginia Beach City Council beefs up security, increases first responder pay in new $2B budget Council approved an 8.5 percent salary increase for police, fire, EMS, and sheriff's office staff and a 4.5 percent increase for all other city employees. Author: Allison Bazzle Updated: 11:16 PM EDT May 12, 2021 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Public safety is top of mind in Virginia Beach. On Tuesday, city council approved a more than $2 billion budget, with millions set aside to beef up security through the city and to pay first responders more. Council unanimously passed the Fiscal Year 2022, with a unified goal. “Public safety is a top priority,” Mayor Bobby Dyer said.