New city manager takes Norfolk helm

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Tuesday was Norfolk City Manager Marcus Jones' first day on the job. Jones spoke with 10 On Your Side about issues Norfolk is facing including the city budget, local businesses losing money, and Police Chief Bruce Marquis.

With five hours on the job, it didn't take long for Jones to get his first question about embattled Chief Marquis.

“All my department heads, we are in a transition period right now, and I'm going to judge them on all the same things: I'm going to look at someone's character, look at results, and their ability to lead their organizations. As a matter of fact, as soon as I leave you, I am going to meet with the Chief and we are going to talk about his department and where we are headed,” Jones said in a one-on-one interview with WAVY.com.

Jones also said the decision on Marquis, “Is not sitting on the shelf. It is deliberative, and don't expect a decision in the next 48 hours.”

Jones also gave a sobering outlook for Norfolk's bad economic news:
- A $32 million budget shortfall
- A $21 million school budget shortfall
- The General Fund is down
- City revenues are down
- Sales tax revenues are down
- Norfolk's job recovery will also lag behind the nation.

“So when you say what is the state of Norfolk right now? We have an opportunity to look at where we are in terms of revenue expenditure, and look at our priorities and decide where are we are going to go as a city. We are going to do it in a collaborative way, and it will be with the people, and it won't be just from decisions made on the 11th floor of City Hall,” Jones said referring to his office on the 11th floor.