The motion received the support of seven council members, but it needed nine affirmative votes to move forward.

More Videos

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — An effort to enshrine the city’s 10-1 voting system in the city charter failed on Tuesday by coming up shy of the three-fourths majority needed to pass it.

The vote was 7-4, with Mayor Bobby Dyer and Councilmembers Michael Berlucchi, Barbara Henley and Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson voting against it. However, because changes to the city charter require 75% of the council members to be in support, the motion failed because it needed nine votes to move forward.

Had it passed, the city would have formally requested the General Assembly to approve the charter change in its upcoming session this January. The change has been attempted before, passing the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate but being vetoed by the governor due to a pending lawsuit.

Before the vote, Mayor Bobby Dyer told 13News Now, "As long as it’s under litigation, the governor will not sign it, and that’s what I was told."

The 10-1 system was adopted in 2022. It splits the city into 10 districts, each of which elects a single representative. There is also an at-large mayor elected, for a total of 11 seats on the City Council.

This system differs from the previous 7-3-1 system, which had seven districts with a representative, three at-large seats, and an at-large mayor.

Supporters of the 10-1 system say it more accurately illustrates the principle of “one person, one vote.” They also say it gives more people a chance to run to represent their community, increasing diversity and reducing the influence of special interests.

Virginia Beach NAACP President Eric Majette spoke to 13News Now Wednesday. He said the failed vote was a disappointment. "The citizen voices were not heard," he said. "Heard, but not heard."

“This system is a system where all voices are heard, regardless of who you are,” said Georgia Allen, who spoke during Tuesday’s meeting. She was one of nearly a dozen speakers on the topic, most of whom were in support of the change.

Detractors say it goes against the city’s charter – and there is a lawsuit against allowing 10-1 to move forward.

District 2 Representative Barbara Henley also spoke to 13News Now Wednesday. After voting against the change, she said, "A voting system is extremely important, and if you’re going to do a major change to your voting system, there needs to be a voter referendum."

Dyer said he was in favor of the former system and had concerns that there is “ambiguity out there right now” with the lawsuit pending.

“It’s really an emotional thing to a lot of people,” he said Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, several state legislators -- Sen. Aaron Rouse, Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, Del. Alex Askew and Del. Michael Feggans -- released a letter suggesting they will bring up the issue in the 2025 General Assembly session.

Below is the letter in full:

To the Virginia Beach City Council and Virginia Beach Residents,

As members of the General Assembly representing Virginia Beach, we write this letter to express our disappointment with the recent Virginia Beach City Council decision to halt the recommendation of the 10-1 district voting system into the legislative agenda for 2025 by a vote of 7-4. This system, overwhelmingly supported by 81% of residents, was designed to promote fair representation by ensuring each district elects a single council member, with only the mayor elected at large. Such a structure embodies the principles of “one person, one vote” and enhances the diversity of voices within our council.

The 10-1 system, adopted in response to previous findings of racially polarized voting, is a step forward in protecting the voting strength of underrepresented communities. It has already demonstrated its value in promoting inclusiveness and equity, with the 2022 election ushering in Virginia Beach’s most diverse City Council in its history.

Although this measure did not pass the required three-fourths majority in the recent council vote, we remain committed to advancing it. We plan to reintroduce the 10-1 system in the General Assembly’s 2025 session to continue advocating for our residents’ clear preferences and to fulfill our shared vision of an equitable electoral system in Virginia Beach.

Sincerely,

Senator Aaron Rouse Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler

Senate District 22 House District 96

Delegate Alex Askew Delegate Michael Feggans

House District 95 House District 97

Corey Vann, Virginia Beach, VA— Corey Vann has passed away, leaving a profound sense of loss in the hearts of all who knew him. Corey was celebrated for his incredible kindness, infectious positivity, and generosity, which touched the lives of many. His warmth and spirit made him a cherished friend, loving husband, and devoted father, always willing to light up his smoker to feed friends and family or spread joy with his bright smile.

In honor of his memory, a fundraiser has been established to support his daughter, Catherine, as she continues her education at the University of Virginia, a place that held a special place in Corey’s heart. The campaign, which has raised over $3,000 to date, will help secure her academic future, ensuring that Corey’s legacy lives on through the support of his most treasured pride and joy.

"Corey was a good friend of our family, a loving husband to his wife, and a #1 fan for his daughter," shared Crow Renager in a heartfelt post. "The world lost an amazingly kind, passionate, and dedicated man recently."

The community has rallied around Corey’s family during this difficult time, and they are eternally grateful for the love and support shown. The funds raised will go directly toward Catherine’s tuition, helping her pursue her dreams at one of the nation’s top universities.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Corey Vann’s family as they navigate this painful loss.

Short Summary of Corey Vann

May Corey’s soul rest in peace, and may his family find comfort and strength during this difficult time.

Note:This post was written and edited by Alexander Jackson, based on their expertise and research. It is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. We welcome your feedback and questions on this content. Please feel free to contact us.

The signed Sponsorship Agreement outlines the event location, the city and SITW organizers' financial responsibilities and guidelines for event termination.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Something in the Water Festival (SITW) will return to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on April 26 and 27, 2025, with certain stipulations from the City of Virginia Beach as outlined in their Sponsorship Agreement.

"If they do not have this signed, sealed and delivered, by close of business on Friday - I will recommend on Tuesday that we pull the plug and go in a different direction," said Dyer during Tuesday's City Council meeting.

On Friday, Nov. 15, SITW organizers met Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer’s deadline to submit their contracts for the requested dates for the music festival.

RELATED: Something in the Water organizers meet contract submission deadline

The signed Agreement outlines the event location - 2nd Street to the Virginia Beach Pier at 1415 Atlantic Avenue - the city and SITW organizers' financial responsibilities and guidelines for event termination.

Virginia Beach officials have agreed to a $500,000 advance to be paid to the promoters in three intervals: $100,00 when the contract is executed, $200,00 when the artist's lineup is announced on or before December 31, and the final $200,000 when organizers apply for a Special Event Permit.

The city has also agreed to provide the promoters the use of various resort stages, designated public parking areas as well as rideshare services, the use of school buses, and the use of parts of the Convention Center.

SITW organizers, on the other hand, will be responsible for providing the artist lineup and "commence" ticket sales by the December 31 deadline, securing all necessary entertainment permits, including the Special Event Permit, hiring third-party security and EMS services, and providing attendance and ticket sale information for the city to determine the amount payable from their allotted Financial Sponsorship amount.

The contract also reveals SITW organizers' intent to have the festival in 2026 and 2027 under similar guidelines, but city officials state should organizers decide not to produce those events it "shall not constitute a breach of the Agreement."

However, should promoters "breach a material provision of the Agreement," the city will provide written notice via email. The promoters then have five days from the notice to remedy the situation; if they cannot "cure the default, the City may immediately cancel and terminate this Agreement," and the promoters must return the $500,000 advance within 10 days of the termination day.

For now, it's unclear just how much tickets could cost, but before Pharrell postponed the two-day music festival in September: general admission tickets cost $180, and VIP tickets cost $450.

The Something in the Water Festival will go on rain or shine.

Click here to read the Sponsorship Agreement between Virginia Beach and Something in the Water.

What is the best internet provider in Virginia Beach?

There are a number of internet provider options, but for most customers, the best option in Virginia Beach is Cox Communications. Although the provider’s plans enforce a 1.25 terabyte data cap, customers won’t have to sign a contract to receive the lowest monthly price possible. Cox also has the most comprehensive coverage in Virginia Beach, covering almost 99% of customers.

However, if you’re interested in a fiber or fixed wireless ISP, Verizon Fios and T-Mobile Home Internet are also solid picks, depending on what’s available at your location. If speed is what you need, Verizon and Cox offer speedy 2-gigabit plans, which is the fastest service you’ll find in the city.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Virginia Beach

Cheap internet options in Virginia Beach

The lowest-priced internet plans you'll find in Virginia Beach cost $50 for around $300Mbps. If you're a Verizon or T-Mobile mobile customer, you may be able to bundle your internet for as little as $30-$40 per month.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Virginia Beach

The best internet deals and the top promotions in Virginia Beach depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

Virginia Beach internet providers, such as Cox Communications, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including T-Mobile and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

How fast is Virginia Beach broadband?

According to Ookla speed data (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis), Virginia Beach has a median download speed of about 245Mbps, with Cox and Verizon being the city’s two fastest providers. Many providers offer plans faster than that if you want a more rapid internet connection.

Cox Communications has a $120 per month 2,000Mbps plan, which is the fastest speed Virginia Beach residents can reach.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What's a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Virginia Beach

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from FCC.gov.

It doesn’t end there. We use the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

What's the final word on internet providers in Virginia Beach?

As we like to say, you can’t go wrong with a fiber connection for your household. In addition to offering symmetrical download and upload speeds, fiber service is also less prone to lags and delays caused by network congestion. If you can get your hands on Verizon Fios in the Virginia Beach area, that should be your top pick for home internet. Fios coverage misses almost half of the area’s residents, so for most addresses, your top option will be Cox Communications. Cable may not be able to match all of fiber’s capabilities, but it’s still a reliable connection type that should allow most households to do all they need to do.

Virginia Beach internet provider FAQs