[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6478983,"mediaKeyId","5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5","parentId",5707457,"title","Richmond officials outline regional water capacity, planning and rate scenarios amid data‑center growth","audioSeconds",516,"startMs",175000,"endMs",691000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5&start=175&end=691","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5/thumbnail_175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478983/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-officials-outline-regional-water-capacity-planning-and-rate-scenarios-amid-datacenter-growth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478983-c10bc80244005ff00b3b37bf1a856ebd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770907826&Signature=TudMoPpUFuUHarf7UlRVleBmoC5BW8MlYQRCRomtCrb1lwW5US9qbTplI51vS2htW7A5~p1S78i3GpKtgg7h-C0HlyVISV5yHqlU82dTGTswxACuD-WUhnJM4NgkIgaEwpLMJysderSQ29qy~vvJB1Pzd20gEI6-o848xQmihJvnJIYjMDNLyuQ5EzmHC93h6-Ln7HvSlW21pgcgXowGElVrMGtl7LCqt7Ht~G3KztxQE9wawz9dlzVcnszA0TjtbkDgAHHY-YCHNxVm4GLbktvaYoliJdAErjg~R72M4QPJ9QMov9ha~Uv7Aeif~6x~AgSPf5hcGiiTYyE3KNCw2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","City Chief Administrative Officer O'Dee O'Donnell and Public Utilities Director Scott Morris on Aug. 25 told the Richmond City Council’s Organizational Development Standing Committee that the city is coordinating with Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover on a regional water plan, capacity needs and rate models as the region grows.

O'Donnell and Morris said Richmond's treatment plant contributes to a regional capacity of about 132 million gallons per day serving roughly 530,000 residents. Morris described work since January reviewing condition assessments, outside engineering reports and the Virginia Department of Health sanitary survey and said the region has started a 10‑year capital improvement program (CIP) and multiple rate‑model scenarios for council and state budget consideration.

The officials said they are using a regional approach — with wholesale customer contracts that set point‑of‑entry capacities — and are testing rate assumptions that include a range of possible state funding levels. \"We inputted several rate models, assumptions and scenarios,\" Morris said, adding the group ran a regional tabletop exercise in August that examined cybersecurity, point‑of‑entry capacities and resilience.

Why it matters: Richmond supplies drinking water not only for city residents but to neighboring counties and the rate and CIP decisions will affect households and large wholesale customers (including data centers) across jurisdictions. Council members repeatedly asked whether commercial customers such as data centers will subsidize capital costs and how the city will protect residential affordability.

Key details
- Capacity and demand: Officials said the system's historical demand averages about 96 million gallons per day and current regional capacity is roughly 132 million gallons per day, leaving headroom but requiring investment for long‑term reliability.
- Contracts and point‑of‑entry limits: Wholesale purchasers submit annual projections for each point of entry and may draw water up to contract maximums. Morris said the city's review does not disaggregate residential, commercial and industrial use in the annual submittals; jurisdictions report projected average‑day and max‑day values by point of entry.
- Data centers and commercial growth: Council member Gibson asked how projected demand from large data centers (she cited recent and planned investments by Google and others) factors into the CIP and rate models. Morris and O'Donnell said the region tracks point‑of‑entry projections submitted by jurisdictions and that capacity remains available under current contractual maximums, but they acknowledged the need to address equity in cost allocation. \"We start every conversation with an affordability matrix,\" O'Donnell said, adding the administration is \"looking at capacity and how we invest and who pays for those capital improvements.\"
- Rate modeling and state funding: The presenters said they will test rate models under different levels of state contribution — including a scenario with zero state funding — and that state budget outcomes could change projected customer rates. Council members pressed how assumptions about state aid are being used in models and whether state grants might require contract or governance changes.
- Compliance and repairs: Morris said the city is reviewing condition assessments and has implemented components of the VDH consent‑order work; Donnell told the committee roughly 85% of consent‑order items had been addressed or incorporated into the CIP.

Council reaction and follow up: Members sought more disaggregated documentation — for example a chart showing projected residential versus commercial use and point‑of‑entry projections from regional partners — and asked for earlier circulation of briefing materials ahead of committee meetings. Councilmember Gibson asked for \"talking points ahead of these meetings\" and a clearer breakdown of commercial versus residential demand. Morris said the administration would finalize rate‑model drafts within about one to two weeks after further council member meetings and then coordinate with regional partners.

What comes next: The administration plans to bring a formal proposal on the rate model and budget assumptions to regional partners and to city council for review; those proposals will inform the city's FY‑26 water budget request and any state budget submissions. Council members requested more frequent briefings and a written summary of the city's compliance status with VDH findings.

Ending: Officials emphasized that while the system has capacity today, the plant — built in 1924 — requires sustained investment and regional collaboration to assure reliability. Council members asked for additional documentation and a public briefing schedule as the rate models and ten‑year CIP are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Organizational Development Standing Committee on 2025-09-02 4:00 PM - Microsoft Teams access info: https://go.rva.gov/Sept25OD or dial *67-804-316-9457 and enter ID: 421 592 704#","oneSentenceSummary","City Chief Administrative Officer O'Dee O'Donnell and Public Utilities Director Scott Morris told the Organizational Development Standing Committee on Aug. 25 that Richmond's water plant is a regional asset supplying roughly 132 million gallons per day to about 530,000 residents and that the city is developing a 10‑year capital improvement plan and rate models that test varying state funding scenarios.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478979,"Committee advances ordinance to transfer $5.8 million for restitution payments; debate centers on Affordable Housing Trust Fund uses",4989,2335000,7324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5&start=2335&end=7324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5/thumbnail_2335000.jpg","/articles/6478979/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-advances-ordinance-to-transfer-58-million-for-restitution-payments-debate-centers-on-Affordable-Housing-Trust-Fund-uses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478979-5cd88507a40cfb4c44c50d70ac960af8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770907826&Signature=LXqLr2zxwdX7RRU9S5h1n-Mu34KlsYTzqjzwxDoPAOytQHvGRHuWvnF--gFD9DqfdGrrDz4CCL2M-3GVCnAsLea9Aw~ZSJ96YoH85sVnaYOTYvIIJmzoVXTxBywb5KB1FgB~4a5hhf2fysSg70TfYhOobTdrUCUVCbLCf~rhk-HG~yO4ycDiiVgkNIcB5thk5O7WBGBqk60hyG-aGiO4nbKFF2aOq8-QHWguOIfY~6rOnlcCNvk1uhlIvpjK9aJHyzZmX4GT6r2rqyPmU~NIJOCw4~UV6B5MDd4nIhajeVn1S8qyibycPxUIIlXxRsObM0lMh5kv68VzH~JyMQyBIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Organizational Development Standing Committee on Aug. 25 voted to forward Ordinance 2025‑188 to the full Richmond City Council with a recommendation to approve, after a public hearing and extended debate among council members over the ordinance's source of funds and implications for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Ordinance 2025‑188, as read into the record, would amend the FY‑26 special fund budget to transfer $5,800,000 from the Delinquent Tax Sale Special Fund and amend the FY‑26 general fund budget by creating a new line item for \"restitution payments\" and appropriating the transferred funds \"for the purpose of providing funding for a restitution payment pursuant to Virginia Code section 8.01‑195.13.\" The ordinance was introduced at committee and a public hearing was held; a single speaker, Steve Salzberg of the First District, urged the council to follow the law governing delinquent tax sale proceeds and affordable housing.

Council discussion focused on two issues: the need to make the restitution payment and whether the city had complied with existing local code that directs certain delinquent‑sale proceeds or roll‑off/rehab tax abatement proceeds to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Several council members emphasized the \"justice\" rationale for paying restitution to a wrongfully convicted person; others raised concern that longstanding city code language requiring funds to flow to affordable housing had not been followed as the city received large one‑time and federal funds during the COVID period.

Vote and action: The committee voted to forward Ordinance 2025‑188 to the formal council meeting with a recommendation to approve. The committee vote, as recorded in the transcript, was: Aye — Mr. Bridal, Ms. Lynch, Ms. Trammell, Ms. Abubakar, Vice Chair Jordan, Chair Newbill; No — Ms. Gibson, Ms. Jones, Ms. Robertson. The motion passed and the ordinance will be brought to the full council for final action.

Why it matters: The ordinance would reallocate $5.8 million from a special fund created from delinquent tax sale activity to satisfy a restitution obligation established under state law. Council members and residents have argued for more transparent and enforceable treatment of funds designated — by code language in past ordinances — for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Several council members proposed forming a task group or drafting amendments to clarify code language so funds specified by statute or city code are reliably sent to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund going forward.

Clarifying details and next steps
- Authority cited: Virginia Code §8.01‑195.13 is the statutory authority mentioned in the ordinance for restitution to wrongfully convicted persons. The ordinance is docketed as Ordinance 2025‑188.
- Public comment: Steve Salzberg (First District resident) spoke in opposition, urging compliance with the law on delinquent tax sale proceeds.
- Administration view: CAO O'Donnell said staff had prepared memoranda explaining the recommendation and that the delinquent tax sale fund appeared to be the appropriate source to protect general‑fund reserves; he also described the city's broader affordable‑housing investments from ARPA and other sources during recent years.
- Council concerns: Multiple members asked for a broader review and potential amendments to the city code language governing the roll‑off and delinquent tax sales so future proceeds are consistently directed to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Councilmember Robertson said she would vote against the ordinance because she objected to reallocating funds that she and others consider dedicated to affordable housing; others said the restitution obligation must be satisfied and that administration had identified a legally available source.

Outcome and documentation: The committee moved the ordinance to formal council with a recommendation to approve and with directions from members that staff and council leadership prepare follow‑up work — including a review and possible amendment of code language and a report on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund balances and roll‑off proceeds — before final council action.","The Organizational Development Standing Committee voted Aug. 25 to forward Ordinance 2025‑188 — which would transfer $5.8 million from the delinquent tax sale special fund to a new general‑fund line item for restitution payments under Va. Code §8.01‑195.13 — to full council with a recommendation to approve after a public hearing and extended debate over whether those funds should be allocated to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478967,"Council staff to post Inspector General job; first review of applicants after 30 days",105,6690000,6795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5&start=6690&end=6795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5/thumbnail_6690000.jpg","/articles/6478967/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-staff-to-post-Inspector-General-job-first-review-of-applicants-after-30-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478967-a55391b9f35e07ebd7e978c582af53c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770907826&Signature=MRT3xXPLTKpX6I886Qeg3PkeFo5HBgzq5xwlNeDGXy5CyoAlgwCLoUPHeYzGP296q0dqupisBZ6D4gSnDD20KN0c7UNrYdRfiuDhSe4GluXeuSYagtSEDqEVHwOnNtptD1kTBHAo52ICka78qPW8fp8YYWd5Fjto6dmIY-aFO74YSNbkn~axpzaoXw-~Tkn~6iAjXjAALvHhXD3bLW4H4SxttDaMmSsTrSq6dZY4neKTZPNKRGd2LTZMKpdkq8~gnCIRay5MLHeyUkCuoBhIr9QreX-9qejKwnj6JHL~UKUfFjuKoaTNNhZx1PgWoCw~nLt~EwmLDOPPwVN2tbuWEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council staff reported at the Aug. 25 meeting that a job announcement for the city's Office of the Inspector General will be finalized and posted by the end of the week and that the position will be kept open on a continuous basis with an initial review of applicants after 30 days.

Council leaders asked that two council members volunteer to serve on a five‑person interview panel. Staff said they would circulate the job description to all council members and would solicit feedback. Committee members asked that department staff who will work with the Inspector General be given an opportunity to provide input on the candidate profile; staff agreed to include that input and to allow anonymous feedback where appropriate.

Why it matters: The Inspector General is a central role for internal oversight; committee members emphasized the importance of continuity and staff input in the hiring process.

Next steps: Staff will finalize and post the job announcement, notify council when it is live, conduct a first review after 30 days and assemble an interview panel that includes at least two council members and up to five panelists.","Council staff told the committee the job announcement for Richmond's Office of Inspector General will be finalized and posted this week with continuous filing; the first review of applications is scheduled for 30 days after posting and the council was asked to provide at least two members to serve on a five‑person interview panel.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478969,"Budget review task force proposes earlier budget introduction and standardized amendment process",319,5002000,5321000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5&start=5002&end=5321","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5/thumbnail_5002000.jpg","/articles/6478969/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Budget-review-task-force-proposes-earlier-budget-introduction-and-standardized-amendment-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478969-354147eb07f7194524b45ebf6e310cfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770907826&Signature=j0k~lFlZMif7qs3iXN~PhMY49Zh3kZhetkEYTfhnVpdf2ITto0p~idXOFCmRv5VLP~ef8HXm7U55-1~ViGFW1ATlRNtKZJEwEAS5I25cezJ3wvVr7nNppkjvD6UpgFDSHsI6sgB67cjqsu9cJmH6q-wb8Qx3mRoXa5l2r62Elij3uX5aHfASVj-4-4sik~NSwEQPNIYH7a5xYHR37lQqpNr7MFMz8D4EwIi-H6f~R82e7vdPoUB05He4Es~hJX9de7sE8ON9GpaZ2388CuUo-6zEyJtYjGRhslqUH0zC2SlkDDDFLLus14YO-cgm7iODgP9Kn6S7xTxb5009HxIM0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A working group of council and administration staff presented a set of recommendations on Aug. 25 intended to improve Richmond's budget review and adoption process, including a proposed ordinance change to introduce the mayor's budget 16 days earlier and clearer procedures for amendment submission and deliberation.

RJ Warren, council chief of staff, summarized the budget review task force findings. The group sought three categories of change: (1) schedule — advance the mayor's legally required introduction to allow earlier public hearings and more review time; (2) structure — organize budget work sessions by the city's portfolio groupings (operations, finance and administration, planning/economic development, human services) and have subject‑matter experts available; and (3) operations — adopt standardized procedures for amendment submission, co‑sponsorship and deliberation.

Under the task force plan, the mayor would present a ceremonial introduction on the earlier date and the CAO and technical staff would remain available to answer questions at the same meeting. Council amendments would be submitted on a published schedule; amendments with more co‑sponsors would be considered first to improve efficiency. The timeline also calls for a March public hearing on the introduced budget, a later public hearing on council‑proposed amendments and a final May adoption date, with the school budget handled in separate ordinance per charter timing.

Why it matters: Council members and administration said the goal is to increase transparency and public engagement and to give council and staff adequate time to analyze a complex, multi‑billion dollar budget. Members raised additional suggestions including formalizing parts of the new process in code or council rules and improving access to department‑level data so council can evaluate agency requests side‑by‑side.

Next steps: Staff will draft an ordinance to change the statutory introduction date, prepare standard operating procedures for work sessions and amendment handling, and reconvene the task force after the next budget adoption to evaluate how the changes worked in practice. Members also asked for improved training and technology access (Oracle/financial system) to give council staff and members better data tools for budget review.

Ending: Task force leaders said the package of procedural changes aims to reduce last‑minute chaos, improve public hearings earlier in the cycle and provide consistent rules so council and the public can better track proposed changes and outcomes.","A cross‑government task force recommended moving the city's budget introduction earlier, reorganizing work sessions by departmental portfolios, standardizing amendment rules and boosting early collaboration between administration and council. The group also proposed a public schedule and an annual review of the process.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478974,"Committee adopts Civilian Review Board policies and continues member appointments to Sept. 8",63,3769000,3832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5&start=3769&end=3832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707457-4db374ed309315409aca93187d8bd9e5/thumbnail_3769000.jpg","/articles/6478974/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-adopts-Civilian-Review-Board-policies-and-continues-member-appointments-to-Sept-8","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478974-d532dcd19fe7278203a6799283e69bdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770907826&Signature=YElc1g20wnQb0WhoeKOijan5K-SL0CDo5KBkvV9VtyjoX1ROKFtDZjh-DXJKu38JmhkotR9BeOLJcpEF3SdkCkCbEh2VE3BP8Df7nCFTsBlwAOp9nqgSUME-mDZODHYsBw8edFzlv2mjVLLJW3m7nMsWQqrJ3yvIv0H~RbkPgZioLdXHc8k73ubOJRtqN1alc2ZULNu-FOP43jbBi8AgXyPOCMucadKHlPYwGzqIvTzA2JUvVBSwEqjBO32xwnjHRf6ZxlDnl-Z2Xex3a1HkLGkY7M5cD-uKR2gHQqNUWVSSV1Bs08GtJhGGyr3ajhjXlD9z0LnMXgU370Xxi0PRgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Organizational Development Standing Committee on Aug. 25 advanced a resolution establishing the Civilian Review Board's policies and procedures and deferred final appointment of board members to give council additional review time.

Resolution 2025‑R020, presented by Civilian Review Board Manager Joe Lowery, sets policies and procedures for the newly established board, which will review and make recommendations on internal police investigations including police‑involved shootings, deaths and serious injuries while in custody, allegations of abuse by officers, and appeals of police findings. The committee held a public hearing; no members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the hearing.

The committee voted to forward the resolution to full council with a recommendation to approve. The committee also reviewed a slate of recommended candidates (the committee provided its list of council nominees and noted the mayor's pending appointments) and decided to continue appointment consideration to the council's informal meeting on Sept. 8, with final appointment scheduled at the Sept. 8 formal meeting. The continuance vote was approved unanimously by the committee.

Why it matters: The Civilian Review Board is intended to provide independent review and public transparency on police internal investigations and practices. The committee and staff described a candidate review process: 56 applicants were received, 13 were interviewed by a cross‑departmental working group, and eight finalists were recommended for council appointment; the mayor will also submit four mayoral appointments.

Clarifying details and next steps
- Applications and selection: Pamela Nichols, council management analyst, said the city received about 56 applications; a working group interviewed 13 candidates and recommended eight for council appointment; the mayor will nominate four additional members.
- Appointment timing: The committee continued appointment consideration to Sept. 8 (informal) and Sept. 8 (formal) to allow newly seated council members additional review time and to ensure the board reaches quorum and can begin work.
- Terms: Nichols said initial appointments will be staggered (one‑, two‑ and three‑year terms) and staff will work with appointees to determine individual term lengths and training schedules.

Outcome: Resolution 2025‑R020 forwarded to council with recommendation to approve; appointment consideration continued to Sept. 8 so the council can finalize membership and terms.","The committee forwarded Resolution 2025‑R020 establishing the Civilian Review Board policies and procedures to full council with a recommendation to approve, and it continued consideration of the CRB member appointments to an informal meeting on Sept. 8 and final appointments at the Sept. 8 formal meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Richmond officials outline regional water capacity, planning and rate scenarios amid data‑center growth

Committee advances ordinance to transfer $5.8 million for restitution payments; debate centers on Affordable Housing Trust Fund uses

Council staff to post Inspector General job; first review of applicants after 30 days

Budget review task force proposes earlier budget introduction and standardized amendment process

Committee adopts Civilian Review Board policies and continues member appointments to Sept. 8