Council adopts budget after heated public testimony over mobile‑home repairs, eviction relief and process concerns

The Richmond City Council adopted a package of budget ordinances (Ordinances 2025‑57 through 2025‑63) after an extended public hearing and council debate that centered on mobile‑home repair funding, the Family Crisis Fund for eviction prevention, a right‑to‑counsel pilot and the council’s role in the budget process.

Public testimony was dominated by residents and organizers who urged the council to add money to a mobile‑home repair program and to expand the Family Crisis Fund and eviction diversion supports. "I'm asking for a million dollars in the 2026 budget for mobile home repairs," RISC member Beverly Bryant told council; multiple speakers said the mayor had earlier promised funding that did not appear in the published budget. New Virginia Majority lead organizer Peter Finn repeated requests for larger allocations to the Family Crisis Fund and said his group supported the $1,000,000 amendment then on the table while continuing to press for more.

Security officers and contract workers also testified. Kyrie Fields, a security contractor, urged the council and contracting staff to require living wages and allow unionization in upcoming procurement for the city's security contract, saying low wages and lack of benefits undermine stability for low‑paid city contractors.

Councilmembers expressed widely differing views about both the content of the budget and the process that produced it. Councilmember Aberbacher said his "no" vote would be a protest against a process that left council with limited levers, arguing the council had only about $1.9 million to allocate in a multi‑billion‑dollar budget. "This budget will pass, but I'm going to vote no with my conscience," Aberbacher said.

Councilmember Kenya Gibson, who proposed multiple amendments to increase housing‑related funding and other items, criticized the compressed amendment timeline and the late public hearing on the mayor's proposal. Gibson also noted modest wins her office had achieved in negotiations: additional funding for the city's right‑to‑counsel and eviction‑diversion programs and full funding of the $3,000,000 people’s budget allocation, which she described as hard‑fought concessions. "The budget falls short," Gibson said; "I'm voting against the budget, but I still have hope and I remain optimistic." Councilmember Stephanie Lynch said she would support the budget, citing significant investments she considered beneficial and urging continued work to reform the process.

After debate, the council adopted the ordinances by roll call: Andrew Breton (aye); Kenya Gibson (no); Nicole Jones (aye); Robertson (aye); Stephanie Lynch (aye); Sarah Abubakar (no); Vice President Jurden (yes); President Newbill (aye). The clerk recorded the ordinances as adopted.

Public and council priorities cited during the hearing included: - Mobile‑home repairs: multiple RISC speakers described families living in trailers with collapsing ceilings, mold and no insulation and said the mayor had pledged funds that did not appear in the published budget. Speakers requested $800,000 (a pledge they attributed to the mayor) or $1,000,000 (an amendment proposed by council) or larger sums; organizers also proposed a much larger Family Crisis Fund allocation (one speaker asked for $9,000,000 for the Family Crisis Fund). - Eviction prevention and tenant assistance: advocates pressed for increased funding for the Family Crisis Fund, an eviction diversion program and a right‑to‑counsel pilot; organizers framed the funds as immediate "lifelines" to prevent displacement in a city with high eviction rates. - Contracted worker wages: testimony from a security contractor urged the council to require living wages in upcoming RFPs and to allow unionization for contracted workers. - Budget process and transparency: several councilmembers and residents criticized the timing of the mayor’s public hearing, the short window for council amendments, and limited time for public review of council amendment proposals.

What the council approved: the adopted ordinances together implement the mayor’s budget as modified by the council’s approved amendments. Councilmembers who supported the package said it contains investments in affordable housing, eviction diversion, public safety, and other services; dissenting members framed their votes as protest against the process and argued the package did not meet the scale of community needs.

Votes at a glance Ordinances 2025‑57 through 2025‑63 (city budget and related items): adopted by roll call (Andrew Breton — aye; Kenya Gibson — no; Nicole Jones — aye; Robertson — aye; Stephanie Lynch — aye; Sarah Abubakar — no; Vice President Jurden — yes; President Newbill — aye). Tally: 6 yes, 2 no.

Council also approved an expedited resolution to appoint a council chief of staff (resolution to appoint RJ Warren) by unanimous vote later in the meeting.

Next steps and context: several councilmembers said they will pursue structural changes to the budget timeline and process ahead of the fiscal 2027 cycle to allow earlier engagement, more transparency and greater council influence. Advocates said they will continue to press for dedicated mobile‑home repair funding and expanded eviction prevention resources.