Richmond public hearing draws wide comment on budget priorities including school funding, raises, housing and youth programs

The Richmond City Council held a special public hearing to gather feedback on the mayor’s proposed budget and a set of council amendments, drawing sustained comment from residents, nonprofit leaders and city staff about school funding, employee raises, housing assistance and youth programs.

Speakers at the hearing urged council to restore or increase funding for Richmond Public Schools and for implementation of contractual pay increases; to boost the Family Crisis Fund and eviction-prevention resources; to fund two code-enforcement positions tied to a proposed rental-inspection program; to continue support and fair-housing funding for voucher holders; and to preserve pay and staffing for public safety and other city services.

The hearing brought people from across the city and city government to the microphone, including nonprofit directors, union leaders, parents and students. Thomas Fitzpatrick, executive director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal, said the agency’s two programs that had been cut in the introduced budget are linked and asked council to restore funding so the group can continue to serve voucher holders in Richmond: “I humbly ask you if you could continue to fund this program and allow us to continue to…