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Richmond council previews budget amendments on housing, safety, youth programs and audits
Summary
Council members used a budget work session to present competing amendments that prioritize affordable housing, school and street safety projects, ambulance funding and youth programming; no formal votes were taken and staff were asked to combine co‑patron requests ahead of Wednesday deliberations.
Richmond City Council met for a budget work session focused on members’ proposed amendments to the mayor’s draft budget. Council President Newbill opened the session, RJ Warren, the council chief of staff, outlined a timed process for 10‑minute member presentations and set a co‑patron deadline for the next business day. No formal votes were held.
The session produced a broad set of proposals. Councilmember Bridal proposed financing the Sports Backers land purchase with debt to preserve the contingency fund, adding customer‑service capacity in the 3‑1‑1 system, and increasing permit and enforcement inspectors in Planning and Development Review, paid by application fees. He also called for restoring budget account codes to increase transparency and recommended prioritizing school‑safety transportation projects.
Vice President Jerden urged funding FTEs to implement the Richmond 300 master plan and recommended zeroing out a $500,000 CIP augmentation for Richmond Gas Works pending discussion about permissible enterprise‑fund uses and possible redirection to affordability programs.
Councilwoman Gibson pushed to sustain the Richmond Virtual Academy, add Social Services positions (noting an 84.5% reimbursement rate for some FTEs), expand audit capacity for Richmond Public Schools and city hall, and study municipal ownership of utilities. Councilwoman Robertson framed a package emphasizing housing and downtown transformation, including restoring a $10 million commitment to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and creating a neighborhood displacement performance grant.
Several members emphasized community programs and infrastructure: Councilwoman Lynch sought funding to finish Fonticello Park, $40,000 for equipment at Randolph Community Center, a dedicated $75,000 mailing line for the Office for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities, and $250,000 for asphalt alleys and traffic‑safety studies. Councilwoman Jones pushed for a splash pad and $300,000 to expand programming at Southside Community Center.
Councilwoman Trammell requested immediate funding support for the Richmond Ambulance Authority, said she had documentation showing earlier administration promises to help, and asked for a 1.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for retirees. Councilwoman Auerbacher sought to strike new severance provisions and proposed a 3.25% across‑the‑board adjustment and traffic investments in Westover Hills.
President Newbill closed by listing follow‑up items, including a proposed $700,000 investment for RPS afterschool transportation and security, an $800,000 package to support ambulance vehicle leases and purchases, instructions for staff to combine co‑patroned amendments, and the schedule for upcoming deliberations.
The council will begin deliberations on Wednesday, when administration representatives will be able to provide additional context and staff will begin combining co‑patroned amendments as requested by the chief of staff.
