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Richmond council adopts FY2026 budget amendment and previews modest utility increases for FY2027
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 2026-03 to amend the FY2026 budget and heard highlights of the FY2027 budget, including proposed utility-rate increases of $1/month for water, $1/month for sewer and $2/month for garbage beginning in July.
The Richmond City Council voted 3-0 on May 19 to adopt Resolution 2026-03, amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget after city staff outlined several revenue and expense adjustments across general, enterprise and capital funds.
City Recorder Justin B. Lewis presented the amendments, which he said result in an overall $495,616 increase in both revenue and expenses in the General Fund, and noted a mix of adjustments including sales-tax changes, franchise and mass-transit taxes, grants, donations and transfers to the Capital Projects Fund. A public hearing opened at 7:13 p.m. and closed at 7:14 p.m. with no public comment. "This will be reviewed again next month as Fiscal Year 2026 comes to a close on June 30th," Lewis said.
Staff also previewed the FY2027 budget. Lewis told council members the proposal would include preliminary RAPZ funding for pickleball courts, capital projects such as a Quonset building remodel and equipment purchases, and modest monthly utility-rate increases effective in July: water $1.00, sewer $1.00 and garbage $2.00. Mayor Jeff Young said the garbage increase was necessary, noting fees have not changed since 2023.
Councilmembers discussed personnel and program expense increases, library spending driven by a Carnegie donation, and a planned transfer to the Capital Projects Fund to preserve the city's unreserved fund balance. The council adopted the FY2026 amendment and directed staff to continue work on the FY2027 proposal, which will return for a public hearing and formal vote in June.
