Budget in Brief

BUDGET IN BRIEF

The Adopted FY 2024 Budget incorporates the values of accountability, equity, diversity, innovation, and a desire to move the city forward. It leverages local, state, and federal funding to continue building the Richmond we deserve. A city that is sustainable, progressive in thought and action, and providing premier municipal services while ensuring a high quality of life for our residents, businesses, and organizations. Together we can buildthefuture.

Moving Forward, Stronger Together

Strategic priorities of the Adopted FY 2024 Budget: Affordable housing

We are committed to providing affordable housing opportunities so that our city remains inclusive to all. We believe housing is a basic human necessity that can reduce intergenerational

poverty

and increase economic mobility.

Public safety

We are making our communities and neighborhoods safe and clean by upgrading and modernizing police and fire stations, funding traffic calming strategies, and increasing street lighting.

Well-managed and efficient government

We lead by example, achieving responsive, accountable, and innovative government. Our goal is to evolve into an Employer of Choice that attracts talented and motivated individuals, responds to the concerns of its employees, invests in professional development, ensures accountability, and offers diverse benefit options and competitive compensation.

Thriving community

We invest in our community by focusing on sustainability, enhancing access to libraries and cultural centers, making park improvements, and funding nonprofit organizations that support cultural diversity and inclusion.

Youth and education

We are committed to our youth by increasing funding to Richmond Public Schools, expanding out-of-school time youth programming, and funding new school construction and facility upgrades.

This budget acknowledges and addresses some of our current challenges brought on by inflation and higher interest rates, which impact many priority areas from housing, employee salaries, and construction costs of city facilities and schools. However, we will continue to meet and exceed the expectations of our residents as we embrace the challenges of our future. Highlights include:

 $21.1 million increase in local contribution for Richmond Public Schools.

 $200.0 million for school construction and $15.0 million to rebuild Fox Elementary.

 $50.0 million for Affordable Housing over the next five years.

 $1.75 million in new funding for homeless services and an emergency shelter.

 $800,000 for the Eviction Diversion Program.

 $21.0 million for traffic calming, sidewalks, and Complete Streets.

 $8.5 million for citywide parks improvements.

 $800,000 to expand hours at Richmond Public Libraries.

 $2.0 million for the Enslaved African Heritage Campus in Shockoe Bottom.

 $6.0 million for the Southside Community Center.

 $14.5 million for an 8.0% General Wage Increase and $18.00 per hour minimum wage for city employees.

 $5.7 million for a step increase and 3.0% step plan adjustment for police officers and firefighters.

 $500,000 for a language incentive for employees.

 $650,000 for employee tuition assistance program.

Frequently Asked Budget Questions

What is the General Fund?

The General Fund supports the day-to-day operations of the city. It is the primary operating fund for all revenues and expenditures that are not accounted for in specific purpose funds.

What is an Enterprise Fund?

Enterprise funds generate revenue through user fees. These funds are usually self-supporting and must raise enough revenue for operations and capital improvement projects.

What is the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)?

The CIP is used to strategically invest in, and construct facilities and infrastructure throughout the city. A capital project usually involves land acquisition, construction, maintenance, or renovations. A project will result in a physical asset such as a school building.

Where Does the Money Go?

How are City Services Funded?

Property taxes, permits, fees

Fees charged to users Enterprise Fund

Daily governmental operations and services

Libraries, Police, Fire General Fund

Self-supporting operations financed through fees

Revenues received in service delivery Special Revenue Designated for specific purposes

Charges between city departments and partners

Debt and cash

Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Internal Service Funds

Capital Projects Improvement Fund

Grants (Special Revenue)

Expenditures between city departments and partners

Buy property, build and renovate facilities

Support public services, housing and economic development

*The first four sources make up the city’s operating budget.

How do I get involved in the budget process?

Connect with us through:

✓ Citizen surveys

✓ Community town halls held by the Mayor

Water, Wastewater, Parking Facilities

Special Assessment Districts

Healthcare, Fleet Management, IT

Construction of schools, libraries

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

✓ District meetings held by the representative city council member

✓ City Council meetings

Budget by Category

Budget breakdown: The total Adopted FY 2024 Budget is $3.0 billion, of which $951.9 million is General Fund:

Going from FY 2023 to FY 2024

The largest change in the budget is due to nondiscretionary expenses, meaning that these bills have to be paid. These include contracts, utilities, retirement, and employee health care.

 Total growth is 10.9% (less transfers).

 59.0%, or $66.4 million, of the growth is non-discretionary and transfers.

 Local contribution to Richmond Public Schools is the second largest expenditure.

 Employee salary increases and benefits are third.

Investing in Our Children

Richmond Public Schools

Investing in schools is the key to improved academic performance. With the inclusion of FY 2024 funding, the city contribution for Richmond Public Schools has increased almost 70.0% over the last 10 years. Specifically, FY 2024 includes:

 $21.1 million more in local contribution is included for Richmond Public Schools for a total of$221.5 million

Addressing Richmond Public Schools’ Capital Needs

 $200.0 million in school construction, including building George Wythe High School.

 $2.5 million for school capital maintenance.

 $15.0 million to rebuild Fox Elementary

Supporting Children and Families

Building Strong Futures

Beyond the school day, afterschool programming provides positive outlets for youth. These opportunities promote improved educational outcomes, skill development, and workforce readiness. The city is dedicated to improving youth outcomes, with investments in targeted programming.

 $1.0 million for the community based Positive Youth Development Program through Nextup RVA.

 $1.0 million for new communitycenter-based afterschool programs, where kids can participate in sports and games, cultural enrichment, character building, community involvement, homework assistance, health and wellness education, leadership development, STEM programs, and outdoor recreation.

 $400,000 for the YMCA of Greater Richmond Help1RVA program for social navigation needs.

 $244,000 for We Matter RVA to work with youth and gun violence prevention. The program provides positive youth development opportunities, and a financial incentive, to children who have either witnessed gun violence firsthand or who have family members who have perpetrated gun violence.

 Over $500,000 to support the Trauma Healing Response Network

 $1.7 million to support the Pathways Program that funds community college access for Richmond Public School graduates.

Increasing Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing

Like many cities, Richmond is experiencing a housing crisis. To ensure residents have adequate access to housing, a diverse set of funding options are provided:

 $50.0 million over five years to support the development of new Affordable Housing units and an overarching strategy focused on ensuring neighborhoods will be comprised of quality sustainable and affordable housing options for all residents, and well-maintained commercial corridors that offer an array of retail and professional services.

 $500,000 to expand Manufactured and Alternative Housing options.

Eviction Diversion Program

$800,000 continues the Eviction Diversion Program. Evictions lead to housing instability, job loss, and school mobility. This program helps divert evictions through financial resources, outreach, and education. Intensive services support families who are working toward financial sufficiency and housing sustainability.

Family Crisis Fund

 $2.0 million to help eligible families with outstanding bills and other financial challenges.

Emergency Homeless Shelter

 $1.8 million to support a year-round emergency shelter. This is in addition to the over $4.5 million recently invested to serve those experiencing homelessness.

 Over $100,000 to support Homeless Services, doubling service capacity.

Building a Safe City

Investing in Public Safety Infrastructure

To ensure a safe city requires support from a broad public safety infrastructure. Stations, vehicles, and apparatus are foundational elements safety personnel use to keep residents safe in their homes and neighborhoods. To support these efforts, the Adopted FY 2024 Budget includes:

 $14.0 million for the General Capital Maintenance Program to fund capital improvements to police precincts, the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, and fire stations.

 $15.0 million to replace Fire Station 21.

 $10.0 million is allocated to replace the First Police Precinct

 $10.0 million for fire apparatus, police vehicles, and refuse trucks.

Building and Maintaining Roads and Community Infrastructure Complete Streets

$21.0 million is included for the Complete Streets program. Complete Streets is a transportation policy and design approach that requires safe, accessible, and comfortable travel for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation.

 $1.1 million for street lighting. New street lighting will be constructed at various locations based on the requests of citizens, the Police Department, and the Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division. This also funds a pilot project to upgrade city street lighting to LED.

 $985,000 for new traffic control signals.

Improving Greenspaces

Richmond Public Parks

Richmond is home to more than 170 parks, open spaces, athletic fields, playgrounds, and tot lots. This includes the 550-acre James River Parks System, which has been rated one of the top municipal parks in the United States. The Adopted FY 2024 Budget includes $8.5 million for park improvements, including projects in:

 Bryan Park

 Fonticello Park

 Humphrey Calder Community Center

 James River Parks System

 New Parks Onboarding

 Maymont

 Smith Peters Park

 Westover Hills Community Center

 Broad Rock Park

 Whitcomb Court

Building a Connected City

Parks, Recreation, Community Facilities

The city continues to invest in community spaces to ensure meeting and gathering places to support vibrant neighborhoods. Community facilities offer an array of recreational, cultural, and service opportunities. To expand these services:

 $6.0 million is included to build the Southside Community Center.

 $1.0 million for building and facility maintenance in parks, recreation, and community centers, and $200,000 to the Office of Children and Families to help close the accessibility gap for out-of-school time youth programs.

 $2.0 million is included for the development of the Enslaved African Heritage Campus at Shockoe Bottom, for the purpose of acquiring land for, planning, designing, and constructing a multi-use enslaved African cultural and heritage park-like campus.

 $200,000 to revamp and revive the History and Culture Commission. The commission’ s early work will center around memorializing enslaved African heritage and assisting the work of the Monument Avenue Commission.

Making Sustainable Investments

Continued Commitment to Climate Action

RVAgreen 2050 is the city’s equity-centered climate action and resilience planning initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45.0% by 2030, achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and help the community adapt to Richmond’s climate impacts of extreme heat, precipitation, and flooding.

Renewable energy keeps the skies clear and the city clean. To encourage residents to choose green energy, the city is switching to renewable energy, such as solar or wind power. To promote these efforts:

 $440,000 is dedicated to ensure 50.0% of the city’s electricity usage will be from renewable energy

Maintaining City Service

Libraries

The Richmond Public Library's facilities provide learning opportunities for all stages of an individual’s growth to inform, enrich, and empower residents. To expand library services:

 $800,000 is included for libraries. This money will expand service levels at Broad Rock, Main, Ginter, and West End libraries to ensure everyone from early readers to senior citizens can access these important community resources. With this investment, more Sunday library hours will now be available than prior to the pandemic.

Public Transportation

Since the pandemic public transportation has been free to all residents, ensuring everyone can get where they need to go. To continue this investment:

 $8.9 million has been set aside to support the Greater Richmond Transit Company to keep public transit free for the next year.

Improving Customer Service

$3.1 million invested in RVA Pay. Over the next year, the city’ s customer-facing payment systems are getting a facelift. New software will allow access to accounts, to pay bills online, and get usage, balances, and payment history.

Making Sustainable Investments

Becoming an Employer of Choice

An “Employer of Choice” offers a fantastic work culture and workplace environment that attracts talented and motivated individuals, responds to employee concerns, invests in professional development, ensures accountability to both employees and stakeholders, and offers diverse benefit options and competitive compensation. To build our effective team of public servants, the City of Richmond is leading the way with employee initiatives:

In FY 2024 we are increasing the minimum wage to $18.00 an hour for our employees. By providing $18.00 an hour, the City of Richmond offers one of the highest minimum wages among cities in the Commonwealth: $6.00 more than the state minimum and more than double the federal minimum wage. The $18.00 minimum and 8.0% General Wage Increase totals $14.5 million.

 $1.4 million in ARPA funds is used to establish a first-time homebuyers’ assistance program for eligible city employees who want to live within the city limits.

 $500,000 is included for an employee language incentive. This ensures we recognize our dedicated public servants who do double duty as interpreters.

 $650,000 for an employee tuition assistance program.

 The compensation reform announced last year is moving forward. The results will identify classification gaps, develop career ladders, encourage professional development, and create competitive pay structures.

Sworn Pay increases

 $5.7 million for a step increase and 3.0% step plan adjustment for Sworn employees. This will result in over a 5.0% increase for most officers and firefighters.

Mayor Levar Stoney

City Council Members

Council President Michael J. Jones, District 9

Council Vice President Kristen M. Nye, District 4

Council Member Andreas D. Addison, District 1

Council Member Katherine Jordan, District 2

Council Member Ann-Frances Lambert, District 3

Council Member Stephanie A. Lynch, District 5

Council Member Ellen F. Robertson, District 6

Council Member Cynthia I. Newbille, District 7

Council Member Reva M. Trammell, District 8

Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders

Questions? Email AskBudget@rva.gov

FY 2024 Budget Calendar

Council Budget Briefing

Council Budget Public Hearing

Council Budget Final Amendments

Council Budget Adoption and Public Hearing

March 6, 2023, 3:00 p.m.

March 29, 2023, 6:00 p.m.

April 24, 2023, 6:00 p.m.

May 8, 2023, 6:00 p.m.

Council Budget Work Sessions: Feb. 27, 2023, Mar. 13, 2023, Mar. 20, 2023, Apr, 3, 2023, Apr. 10, 2023, Apr. 12, 2023

This Budget in Brief includes the highlights of the Adopted FY 2024 Budget. For additional details, please visit the city’s website www.rva.gov or go to https://www.rva.gov/index.php/budget-and-strategic-planning/budget-documents to view information about the budget or to read the adopted budget document.