Program goals are to help residents with delinquent taxes get into payment plans and reduce abandoned and blighted properties

Richmond, VA — Mayor Danny Avula and CAO Odie Donald II today announced that the City of Richmond is relaunching the Real Estate Tax Sale Program as part of its commitment to consistent and responsible tax administration. The Real Estate Tax Sale Program gives the City an important tool to collect delinquent real estate taxes and address abandoned and blighted properties, while supporting residents in resolving delinquent taxes and staying in their homes. 

In Virginia, a tax sale program is a legal process where a locality may take possession of a tax-delinquent property and put that property up for auction in an effort to recover those delinquent property taxes. It is one of the final steps in the delinquent tax collection process and is only used once all other options have been exhausted. 

Properties only become eligible for a real estate tax sale after: 

1. Taxes have remained unpaid for two full calendar years (or one year, if the property is deemed blighted, a public nuisance or derelict) 
2. Multiple notices and outreach efforts have been made, and  
3. The property meets the legal requirements established under Virginia law 

Over the past year, through June 30, 2026, the City reduced delinquent real estate taxes from $27.4 million to $14.2 million through strong collection efforts, a reduction of $13.2 million. 

After FY 2026 taxes came due, the delinquent balance then increased to about $24.2 million as of August 31, 2026. That increase reflects the addition of a new tax year, not lost ground.  

Of the $24.2 million currently delinquent, $5.4 million has passed the two-year statutory threshold and are now eligible for tax sale. Currently, Currently, 85 properties have been identified for potential tax sale, pending a review to confirm whether they meet all of the legal requirements for referral to tax sale. 

The remaining $18.8 million is not yet eligible for tax sale. That amount includes FY 2025 accounts ($5.7 million), which will not reach eligibility until after December 31, 2026, as well as FY 2026 accounts ($13.1 million) which will not reach eligibility until after December 31, 2027. These property owners still have time to enter payment plans, resolve their balances, and avoid the tax sale process.  

The relaunch of the Real Estate Tax Sale Program adds another tool to the City’s collection efforts for properties that meet the legal requirements for tax sale. “We have a responsibility to Richmond taxpayers to consistently enforce our tax laws and to work compassionately with residents who are struggling to pay,” said Mayor Danny Avula . “Our goal is to help property owners get into payment plans, and resolve delinquent taxes, whenever possible, while also addressing abandoned and blighted properties.” 

“The Real Estate Tax Sale Program is part of a broader effort to strengthen consistent, fair, and responsible administration tax collection,” said CAO Odie Donald II . “Building on our continued focus on improved service to residents, we are enhancing support and access points for Richmond property owners. This relaunch represents both a strengthening of processes and an expansion of efforts to make compliance options even more accessible.” 

"The City is committed to working with taxpayers to pay any tax liability if they reach out to us. The Tax Sale program only exists for a small group of properties that go well beyond a workable and reasonable timeframe for compliance,” said Ken Martinez, Director of Revenue Administration . “It ensures fairness in administration of taxes in Richmond and should give positive results in the City’s wider efforts to address delinquent taxes and collection." 

The City’s Department of Finance works in partnership with the City Attorney’s Office to administer the tax sales program. The City expects its first annual tax sale around June 2027, with an official relaunch timeframe of November 2027. Outreach efforts will take place before then with property owners with delinquent taxes.  

Richmond property owners with questions about delinquent real estate taxes can call 311, or visit go.rva.gov/taxsales for more information.  

This weekend, Richmond lost an incredible leader, laborer, and friend. Jim Ukrop’s influence on the greater Richmond community has been profound. At a time when many business leaders found it easier to disengage from the city and its issues, Jim believed deeply in the importance of Richmond, and poured his time, energy, and resources into charting its course for the future.

I spent more than a decade on the Communities In Schools Board with Jim. I got to see firsthand his passion for supporting our school system and investing in our teachers, students, and families. In fact, Jim was one of the very first people to suggest to me that I should consider running for mayor one day—almost 12 years ago! While the idea seemed completely preposterous to me at the time, in this, and so many other things, Jim could often see what others could not. Richmond is a better city for it.

Jim poured himself into countless efforts, always helping open doors for others, and has had a tremendous hand in helping create the growing, vibrant Richmond of today. We celebrate a life well lived, and trust that Jim’s legacy of engagement, generosity, and compassion will inspire the next generation of community leaders in our city.

The Richmond Fire Department (RFD) announced today that it is discontinuing a temporary staffing measure that allowed three of its fire companies to operate with three-person crews instead of four during periods of low staffing. Effective Monday, October 12, the department will return to its standard staffing model of four-person crews. 

The temporary measure had been in place to maintain emergency response coverage during periods when RFD’s overall staffing fell below required levels. 

This change was made possible through the support of Mayor Danny Avula and Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II, who worked with RFD to develop a plan that restored four-person crews across all companies.  

“Richmond Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 995, is pleased to announce in cooperation with Mayor Avula, CAO Donald, Fire Chief Segal, and Councilmembers Dr. Newbille, Reva Trammell, and Sarah Abubaker, that the Richmond Fire Department is back to full staffing, with four firefighters on every truck, every day,” said Keith Andes, President of IAFF Local 995. “We couldn't do this without the citizens of Richmond, and we're honored to have your trust.”  

“Returning to full staffing across every company is good news for our firefighters and our residents,” said Richmond Fire Chief Jeffrey Segal. “I want to thank Mayor Danny Avula and CAO Odie Donald II for their continued investment in strengthening our public safety infrastructure. I would also like to thank the men and women of the Richmond Fire Department for their continued dedication and professionalism throughout this process.” 

“The mark of a well-run city begins with ensuring departments have what they need to operate effectively, "said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. “Our fire department plays a critical role in keeping this city safe; continuously investing in better apparatus, quality stations, and moving toward optimum staffing levels is how we can support the best-in-class service they provide to Richmonders day in and day out.”  

“Strong city services depend on our departments working together to address challenges and find practical solutions,” Mayor Danny Avula said in a statement. “I appreciate the work that CAO Donald, Chief Segal, and teams did to identify a path forward for our fire department and make this transition possible. I am grateful for the incredible firefighters who protect and serve Richmonders day in and day out.” 

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention, in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer and The Richmond Police Department, will host Bingo, Beats & Safer Streets, a nine-week community engagement series designed specifically for Richmond's older adult population.

The series combines bingo, music, guided dance and movement, safety education, and City resources in a fun and welcoming environment. 

"Building relationships with older residents starts with showing up in ways that feel comfortable and familiar," said Richmond Police Department Program and Operations Supervisor Dargenaba Anderson. "This series gives us that opportunity to create genuine moments of trust and understanding. Efforts like this help ensure older community members have the support, resources, and reassurance they need." 

Each event features a DJ, bingo with prizes, opportunities to interact, and brief informational segments from City departments and community partners. 

We want to take the time to inform, educate and keep the city residents aware on the latest topics happening around the city,” said Office of Neighborhood Engagement Manager Timika Vincent. “The series will cover topics including Code Refresh, property taxes, internet and phone safety, aging and disability initiatives, and the upcoming budget townhall meetings. All are invited to these series to learn more about safety.” 

The Fall 2026 series will kick-off on Thursday September 24 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The series will continue each Thursday, at the same time, until November 19, 2026.  

"Our seniors have built this city. That’s why we are committed to providing practical access to resources to reach these prized residents in ways that feel natural and supportive,” said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. “The City is excited to collaborate with an array of partners to support some of our longstanding residents and trailblazers."

All community members are welcome to join.  

Fall Schedule 2026:

September 24 | Hotchkiss Field Community Center, 701 E. Brookland Park 

October 1 | Armstrong Renaissance, 1665 N 31st St

October 8 | RRHA, 1920 Stonewall Ave

October 15 | Imperial Plaza, 1717 Bellevue Ave

October 22 | T.B. Smith Comm Center, 2015 Ruffin Rd

October 29 | Baker, 100 W Baker St

November 5 | Southside Comm Center, 6251 Warwick Rd

November 12 | Randolph Comm Center, 1415 Grayland Ave

November 19 | Dominion Place, 1025 W Grace St

Hey Richmond, It’s your Mayor, Danny 

As mayor, my primary responsibility is the safety and wellbeing of Richmond Residents. 

As it relates to public safety, there are so many things we have gotten right –  

• community policing 
• neighborhood association partnerships 
• critical incident briefings about officer-involved shootings 
• cracking down on unregulated vape shops through Operation Vaporize 
• double digit reductions in major crimes... 

the list goes on  

Over the last year, the issue of how we use License Plate Reader Technology, and particularly our relationship with a company called Flock has been an increasing issue of public concern, here in Richmond, and across the nation.   

I have been very consistent about saying that our choice to use this technology is because i believe the benefits to public safety outweigh the risks it poses to our community 

But I have also been very consistent about saying that it is not a closed issue, and that I will always remain open to hearing from the people of Richmond on it   

I think the shift in public sentiment around Flock, particularly acute in the last couple of months, requires us to reevaluate our relationship with Flock. 

I don’t know exactly what that looks like right now, but I want to figure that out, together, with Richmonders, with our City Council, and with our partners in the State Legislature.  

I wanted to reassure you all that this is a topic I am thinking about regularly, and share with you a bit about how I'm thinking about this. 

Here are some things I believe:  

I believe that Flock, and automatic license plate reader – or ALPR -  technology in general, is a legitimately useful tool that the Richmond Police Department uses to help keep our communities safe and solve crimes. 

I believe that there are real privacy concerns with both ALPR technology generally and with Flock, Richmond’s current vendor 

I believe, in Richmond, the communities who actually benefit most from this technology are often those who are disproportionately impacted by violent crime. 

I believe that people of color can often be over-policed and over-surveilled. 

I believe that the City of Richmond, and RPD, have been leaders in adopting and following the guardrails set out by the Commonwealth 

I believe that, if we’re going to use this technology, we've got to have the proper guardrails in place, and we must be transparent with the public when those guardrails are violated. 

I believe that at the state level, the Commonwealth of Virginia is an important partner in protecting the privacy of residents. My team and I will continue to advocate for that at the General Assembly this year. 

And I believe this is a complex issue that people feel strongly about across the board. My job is to keep people safe, to listen well to our communities, and to navigate this thoughtfully.  

So here’s what I’m committing to do.  

First, we’re going to review the technology itself and our relationship with Flock. That includes exploring other options and asking whether there are other technology vendors that can provide the public safety benefits we need while better addressing the concerns some Richmonders have raised; we still have another year on the contract so I will need some time on that 

Second, we’re going to listen and learn.  In the coming weeks, I plan to gather resident feedback in a variety of forums. It’s important to me that we hear from a broad cross-section of Richmonders, as well as our elected City Council.  

Third, we will take another look at our oversight and transparency, including whether an independent third party should come in and look at our current policies and procedures.  

Fourth, effective immediately, I am directing that RPD reduce their ALPR data retention policy from its current 21 days down to 7 days. 

What I hear and learn in this listening process will inform our path forward.   

Appreciate you all taking the time to listen to this, more to come soon.