“The approved budget reflects not just shared investments, but a new way of working together — with earlier collaboration, clearer public engagement, and a real commitment to partnership between City Council, our administration, and the people of Richmond. Together, we made historic investments in affordable housing, funded Richmond Public Schools at record levels, supported our workforce, and focused our resources on building a thriving Richmond. I'm truly grateful to all who leaned in throughout this process. Now the real work begins: delivering on these investments thoughtfully, effectively, and with accountability to the people we serve.”

— Mayor Danny Avula 

Highlights of the adopted FY27 budget: 

Thriving City Hall  

• Fully funding the City of Richmond’s contractual commitments to unionized City workers, with the largest of those investments being in public safety
• Sworn police and fire personnel will receive an average compensation increase of approximately 6.73%, which includes negotiated pay adjustments and step increases effective July 2026
• Union-represented employees across other collective bargaining units will receive a 3.25% salary increase, consistent with their agreements, effective July 2026
• Fully funding a 3.25% increase for all employees across the organization starting on July 1; this was made possible by a joint Administration-Council reprioritization of previous allocation to GAP grants
• Increased contracted security workers’ pay rate to $20/hour minimum and moved contracted janitorial workers to $18/hour minimum without disrupting their staffing model 

Thriving Neighborhoods  

• More than $40 million for affordable housing, anti-displacement strategies, and neighborhood safety improvements  
• $11.7 million for the redesigned Affordable Housing Trust Fund  
• $1.8 million in Affordable Housing Performance Grants  
• $1,100,000 investment in Family Crisis Funds for residents experiencing acute crises, including but not limited to housing instability, utility disconnection, food insecurity, and other urgent needs 
• $1 million for eviction diversion programs to help tenants stay in their homes, and  
• $7.4 million in tax relief for older adults and residents with disabilities  
• Council amendment ($300,000) to more fully utilize Southside Community Center and better engage youth and older adults  

Thriving Families  

• $257 million proposed for Richmond Public Schools, an $8.2 million increase over FY26 and the largest allocation for RPS ever 
• $9.3 million investment school infrastructure improvements and facility upgrades 
• $500,000 to facilitate students’ and families’ access to critical services, benefits, and programs by supporting Communities in Schools site coordinators in RPS schools
• $500,000 to reduce costs of childcare and support childcare providers through tuition assistance funded by the Early Child Care & Education Trust Fund
• $1 million for after-school programming at all seven RPS zone middle schools through the Middle School Alliance
• $850,000 to Positive Youth Development to provide access to community-based out-of-school time opportunities for youth 11-19 and help prevent youth violence; and
• $625,000 to fund the Children and Families grantmaking process for local nonprofits that support the education, health, and development of children and families
• $483,000 in order to provide transportation and security for RPS students to participate in After School programs; Council amended 

Thriving Economies  

• $4.9 million for Economic Performance Grants to support major economic development projects that create jobs, activate underused spaces, and drive long-term economic growth
• $250,000 for commercial façade improvements to help small businesses invest in storefront upgrades that strengthen neighborhood commercial corridors and attract customers; and
• $125,000 in funding to support a Business Improvement District (BID) in Carytown, strengthening business vitality through cleaner sidewalks, safer streets, and coordinated support for local businesses. 

The FY27 budget takes effect July 1, 2026. 

• For more information about the FY27 budget process, visit FY27 Budget Season 
• Budget in Brief: (A Brief) Roadmap to a Thriving Richmond