The City of Richmond, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, has expanded the localized Boil Water Advisory immediately and until further notice. This expansion now impacts residents served by the Cofer Road Tank on the Southside of the City, which includes residents in the orange area of the map below.

This map includes (among others) residents living in communities or portions of Commerce Road and Richmond Highway corridors, including communities of Ancarrow’s Landing, Bellemeade, Blackwell, Commerce Road Industrial Area, Hillside Court, Davee Gardens, Manchester, Oak Grove, and Windsor (NOT Windsor Farms).

The map adds to those covered in the prior announcement which includes (among others) Byrd Park, Brookland Park, Carver, Carytown, Chamberlayne, the Fan, Ginter Park, Jackson Ward, Laburnum Park, the Museum District, the North Side, Oregon Hill, Randolph, Scott’s Addition, VCU’s Monroe Park campus, and parts of the city center. (Please note Windsor Farms was incorrectly included in the prior announcement).

Some customers in these areas may experience a total loss of water service, while others may experience varying degrees of loss in water pressure. Impacted residents are encouraged to take conservation steps immediately, and boil water before consuming it. The list of impacted residents may continue to expand as water usage continues; residents in all neighborhoods are encouraged to conserve water and to stay up-to-date at rva.gov or on the City’s social media pages.

This advisory comes after the City’s Water Treatment Plant experienced an operational issue in the early morning hours on Tuesday, May 27, and after the water system had been restored to full production. The filters reclogged after running at full production for over an hour. The resulting issue diminished pressure in the distribution system and has impacted the Ginter Park Tank, which provides water to residents in the area shaded in orange on the map. However, officials continue to monitor the timeline to restore the affected tank to full water pressure and will issue additional updates or advisories if needed.

As a cautionary measure, ALL residents are asked to conserve water to ensure all needs are met during this time. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates to our customers as new information becomes available.

City officials remain in close contact with the Virginia Department of Health to assess and remedy the situation. Once the water pressure is back to normal in the impacted areas, Department of Public Utilities personnel will begin the process of flushing the system and subsequently lifting the Advisory. 

The City will communicate new information as it becomes available thr­­­ough rva.gov and its social media pages (@rvagov on Instagram and on Facebook). 

 Below is a checklist for safe water use during this time:  

• Do not drink tap water during this boil water alert.  
• Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities.  
• Do not use ice made from water today. Discard the ice and sanitize the ice machine and/or ice trays.  
• Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks. 
• Do not wash your dishes using tap water – use boiled water or use paper plates.
• Do not wash your fruits and vegetables with tap water – use boiled or bottled water. 
• Do not brush your teeth with tap water -- use boiled or bottled water.  
• Do not cook with tap water, unless your food will be boiled vigorously for three minutes. 

 Temporary water conservation tips: 

• Eliminate or shorten shower times. 
• Avoid unnecessary toilet flushes. 
• Avoid washing clothes for as long as possible. 
• Postpone washing dishes if possible. 
• Check all faucets, shower heads and under cabinets for drips. 

Please share this information with everyone in your household, local friends and family, and others who may have not received this advisory directly.

Mayor Avula and City Council remain in close communication. City Council leadership is being provided regular updates and is on site in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Resources

• More updates from the City of Richmond: go.rva.gov/water-0527
• For more information on boil water advisories, visit the Virginia Department of Health Boil Water FAQs (click on “Information for Consumers”).
• Impacted food service establishments should visit the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts’ guidance page (rhhd.gov/bwa-fse) for next steps.

The City of Richmond is proud to announce the launch of the fourth cohort of the Richmond Resilience Initiative (RRI) Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Program. Starting today, eligible residents can apply to receive $500 per month for 24 months — no strings attached.

Launched in 2020 by the Office of Community Wealth Building (OCWB) and the Robins Foundation, the Richmond Resilience Initiative is a local Guaranteed Basic Income program aimed at reducing financial instability for working families. RRI is a member of a growing national movement that includes Mayors for a Guaranteed Income founded by former Stockton, California Mayor Michael Tubbs, to demonstrate the power of direct, unrestricted cash assistance in helping families achieve greater financial independence and reduce stress.

This cohort will focus on supporting single parents, including guardians with custody, stepparents, foster parents, and others who serve as the primary caregivers in their households.

OCWB found that residents participating in the RRI program have used their monthly payments to meet essential needs, pay down debt, invest in education, and create stability for their families. This is just one example of how the City of Richmond is committed to advancing anti-poverty efforts.

“In Richmond, we believe everyone has a right to thrive, not just survive. The Richmond Resilience Initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a city where families have the stability and support they need to build a better future. This is about trust, dignity, and ensuring our residents have the resources to move forward with confidence,” said Mayor Danny Avula.

To check for eligibility and apply, City of Richmond residents can visit go.rva.gov/rri-2025. The application period is open through June 30, 2025.

For more information or questions, please contact the RRI team at rri@rva.gov.

May 23, 2025

Impacted taxpayers can call the lender to verify payment in 10-14 days

Richmond, VA — Today, the City of Richmond's Department of Finance completed sending real estate tax bills to mortgage lenders. For taxpayers whose lenders typically pay the bill on their behalf, no further action is required. Taxpayers who directly pay their real estate tax bill should do so before June 16.

Once lenders receive the bill, they will typically remit payment to the City of Richmond within one business week. Taxpayers can call their lender to verify payment in 10-14 days.

If you have already paid your real estate tax bill and your lender also pays this year's bill, you can request a refund from the Department of Finance by following the below steps:

1. Visit rva311.com
2. Search for "real estate" in the search box
3. Tap "Real Estate Taxes" in the "Create a Request" menu that pops up
4. Tap "Continue" in the Real Estate Taxes overview screen
5. Fill out the form as follows:
   • Subtype: "Refund"
   • Inquiry for current year or prior year?: "Current Year"
   • Requesting research or real estate payment refund?: "Refund Request"
   • Description or Justification for Request: E.g. "I paid my real estate tax bill and so did my lender. I would like to request a refund."
   • Upload Images: If possible upload an image of your payment and an image of your bank's payment.

If you need assistance with any of these steps, please call 311.

Mayor Danny Avula has also committed to bringing in an external expert to review the Department of Finance's processes and procedures. Additionally, the City is planning to update impacted taxpayers directly via mail and/or email as soon as possible.

Departamento de Finanzas realiza el envío de facturas de impuestos sobre bienes raíces a compañías hipotecarias

Los contribuyentes afectados pueden llamar a su compañía hipotecaria para verificar el pago dentro de 10 a 14 días

Richmond, Virginia — Hoy, el Departamento de Finanzas de la Ciudad de Richmond completó el envío de facturas de impuestos sobre bienes raíces a las compañías hipotecarias. Para los contribuyentes cuyas compañías hipotecarias generalmente pagan la factura en su nombre, no se requiere que tomen ninguna acción adicional. Los contribuyentes que pagan directamente su factura de impuestos sobre bienes raíces deben hacerlo antes del 16 de junio.

vez que las compañías hipotecarias reciben la factura, generalmente remitirán el pago a la ciudad de Richmond dentro de una semana hábil. Los contribuyentes pueden llamar a su compañía para verificar el pago dentro de 10 a 14 días.

Si ya ha pagado su factura de impuestos sobre bienes raíces y su compañía hipotecaria también paga la factura de este año, puede solicitar un reembolso al Departamento de Finanzas, llamando al 311 o 804-646-7000 y oprima 2 para atención en español.

El alcalde Danny Avula también se ha comprometido a traer a un experto externo para revisar los procesos y procedimientos del Departamento de Finanzas. Además, la Ciudad proporcionará información actualizada a los contribuyentes afectados a través de comunicaciones por correo postal y/o correo electrónico lo antes posible.

May 23, 2025

DCAO Sharon Ebert to Serve as Acting CAO

Today, Mayor Danny Avula announced his nomination of Sharon Ebert to serve as Acting Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). She currently serves as the Deputy CAO (DCAO) for Planning & Economic Development.

Ebert manages several City agencies including Housing & Community Development, Economic Development, Planning & Development Review, Minority Business Development, and the Office of Sustainability. Under Ms. Ebert's tenure with Richmond, she has overseen the adoption of the Richmond 300 – A Guide for Growth and helped guide the re-organization of the City's Permitting and Inspection Bureau. Ms. Ebert has been instrumental in orchestrating the redevelopment of the city-owned 67-acre Diamond District, as well as the planning and redevelopment of the City Center Innovation District. She has over 40 years of professional experience in design, construction, urban planning, affordable housing, and economic development. She joined the City of Richmond in March 2019.

City Council will vote on her confirmation at its scheduled June 9th meeting.

"Sharon has a whip-smart, encyclopedic knowledge of what makes cities work," said Mayor Danny Avula. "I'm so thankful she's willing to step in for a short time before our new CAO officially starts. I know we're in good hands."

Henrico's Deputy County Manager for Administration to Serve as Richmond's Acting DCAO of Finance & Administration

On loan from Henrico County, W. Brandon Hinton will serve as the City's Acting DCAO for Finance & Administration.

Hinton is Henrico County's Deputy County Manager for Administration. He began his decades-long career of public service with Henrico County as an entry-level budget analyst in 2003, was named Director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2012, and was promoted to his current role in 2018.

Hinton will return to the County later this summer.

"When I reached out to the County Manager to see if he'd be open to loaning us Brandon for a couple of months, he had absolutely zero hesitation. His willingness to lend a hand and Brandon's willingness to serve his neighbors in Richmond are a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together," said Mayor Danny Avula.

Sabrina Joy-Hogg currently serves as Richmond's Interim CAO and DCAO of Finance & Administration and will do so until her last day with the City on June 6.

Mark your calendars: June 6

After a competitive national search, Mayor Danny Avula will introduce Richmond to his CAO appointee on June 6. City Council will vote on confirmation of the nominee at Council's meeting on June 9.

"Richmond, get excited! I cannot wait for you to meet your new CAO! You're going to love them, and we're going to do great things together," said Mayor Danny Avula. "I promised to conduct national search for a top-talent CAO, I've kept that promise, and I know this one is a home run."

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

An Interim CAO and Interim DCAO of Finance and Administration will be appointed in the coming weeks.

Richmond, VA — Today, Interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sabrina Joy-Hogg announced that she will resign from the City of Richmond effective June 6. An Interim CAO and Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) of Finance & Administration will be appointed in the coming weeks. The national search for a permanent CAO is in the final stage with the candidate soon to be announced.

Joy-Hogg joined the City of Richmond in 2022 and led the work toward achieving the City's first-ever AAA bond rating. She leaves a legacy that include many improvements toward making Richmond an employer of choice, particularly the Marathon Health clinic which provides easy-to-access—and often free—health services to City staff. Her experience in municipal governments in Hampton, Norfolk, and Charlotte have been a great asset in the City's budgetary processes.

"As I prepare to close this chapter, I do so with immense pride in what we've achieved together. From raising the City's minimum wage and successfully transitioning to the Virginia Retirement System, to creating a $10 million capital improvement fund, and developing a bond strategy to expand affordable housing, we've made lasting improvements. We made history by recognizing International Women's Day as a City holiday—the first in the nation to do so. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I leave with deep gratitude and full confidence in the extraordinary path ahead," said Interim CAO Sabrina Joy-Hogg.

"Sabrina's dedication to achieving a balanced budget and her institutional knowledge were a tremendous help in the early months of my administration. I'm thankful for her dedication over these past five months and wish her continued success in her new role," said Mayor Danny Avula.