Richmond approves over $3 billion 2026 budget during contentious meeting

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Despite many councilmembers voicing concerns about the budget process, Richmond City Council voted to approve the city's over $3 billion budget for 2026.

On Monday, May 12, the council voted 6 to 2 in favor of approving an amended budget proposal totaling about $3.03 billion.

This includes over $1 billion for Richmond's general fund and nearly $550 million for capital improvement projects.

An overview of the FY2026 budget's contents

Highlights of this budget include about $285 million for Richmond Public Schools, $60 million in investments for the city's water treatment plant, $50 million for affordable housing and $21 million in paving improvements through the "Complete Streets" program.

Several investments will be made in Richmond's parks, such as $11 million for the Fall Line Trail, $10.1 million to fund a "multi-use cultural heritage campus in Shockhoe Bottom," $6 million for Brown's Island and more.

Richmond School Board weighs proposed budget cuts

City staff will also receive raises through this budget, with $18.6 million being allocated to fund 3.25% salary increases for eligible general employees. Sworn police officers and firefighters will receive raises averaging about 10.3%, the city said.

“The annual budget is a product of hard work, shared priorities, dedication and commitment to responsible governance,” said Mayor Danny Avula and council president Cynthia Newbille in a joint press release issued after the vote. “We thank all Richmond City Administration personnel and Richmond City Council Staff for their experience, expertise, diligence and shepherding throughout the year-long budget process.”

Criticisms of the budget, the budget-making process

However, this budget was heavily criticized by those attending Monday's meeting, as well as multiple city councilmembers.

Only one resident spoke in favor of the budget, with all other speakers expressing their disapproval. This included several members of the organization Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities (RISC).

This group has been outspoken about an $800,000 sum that leaders said Avula promised to include in this 2026 budget. RISC said it needs the money to make critical repairs to mobile homes, including ones infested with rats.

$3 million to be allocated to these projects voted through Richmond People’s Budget

The city previously told 8News that Avula misspoke, saying he "confused" $800,000 of money already allocated to RISC in 2025 for a new budgeted line item.

When the public hearing on budget items closed on Monday, the council itself began to discuss the budget -- with several councilmembers expressing varying degrees of frustration with the budget-making process.

"I will be voting 'no' on this budget," said councilwoman Sarah Abubaker. "My vote today is not a rejection of the good in this budget, it is a rejection of the process and the system of this budget."

She said that the council was left with "only about $1.9 million to shape in a $3 million budget."

"That's why you all are here today," Abubaker said. "'Cause you're fighting over $1.9 million. That's what's wrong."

Richmond receives Notice of Alleged Violation from Virginia Department of Health for fluoride spike

Abubaker said that this is not a new problem, nor unique to Avula's administration. She added that she is grateful for Avula's support and willingness to have an "open dialogue" about the budget process.

Other councilmembers elaborated on how rushed the budget-making process had to be, with the timetable they were given.

"Councilmembers had less than two weeks to review and make amendments to a billion-dollar budget," councilwoman Kenya Gibson said. "The public hearing to weigh in on the mayor's proposal was scheduled after our amendments were due. There was a delay in publishing our amendments -- so the public even knew what possible changes were on the table -- and our work sessions allowed very little time for this body to do the work."

She went on to emphasize that this controversial budget comes at a time when the city itself is already under fire.

‘It needs to get fixed’: Lack of protocols led to tax rebate check fumble

"There is headline after headline which reflect undisputable dysfunction in our city," Gibson said. "And this body [city council,] I believe ... while our interests are good, we contribute to that dysfunction with a budget process that limits our ability to hear from the public and ultimately contribute to our work."

Gibson and Abubaker were the two "no" votes on the budget, with the remainder of the council voting in favor. The other councilmembers, while largely agreeing with their points, emphasized the valuable investments within the proposal.

"I will be supporting this budget, for the reasons that I said -- about the items that are to be celebrated," said councilman Andrew Breton. "I also fully respect the important message that it puts out to vote against it ... because of the major flaws in this process."

MORE FROM THIS MEETING: Richmond City Council appoints its new chief of staff

The council mentioned it was interested in reviewing its budgeting process and making changes at a later time.