Richmond leaders seek transparency as budget meeting turns tense

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A meeting intended to promote open dialogue about Richmond’s upcoming fiscal year budget quickly grew tense as city leaders debated how to plan without concrete financial numbers.

Mayor Danny Avula, Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald and members of the Richmond City Council gathered at the Hilton Hotel to outline priorities for Fiscal Year 2027.

The administration highlighted issues such as health equity challenges and the looming impact of declining federal funding. Leaders emphasized that the goal of the session was to establish a foundation for a more transparent and collaborative budgeting process.

But Third District Councilmember Kenya Gibson expressed frustration, saying transparency is difficult without accurate financial information.

“We’re never able to get accurate information to be able to make budgeting decisions,” Gibson said.

The conversation intensified when Gibson raised concerns about the delayed release of surplus figures from Fiscal Year 2025. A recent memo from the city administration estimated a $22 million surplus, but exact numbers are not expected until January.

“How is the administration going to deliver a budget when, as I understand it, we won’t know for sure if these numbers are accurate until January?” Gibson asked.

Avula explained that delays are tied to the state’s assessment schedule, which affects how reliably the city can project revenue.

“One of the big challenges to accurate numbers is having enough state assessment data to actually build a budget around,” Avula said.

The city is shifting its assessment cycle so that, by Fiscal Year 2028, budget planning will be based on more precise data.”

City leaders agreed that obtaining firm financial figures is critical for genuine progress. They expect to have more definitive details ready for discussion at the next budget meeting.