The 2021/22 General Fund Budget passed on June 29, 2021. It is balanced, with revenues totaling $188.5 million, expenditures totaling $187.85 million, and includes funds for reimagining public safety, adding to the  “reserves“, increased staff compensation (Cost of Living Adjustments), facility improvements and subsidy to the housing authority.

Public safety represents more than half the General Fund budget: Police, 38% ($70.9 million), Fire, 18% ($34.7 million), and the expansion of programs already in place, YouthWorks and the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS). Despite being a mere fraction of the overall budget (1.6%), the $3 million reallocation from the police budget to Reimagine Public Safety, this small allotment was the primary topic among council and public comment for several sessions. Public speakers at the adoption meeting included 26 supporters of the proposals, and 6 opponents. 

The City of Richmond will receive $27.7 million in stimulus money under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These one-time funds will come to the city in two installments, half this summer, half next summer, and must be spent iby Dec. 2024. Our City Council has approved an initial batch of ARPA allocations that total $8.55 million:

• $4 million—recovery of lost revenue
• $2 million—HVAC improvements in community centers 
• $1 million—community beautification
• $1 million—housing development initiatives and rapid response fund
• $300k—environmental planning consultant (“green and blue new deal”)
• $250k—community needs assessment

Another source of funds, the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) comes from grants, tax revenue, and some general fund allocations  dedicated for specific purposes. The CIP is a community planning and fiscal management tool used to coordinate the location, timing, and financing of capital improvements over a multi-year period. Richmond’s current CIP through 2025 has a budget allocation for 2021/22 that includes:

• $2.5 million for street paving
• $835k for ADA sidewalk repair
• $45 million for wastewater treatment plant grit and aeration replacement
• $3.5 million for a dechlorination system replacement

The budget was adopted by a 5:2 City Council Vote, with Mayor Butt and Councilmember Bates voting no. The full budget is available here.