Organizational Development Standing Committee

Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall

Agenda — 48 items

1. 1 Members Present
2. 2 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement
3. 2 The Honorable Cynthia Newbille, Chair The Honorable Katherine Jordan, Vice Chair The Honorable Sarah Abubaker, Member The Honorable Andrew Breton, Member The Honorable Kenya Gibson, Member The Honorable Nicole Jones, Member The Honorable Reva Trammell, Member
4. 3 Approval of Minutes
5. 3 Absent
6. 4 September 8, 2026 - Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting Minutes CD.2026.272
7. 4 The Honorable Stephanie Lynch, Member The Honorable Ellen Robertson, Member
8. 5 Council Chief of Staff RJ Warren, provided a brief overview of the meeting, described as a preliminary FY2028 budget work session and informational briefing. He noted that members would each have five minutes for questions per item.
9. 5 Others in Attendance
10. 1. Real Estate Assessor's Office Update
11. 6 Laura Drewry, City Attorney Kiley Kesecker, Deputy City Clerk Candice Reid, City Clerk Tabrica Rentz, Deputy City Attorney RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff
12. 2. City Fiscal Outlook
13. 7 Call to Order
14. 8 City Fiscal Outlook Presentation CD.2026.273
15. 8 Chair Cynthia Newbille called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. and presided.
16. 9 Consideration of Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Similar Entities
17. 10 There were no board appointments for consideration.
18. 10 Upon the Chair's request, Deputy City Clerk Kiley Kesecker provided information on the appropriate way to evacuate the Council Chamber in the event of an emergency.
19. 11 Paper(s) for Consideration
20. 12 There were no papers for consideration.
21. 12 There were no amendments or corrections to the following meeting minutes, which were approved as presented.
22. 13 Reports of Standing Committees
23. 13 page break
24. 14 Council Chief of Staff Report CD.2026.274
25. 15 Discussion Item(s)
26. 16 FY2028 City Council Budget Priorities
27. 16 Reports from City Administration, Council Staff, and Other Parties
28. 17 Adjournment
29. 18 City Assessor Richie McKeithen forecast a 4.5% increase in taxable real property for the next reassessment in 2027, down from 6.5% at the last reassessment and 7.7% before that. He attributed the slower growth to national economic conditions, interest rates near 7.5%, persistent inflation, and gas prices above $4 per gallon. He also noted that Richmond's real estate market is still appreciating.
30. 19 Member Kenya Gibson stated that 4.5% seemed low given that no reassessment was issued this year, and requested the most recent land book and data behind the forecast.
31. 20 Member Andrew Breton confirmed with Mr. McKeithen that the forecast covers at least 18 months and asked for the dates and any interim valuations in writing.
32. 21 Chair Newbille thanked Mr. McKeithen and asked him to prepare and provide a brief written response to members' questions.
33. 24 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
34. 25 Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II provided an overview of the presentation and introduced representatives from PFM Consulting. Mr. Donald stated that the city's fiscal health is good, but slower growth will require adjustments, citing collective bargaining renewals, affordable housing and pension commitments, bond debt service, and capital needs. He added that administration is pursuing more state funding and cost avoidance, including a possible hiring freeze.
35. 26 Danielle Scott Parker, Director, PFM Consulting, presented the financial condition assessment of the city and the five year baseline forecast, noting that expenditures (7–9% annual growth) are outpacing revenues (3–4%).
36. 27 Ashley Anyu, PFM Senior Managing Consultant, reviewed the main drivers of revenue and expenditures. She noted that property taxes represent nearly 60% of total general fund revenue, with personnel costs and the contribution to Richmond Public Schools representing about 64% of total general fund expenditures.
37. 28 Ms. Parker stated that the forecast indicates structural deficits in the first three years, with the fund balance falling below the policy floor by FY2030, assuming no growth in salaries, pension, or state intergovernmental funding. She also projected the impact of one cent and four cent real estate tax reductions.
38. 29 Mayor Danny Avula provided comments, stating that the city is entering a very different fiscal environment and stressed working from a shared set of facts. He restated his priority areas of focus: workforce and economic development, safe and thriving families, and service delivery.
39. 30 Ms. Gibson asked why the administration's tax cut position had changed and whether it was dependent on the outcome of the sales tax referendum. She also requested decision timelines for the tax rate and meals tax, new construction revenue estimates, delinquent tax collection projections, a reevaluation of the reserve allocation, and clarity on Diamond District payments.
40. 31 Mayor Avula stated that their position on the tax cut was not contingent on the referendum outcome, and he hoped to propose one cent cuts to real estate and meals taxes, but the fiscal outlook complicates that.
41. 32 Member Sarah Abubaker asked how much debt service growth is tied to Diamond District financing. City staff indicated that a follow-up answer would be provided.
42. 33 Member Reva Trammell urged real estate tax relief for homeowners and seniors, and stated that residents oppose Code Refresh.
43. 34 Mayor Avula responded that the tax rate has not been raised and that growing revenue is the way to sustain services.
44. 35 Vice Chair Jordan stated that the city should focus on retaining existing businesses and consider a more competitive BPOL tax rate.
45. 38 Council Chief of Staff RJ Warren presented an overview of each Council member's citywide FY2028 priorities. He stated that his staff will group the items into themes and draft a resolution for introduction in November, with the priorities attached as an appendix.
46. 45 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
47. 46 Mr. Warren stated that City Council standing committee updates were provided by submitted documentation.
48. 48 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:47 p.m.

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