Richmond City Council / News
Release
Richmond City Council establishes Richmond 2026 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Agenda, assigns Richmond Surplus Funds, and expands transparency
(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. 12.15.2025) – Richmond City Council advanced key priorities
to support residents and strengthen the City’s future at its December 15, 2025
Formal Meeting.
Richmond 2026 Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Priorities Agenda
Richmond City Council approved, Res.
No. 2025-R051, establishing the City’s legislative priorities
agenda:
• Affordable Housing: Support for anti-rent gouging legislation,
inclusionary zoning authority, and expanded tools to address blight and
eviction prevention.
• Education: Advocacy for modernizing the state’s K-12
funding formula and enabling local referenda to fund school construction.
• Public Safety and Health: Requests for increased funding for local
police, public defenders, and community-based violence prevention programs.
• Infrastructure and Environment: Calls for $40 million in state support for
water infrastructure and $200 million for combined sewer overflow mitigation.
• Additionally: The agenda also addresses transportation, human services, and
regional partnerships. Council will actively advocate alongside the Mayor,
Richmond’s General Assembly delegation, and statewide partners to advance these
proposals during the 2026 session.
FY 2025 Richmond General Fund Budget Surplus Assignment
Council also adopted Res.
No. 2025-R052, assigning $2.2 million from the Fiscal
Year 2025 Richmond Government Budget - General Fund Surplus to special
purpose reserves. These one-time assignments reflect Council’s priorities and
community input, and include:
• $1.42 million to the Richmond Retirement System for a
one-time payment to retired RRS members to help offset the absence of an annual
cost-of-living adjustment.
• $400,000 to the Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund
to expand access to safe, affordable housing.
• $162,150 for low-barrier support for children and
families during inclement weather.
• $100,000 to Presbyterian Homes & Family Services
for the Family Crisis Fund.
• $70,000 for Music and Media Lab improvements at the
Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities - Southside
Community Center.
• $50,000 for a Vision Zero traffic safety study at key
intersections near Richmond Public Schools - Albert Hill Middle School.
Government Transparency
Richmond City Council also approved a series
of Ordinances focused on transparency. Ord. No. 2025-209 created a new disclosure requirement for
members of certain boards and commissions that have control of bonds and
funding decisions. Ord.
No. 2025-211 set new standards for the City of Richmond
Open Data Portal to share information regarding contracts with the public. Finally,
Ord. No. 2025-240 amended the Richmond Code of Laws/Ordinances
to establish an online Richmond Virginia Freedom of Information Act Library.
Introduced Legislation
Twenty-eight
new proposed Ordinances and Resolutions were introduced during Council Formal
meeting.
Looking Ahead
The next Richmond City Council Formal Meeting is scheduled to take place Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Richmond City Council Chambers; Richmond City Hall 2nd floor; 900 East Broad Street; Richmond Virginia.
Access/Learn more
To learn more about the December 15, 2025 Richmond City Council Meeting, access a recording, and review documents, please go to https://richmondva.legistar.com/
Please visit https://richmondva.legistar.com/ to access and learn about Richmond City Council Formal,
Informal, and Standing Committee meetings, recordings, documents, and
legislation.
-End-
Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad
Street, Suite 300 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)
