Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Richmond City Council schedule for amending and adopting FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget and Real Estate Tax Rate

(Richmond, Virginia) – As Richmond Citizens, we pool our resources to own and operate our government and decide what public services we want to invest in; the priority (investment levels) for these services; and, how we pay for them. Examples of our services include the management, oversight and delivery of such things as clean/safe water; streets/parks; firefighting/rescue; trash/sewage removal; laws, police/courts; public transportation; and, our children’s education. Together, we own, operate, use and benefit from these services every day.

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Richmond City Council schedule for amending and adopting FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget and Real Estate Tax Rate

Public invited and encouraged to attend meetings

(Richmond, Virginia) – As Richmond Citizens, we pool our resources to own and operate our government and decide what public services we want to invest in; the priority (investment levels) for these services; and, how we pay for them. Examples of our services include the management, oversight and delivery of such things as clean/safe water; streets/parks; firefighting/rescue; trash/sewage removal; laws, police/courts; public transportation; and, our children’s education. Together, we own, operate, use and benefit from these services every day.

Thus, every year a proposed Richmond Government Budget (Fiscal Plan) is submitted to Richmond City Council by the Mayor, who is responsible for administering local government services. Council then reviews, analyzes and amends this budget based on the priorities of citizens.

Council's budget deliberations typically span three months, from mid-March until final adoption toward the end of May and take place during an estimated two dozen Council meetings and special work sessions that are all open to the public. During the process, Council adopts a Richmond Real Estate Tax Rate and, at the conclusion of the deliberations, votes on a Richmond City Government Budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY).

The Richmond City Government Budget runs from July 1 to June 30 annually and the City operates on a two-year fiscal plan (Budget) that includes City General Fund, Capital Improvement Plan, Special Funds, Enterprise Funds, Internal Service Funds, the City’s contribution to Richmond Public Schools and additional state, federal, and other funds provided to Richmond Public Schools. The Budget is typically amended every year.

Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to attend any and all of the public meetings and budget work sessions. While there is no public comment during the work sessions, citizens are invited to publicly address Council regarding the Budget during the Council Public Hearings.

The final budget takes the form of laws, which will be available from the Richmond City Council website, at www.council.richmondva.gov. Copies will also be available for review in the Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk, at Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804.646.7955 tel).

The following are tentatively scheduled Council dates that will include Budget discussions and action. It is very important to note that the day, time, topic, and locations are subject to changes and updates. For the latest times and locations, please call 804.646.7955.
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Richmond City Council
FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget and Real Estate Tax Review and Action Dates
(Updated 3.9.10)



MARCH 2010


Monday, March 8, 2010 – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Informal Council Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council meeting that may include budget discussions. Informal meetings are held to review information/prepare for "Formal" meetings.

Monday, March 8, 2010 – 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Formal Council Meeting
(Possible 2010 Richmond Real Estate Tax Rates Introduced)
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council Formal meeting that will include introduction of possible
Richmond Real Estate Tax Rates, Public and other budget discussion/public business.
Each year a number of different real estate tax rates are introduced as possibilities,
which include some lower and some higher. If no new tax rate is adopted, it remains
the same. The tax rate applies to the previous year’s real estate tax assessment.

Monday, March 22, 2010 – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Informal Council Meeting
(Proposed FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget Submitted to Council)
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council meeting that will include the official submission of the Mayor’s proposed FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget and may include budget discussions. Informal meetings are held to review information/prepare for the Formal meetings. Note: On February 22, 2010, Richmond City Council (by Ordinance Number 2010-34-40) extended the deadline for the Mayor to submit a proposed budget; from March 6 to March 22 at 3:00 p.m.

Monday, March 22, 2010 – 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Formal Council Meeting
(Proposed FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget Presented to Council)
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council Formal meeting that will include the presentation of the Mayor’s proposed FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget and other budget discussion/public business.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.


APRIL 2010


Thursday, April 1, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.


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Monday, April 5, 2010; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Council Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting
(Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget)
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled standing committee meeting that will include a Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget and budget discussions.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.

Thursday, April 8, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.

Monday, April 12, 2010 – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Informal Council Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council meeting that may include budget discussions. Informal meetings are held to review information/prepare for the Formal meetings.

Monday, April 12, 2010 – 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Formal Council Meeting
(Adoption of 2010 Richmond Real Estate Tax Rate)
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council Formal meeting that will include the adoption of a 2010 Richmond Real Estate Tax Rate and other budget discussion/public business.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.

Thursday, April 15, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.

Thursday, April 22, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.

Monday, April 26, 2010 – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Informal Council Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council meeting that may include budget discussions. Informal meetings are held to review information/prepare for the Formal meetings.
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Monday, April 26, 2010 – 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Formal Council Meeting
(Public Hearing on Community Development Block Grant funds)
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council Formal meeting that will include a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant funds and other budget discussion/public business.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.

Thursday, April 29, 2010; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Council Budget Work Session
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Work session to hear presentations from departments, receive budget updates and review information.


MAY 2010


Monday, May 3, 2010 - 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Council Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting
(Council to Review Amended FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget)
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled standing committee meeting that May include a Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget and budget discussions.

Monday, May 10, 2010 – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Informal Council Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council meeting that may include budget discussions. Informal meetings are held to review information/prepare for the Formal meetings.

Monday, May 10, 2010 – 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Formal Council Meeting
(Approval of Community Development Block Grant funds AND Introduction of proposed FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget Amendments)
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council Formal meeting that will include the approval of Community Development Block Grant funds; the introduction of Council’s Amended FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget; and, other budget discussion/public business.

Monday, May 24, 2010 – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Informal Council Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council meeting that may include budget discussions. Informal meetings are held to review information/prepare for the Formal meetings.

Monday, May 24, 2010 – 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Formal Council Meeting
(Council Adoption of FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget)
Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
Regularly scheduled Council Formal meeting that will include the approval of Adoption of the
FY 2011 Richmond Government Budget; and, other budget discussion/public business.

CONTACT For updated Council budget meeting times and locations, or for more
information, please call 804.646.7955.

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BACKGROUND ON RICHMOND REAL ESTATE TAX ASSESSMENTS
We as citizens have determined that a fair way to help pay for our local citizen government is for Richmond real estate owners to annually contribute funds based on a percentage of the value of the real estate they own in the city. Therefore, each year the fair market value of real estate in the city is assessed and an annual Richmond Real Estate Tax Rate is set. The rate is the percentage, based on $100 of value, that each real estate owner will contribute to help pay for government services in the city.

Our real estate tax is the largest single funding source we use to pay for our public services. There are approximately 73,000 real estate properties in Richmond and, to help ensure fairness, Virginia State Law requires that Richmond perform annual real estate assessments to determine fair market value.

Real estate owners contribute their share annually, based on the value of their real estate and the tax rate by June 15. For example, if a person owns $100,000 in real estate and the tax rate is $1.20 per $100 of assessed property value; their share is $1,200 for that year.



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