Richmond EHS Committee Meeting July 9, 2026: RPS Deficit, Sales Tax Referendum, Grants
Richmond Education and Human Services Committee Meeting – July 9, 2026
The Education and Human Services (EHS) Standing Committee of the Richmond City Council met on July 9, 2026, at 2:45 PM EDT. The committee heard a significant update from Richmond Public Schools (RPS) on a $9 million budget deficit stemming from the final state budget, considered a resolution to place a 1% local sales tax for school construction on the November ballot, and approved a major overhaul of the city's grant-making process. Additional items included board vacancies, a DCAO update, and scheduling decisions.
Discussion Items
RPS Budget Deficit Update
- Superintendent Jason Kamras (present despite illness) reported that RPS faces a roughly $9 million deficit after the state budget eliminated $7.6 million in proposed one-time flexible funding and provided only partial funding for a 4% teacher raise. RPS will implement a 3.17% total increase (2% plus a 1.17% step increase) instead of the full 4%. He noted that for every 35 cents the state provides for raises, the city must provide 65 cents. RPS is exploring measures to close the gap while avoiding layoffs, furloughs, or pay reductions: reducing vacancies, increasing class sizes at the secondary level, selling non-mission-critical vehicles and equipment, and eliminating non-essential professional development, travel, and food for meetings.
- School Board Chair Shabonda Fernandez stated that RPS had already planned for a $21 million shortfall; an additional $9 million cut would total $30 million, which she called "devastating." She requested consideration of emergency funding from the city, possibly from surplus rental tax funds, to restore critical items like mental health services and annual substitutes. She emphasized that a one-time infusion would give RPS time to plan for future cuts. The school board is scheduled to meet July 23 to make final decisions; Chair Fernandez noted that the earlier the city can show commitment, the less disruptive the cuts will be.
- Council Chair Lynch acknowledged the need and asked administration and council leadership to explore a vehicle for ongoing collaborative budget discussions between council, schools, and administration. She and Vice President Jordan will work with the mayor’s office to develop a response to RPS’s memo.
- Superintendent Kamras added that the state’s late budget passage (the day before the legal deadline) prevented RPS from managing the cuts through normal budget processes. He expressed gratitude for record city investments that have produced improved graduation rates and SOL scores.
Ordinance 2026-169: Grant-Making Restructuring
- Dominic Barrett, Senior Policy Advisor, presented the ordinance, which formalizes a new grant-making process developed over several years. After an RFP issued in December 2025, the city selected three grant makers: CultureWorks (arts/culture), United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg (children/families and economic mobility), and Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation (health). The city retains oversight, and grant makers will report annually. The ordinance transfers funds from reserve lines to the appropriate departments and authorizes the CAO to execute agreements. An information session for nonprofits is set for July 29; 120 RSVPs have been received. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval.
Resolution 2026-R20-028: Local Sales Tax Referendum for Schools
- Council Vice President Jordan explained that the resolution would place a question on the November 2026 ballot asking voters whether to authorize a 1% local sales tax to fund capital projects for public school construction or renovation. If approved, the tax would be levied up to 1% for 20 years. She highlighted this as a new tool from the state to address persistent school facility needs.
- Lawson Saria, Chief of Staff to Mayor Avula, expressed the mayor’s support and commitment to a thorough analysis. The mayor’s pillar of supporting children’s education aligns with this tool. A comprehensive briefing is scheduled for the council’s July 27 meeting, including revenue projections, budgetary impacts, and implementation details.
- David Rose of Davenport & Company, the city’s financial advisor, presented initial revenue estimates. Based on the city’s 2025 comprehensive audit, the 1% local option sales tax would generate approximately $45 million annually (net after exemptions for food, beverage, and personal hygiene). With 2% average annual growth, this could reach over $65 million by year 20. The funds could be bonded to accelerate the existing $800 million, 20-year school capital program (of which about $450 million remains to be borrowed). Mr. Rose called this the most significant financial tool in his 30-year tenure.
- Superintendent Kamras provided context on school facility needs: the average building age is 66 years, with 12 buildings over 100 years old. Immediate maintenance needs total $23 million, plus $30 million in annual deferred maintenance. Two major projects are in the current facilities plan: a new CTE Center on the south side (Phase 1: $65 million, Phases 1&2 total ~$145-165 million) and Woodville Elementary rebuild ($50 million, with $12.4 million in state funds at risk of reversion if construction doesn’t begin soon). The new master facilities plan will undergo community engagement in summer/fall 2026 with a draft to the school board in late 2026.
- Councilmembers discussed the need for clear information on how funds will be used, transparency, potential impacts on other taxes (e.g., meals tax), and equity. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval.
Board Vacancies
- Deputy City Clerk Kylie Kessaker presented a report of current and projected vacancies through November. The committee voted in block to forward the following appointments (with one continuation) to full council for approval:
- Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks: Alexis Santistabon (6th District)
- Aging and Disabilities Advisory Board: Mary Player (9th District), Christopher Roberson (attorney/paralegal)
- Future of Workforce Commission: Noel Cortez (7th District)
- Human Rights Commission: Drake Randolph (5th District, RPS student)
- J. Sgt. Reynolds Community College Board: Lisa Harrison (2nd District)
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: Anna Aquino, Mary Parker – consideration of Lisa Harrison continued to allow CEO to discuss interest.
- Maggie L. Walker Initiative Citizens Advisory Board: Kai Banks (7th District), Christian Washington (6th District)
- Richmond Public Library Board: Linda Peaching (3rd District) and Samuel Runner (7th District)
DCAO Update & Portfolio Changes
- Amy Popovich, Deputy CAO for Human Services, noted that effective July 1, Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities moved to the Operations portfolio; Office of Community Wealth Building moved to Housing and Economic Development; and Office of Neighborhood Engagement moved to the CAO’s office. She highlighted summer youth programming (1,200+ youth) and new grants from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority: $300,000 for housing stabilization for substance-impacted individuals, $47,000 for EMS-initiated buprenorphine, and $76,000 to continue a resource mapping project. She also announced Governor Spanberger’s appointment of Greg Hopkins to the Virginia Criminal Justice Board.
Committee Schedule
- The committee agreed to cancel the August 2026 meeting but will continue work on the RPS budget issue via an ad hoc group. Discussion of the draft schedule through February 2027 was tabled to allow broader council input.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 2026-169 (grant restructuring) was approved by voice vote (2-0, with member Burton present? Actually recorded as Aye from Mr. Bredson? Wait transcript says "Mr. Bredson. Aye, aye. Chair Lynch. Aye." So both ayes. It will be forwarded to full council with a recommendation to approve.
- Resolution 2026-R20-028 (sales tax referendum) was approved by voice vote (Mr. Bretzing? Actually transcript says "Mr. Bretzing. Aye. Chair Lynch. Aye.") and will be forwarded to full council with a recommendation to approve. Councilmember Jordan added herself as co-patron.
- Board appointments were forwarded to full council for approval, with the exception of Lisa Harrison’s application for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, which was continued.
- No August EHS committee meeting was scheduled; staff will continue to work on RPS budget response and other topics.
- Draft EHS schedule through February 2027 was tabled.
- The next EHS meeting is set for September 10, 2026, with agenda items including an update on non-departmental grant restructuring and a presentation from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Meeting Transcript
Oh, I think that's it. All right, Madam Clerk. I believe we have quorum. Go ahead and read the chamber emergency evacuation plan announcement public speaker guidelines. Thank you. Upon activation of the emergency alarm signal, all persons should immediately exit the building. Please use the exits to the left or right front of the council chamber or the north or south stale whales outside the rear doors of the chamber. Do not use elevators or escalators after exiting the building. Security would direct everyone down 9th Street to the fenced area located between Clay and Lee Street. Able persons should assist visually and hearing a pair of visitors with exiting the building. Public speaker guidelines. Individuals wishing to speak during public hearings in the public comment period are generally allowed three minutes to speak. Persons appearing before the committee are not allowed to campaign for public office. Promote private business ventures, use language of a personal nature which insults or demeans any person, including comments directed at public officials or staff members that are not related to the official duties or address the question staff members directly. All questions are to be directed to the committee chair. Failure to adhere to the guidelines may result in speakers forfeiting any remaining time and further disciplinary action as necessary, which can include barring from attendance at future meetings of the committee for a period of six months. And madam chair, all members of the committee are in attendance today with the exception of Ms. Jones, and you do have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Are there any members present to speak for public comment? Public comment is now open. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this committee regarding items not on today's agenda? Madam Chair, seeing none and no one signed up to speak virtually before the 10 a.m. deadline. The public comment period is now closed and back to the committee. Madam Clerk, I see Mr. Strauss is raising his hand at the back of the. Are you here to let me take a wild guess? Are you here to speak in uh for the um we've got two on the agenda the sales tax uh resolution to put the on for the referendum and the um uh and the non-departmental grant. If you are here to to speak on items that are not on that agenda, please come for any member. Please come forward. If if you are here to speak on any of those agenda items that are listed, then we will hold your comment until okay. Um all right, madam clerk. We are gonna revise uh the if it's if it pleases the committee. I'm going to um revise the agenda ever so slightly to allow um for our uh superintendent to provide his update first. I think that's important. One we get him uh we can kind of knock out all of the RPS items in one shot, so you do not have to um stay on uh with us in your time is very important. Um we have our school board chair. Welcome. Uh thank you so much for being here. Um thought it would be helpful for you to give and provide your update to us um and and help us set the stage, and then we'll go right into uh the the uh the ordinance here. So um that's before us. So without further ado, superintendent cameras. If you're able to come and provide your regularly scheduled series of RPS updates, we'd love to have you join us. And I know you're sick, so thank you. Extra credit for I know you're a little under the weather, so extra credit for being here with us today. We appreciate you. Thank you, Madam Chair, and members of the committee. Um I will jump right in. Obviously, the most pressing matter that RPS is facing at the moment is the impact of the final state budget on our budget.
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