RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney unveiled his plan for how taxpayer dollars will be spent in the city's upcoming 2025 budget.
The plan will be the last Stoney presents, as his term is up at the end of the year.
The $2.9 billion proposed budget is in line with the $3 billion budget that the city council passed last year. It includes an increased emphasis on improving city services, education, combatting homelessness, and affordable housing.
The proposal also emphasized an increased focus on improving customer service for city residents. This comes following months of complaints from residents and businesses regarding the unclear and archaic process that comes with
paying bills and taxes to the city.
The plan would add funding toward modernizing the 311 call system, as well as updating the portal for how residents pay bills and taxes.
A small business liaison would also be added to help handle city matters.
"No one department can accomplish this alone," Stoney said. "It takes all of us and that’s exactly what this proposal will accomplish."
What else is Stoney requesting in his proposed budget?
- An increase in utility rates. Monthly gas, electric, and wastewater bills would increase by $3 to $4 per month.
- $15.8 million increase in funding for Richmond Public Schools, intended to help the city's commitment to competitive pay for teachers and up-to-date facilities for students. This is less than what the district received last year, and nearly $10 million short of what they asked for this year.
- $4.2 million to be allocated toward shelters to assist with the city's homeless population. $200,000 of that will go toward establishing a housing resource center.
- $5 million for the redevelopment of Creighton Court and increasing funds for the eviction diversion program.
- Pay raises for police, fire, and emergency service workers. 7% raise for first responders. 4% raise for city employees.
- $20 minimum wage for all hourly employees, up from $11.66 in 2017 when he first became mayor.
"We certainly don't have every dollar we need to fix all of our problems, but there is no doubt we have grown as a city," Stoney said. "We have preconceived through crisis and are stronger than we ever were before."
The city council will hold a series of public hearings for citizens to weigh in on the proposed budget. They have until the end of May to make any changes and pass the budget.
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