Richmond adopts FY2021 budget, approves tax levy and selects PressurePave street treatment

The Richmond City Council adopted its fiscal 2021 budget and set the municipal tax rates after a series of committee reviews and a public work session.

On Sept. 8 the council voted to adopt the FY2021 operating budget following a Finance Committee review and a full-council work session in which the ETC citizen survey results were presented to inform priorities. The budget ordinance (Bill 20-23) passed unanimously. On Aug. 25 the council had set the 2020 tax levy after a public hearing earlier in the meeting.

Street maintenance drew sizable council attention this year. On June 9 the council approved a contract with Donelson Construction to perform the PressurePave surface treatment for the year's overlay program at a contract price of $333,794.84. During discussion, staff said all street‑prep work would be completed before the PressurePave crew arrived and that City Administrator Tonya Willim would oversee execution of the contract.

The council also reviewed insurance renewal options in September and accepted Trident as the property and liability insurer for 2020–2021, declining optional terrorism coverage. Council members cited inflationary pressure on replacement costs and coverage for a new lift station and newly added infrastructure as contributors to the premium increase.

What comes next: staff will execute the PressurePave contract, schedule overlay operations, and provide periodic updates to the finance committee on FY21 budget performance and any required midyear amendments.