{"MatterTextId":37225,"MatterTextGuid":"F687B0E0-24C4-4CD6-B623-3619C266ABD9","MatterTextLastModifiedUtc":"2026-06-23T14:44:45.35","MatterTextRowVersion":"AAAAAAHn5BU=","MatterTextMatterId":40399,"MatterTextVersion":"1","MatterTextPlain":"..Title\nTo order the submission to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond of the question of whether the City should be authorized to levy a local sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent, the revenues from which shall be used solely for capital projects for the construction or renovation of public school facilities, for a referendum thereon.\n..Body\n      WHEREAS, effective July 1, 2026, the Virginia General Assembly enacted its biennial budget and appropriation legislation (\"Budget Bill\") for the biennium commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028; and\n      WHEREAS, the Budget Bill enacts amendments to section 58.1-605.1 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, authorizing all Virginia cities and counties to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed 1% to provide revenue solely for construction and major renovation of schools; and\n      WHEREAS, said tax may only be levied if it is approved in a referendum within the City, said referendum to be initiated by this Resolution; ands\n      WHEREAS, any such tax approved by referendum and imposed by the City shall expire on the later of (i) if the capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools are to be financed by bonds or loans, on the date by which said bonds or loans shall be repaid or (ii) if the capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools are not to be financed by bonds or loans, on or before June 30, 2046; and\n       WHEREAS, in accordance with section 3.06.1 of the Charter of the City of Richmond \n(2020), as amended, the Council is authorized to request the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond to order the submission of a question to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond for a referendum thereon; and\n      WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 2025-R051, adopted December 15, 2025, the Council endorsed such authority to levy a sales tax of up to one percent, first approved by referendum, for the purpose of funding public school construction, modernization, and improvements; and\n\tWHEREAS, the Council of the City of Richmond desires to initiate a referendum for the purposes herein set forth;\nNOW, THEREFORE,\nBE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:\n\n       1.\tThat the Council hereby initiates a referendum pursuant to Virginia Code Sections 24.2-684 and 58.1-605.1, as amended by the Budget Bill, on the issue of whether the City may levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed 1% to provide revenue solely for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools in the City.\n       2.\tFor any such capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools in the City financed by bonds or loans, the tax levied pursuant to this Resolution, if approved by referendum, shall expire on the date by which such bonds or loans shall be repaid.\n       3.\tFor any such capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools in the City not financed by bonds or loans, the tax levied pursuant to this Resolution, if approved by referendum, shall expire on June 30, 2046.\n       4.\tAn attested copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded by the City Clerk to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for consideration and approval by the Court, if deemed to be in order, and for processing and publication in accordance with state code requirements.\n       5.\tThe language to appear on the ballot on the referendum is proposed by the Council to be as follows: \n       Shall the City of Richmond be authorized to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed 1% to provide revenue solely for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools in the City? Should this referendum be approved authorizing the levy of such tax, the tax would expire no later than June 30, 2046.\n       6.\tAn attested copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded by the City Clerk to the Registrar and the Electoral Board of the City.\n\nDATE:\tJune 23, 2026\nTO:\tThe Honorable Members of City Council\nTHROUGH: The Honorable Katherine Jordan, Councilmember 2nd District\nTHROUGH: The Honorable Cynthia Newbille, Councilmember 7th District\nTHROUGH: RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff\nTHROUGH: Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager\nFROM:\tWhitney Brown, Policy Analyst\nRE:\t\t\t\t\nCNL-2026-0070\nPURPOSE: During the 2026 Special Session I of the Virginia General Assembly, the General Assembly amended � 58.1-605.1 of the Code of Virginia to authorize all Virginia cities and counties to seek voter approval to levy a local sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent for the sole purpose of funding capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools. The 2027 Budget Bill requires any such tax must be approved by the qualified voters of the locality through a referendum.\nThe authority to seek voter approval for this additional local sales tax was a major component of the City of Richmond's 2026 General Assembly Legislative Program, as adopted by the Council on December 15, 2025.\nThis resolution requests that the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond order the submission of the referendum question to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond at the November 3, 2026, General Election. If approved by the voters, the City of Richmond would be authorized to levy a local sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent to provide a dedicated local revenue source for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools.\nThe purpose of this legislation is to allow Richmond voters the opportunity to determine whether the City of Richmond should be authorized to levy the additional local sales tax for school capital projects.\nSTRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: N/A\nFISCAL IMPACT: None\nDESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption. \nREQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: July 6, 2026\nCITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: July 27, 2026\nREQUESTED AGENDA: Consent\nRECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: None\nAFFECTED AGENCIES: City Council\nRELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None\nATTACHMENTS: None\nSTAFF: Whitney Brown, Policy Analyst, (804-646-376\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","MatterTextRtf":"{\\rtf1\\fbidis\\ansi\\ansicpg1252\\deff0\\deflang1033\\deflangfe1033{\\fonttbl{\\f0\\froman\\fprq2\\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}}\n{\\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\\s1 heading 1;}}\n\\viewkind4\\uc1\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li115\\sb240\\tx1555\\b\\f0\\fs24 ..Title\\par\n\\b0\\fs22 To order the submission to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond of the question of whether the City should be authorized to levy a local sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent, the revenues from which shall be used solely for capital projects for the construction or renovation of public school facilities, for a referendum thereon.\\par\n..Body\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\fi720\\li116\\sl480\\slmult1\\qj\\fs24 WHEREAS, effective July 1, 2026, the Virginia General Assembly enacted its biennial budget and appropriation legislation (\\ldblquote Budget Bill\\rdblquote ) for the biennium commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028; and\\par\nWHEREAS, the Budget Bill enacts amendments to section 58.1-605.1 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, authorizing all Virginia cities and counties to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed 1% to provide revenue solely for construction and major renovation of schools; and\\par\nWHEREAS, said tax may only be levied if it is approved in a referendum within the City, said referendum to be initiated by this Resolution; ands\\par\nWHEREAS, any such tax approved by referendum and imposed by the City shall expire on the later of (i) if the capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools are to be financed by bonds or loans, on the date by which said bonds or loans shall be repaid or (ii) if the capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools are not to be financed by bonds or loans, on or before June 30, 2046; and\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\fi720\\sl480\\slmult1\\fs22 WHEREAS, in accordance with section 3.06.1 of the Charter of the City of Richmond \\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\sl480\\slmult1 (2020), as amended, the Council is authorized to request the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond to order the submission of a question to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond for a referendum thereon; and\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\fi720\\li116\\sl480\\slmult1\\qj\\fs24 WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 2025-R051, adopted December 15, 2025, the Council endorsed such authority to levy a sales tax of up to one percent, first approved by referendum, for the purpose of funding public school construction, modernization, and improvements; and\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\sl480\\slmult1\\fs22\\tab WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Richmond desires to initiate a referendum for the purposes herein set forth;\\par\nNOW, THEREFORE,\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\qj\\fs24 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li116\\qj\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\fi720\\sl480\\slmult1\\fs22 1.\\tab That the Council hereby initiates a referendum pursuant to Virginia Code Sections 24.2-684 and 58.1-605.1, as amended by the Budget Bill, on the issue of whether the City may levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed 1% to provide revenue solely for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools in the City.\\par\n2.\\tab For any such capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools in the City financed by bonds or loans, the tax levied pursuant to this Resolution, if approved by referendum, shall expire on the date by which such bonds or loans shall be repaid.\\par\n3.\\tab For any such capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools in the City not financed by bonds or loans, the tax levied pursuant to this Resolution, if approved by referendum, shall expire on June 30, 2046.\\par\n4.\\tab An attested copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded by the City Clerk to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for consideration and approval by the Court, if deemed to be in order, and for processing and publication in accordance with state code requirements.\\par\n5.\\tab The language to appear on the ballot on the referendum is proposed by the Council to be as follows: \\par\nShall the City of Richmond be authorized to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed 1% to provide revenue solely for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools in the City? Should this referendum be approved authorizing the levy of such tax, the tax would expire no later than June 30, 2046.\\par\n6.\\tab An attested copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded by the City Clerk to the Registrar and the Electoral Board of the City.\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\sb240\\tx1555\\b\\fs24\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li115\\sb240\\tx1555 DATE:\\tab\\b0 June 23,\\expndtw-1  \\expndtw0 2026\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li116\\sb240\\tx1555\\b TO:\\tab\\b0 The Honorable Members of City\\expndtw-2  \\expndtw0 Council\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li116\\sb240\\b THROUGH: \\b0 The Honorable Katherine Jordan, Councilmember 2nd District\\par\n\\b THROUGH: \\b0 The Honorable Cynthia Newbille, Councilmember 7th District\\par\n\\b THROUGH: \\b0 RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff\\par\n\\b THROUGH: \\b0 Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li116\\sb240\\tx1555\\b FROM:\\tab\\b0 Whitney Brown, Policy Analyst\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li116\\ri115\\sb240\\tx1555\\b RE:\\b0\\tab\\tab\\tab\\tab\\b\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\s1\\li116\\sb240 CNL-2026-0070\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li115\\sb240\\qj PURPOSE:\\expndtw-12  \\expndtw0\\b0 During the 2026 Special Session I of the Virginia General Assembly, the General Assembly amended \\'a7 58.1-605.1 of the Code of Virginia to authorize all Virginia cities and counties to seek voter approval to levy a local sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent for the sole purpose of funding capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools. The 2027 Budget Bill requires any such tax must be approved by the qualified voters of the locality through a referendum.\\par\nThe authority to seek voter approval for this additional local sales tax was a major component of the City of Richmond's 2026 General Assembly Legislative Program, as adopted by the Council on December 15, 2025.\\par\nThis resolution requests that the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond order the submission of the referendum question to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond at the November 3, 2026, General Election. If approved by the voters, the City of Richmond would be authorized to levy a local sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent to provide a dedicated local revenue source for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools.\\par\nThe purpose of this legislation is to allow Richmond voters the opportunity to determine whether the City of Richmond should be authorized to levy the additional local sales tax for school capital projects.\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li115\\sb240\\b STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: \\b0 N/A\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li116\\sb240\\qj\\b FISCAL IMPACT: \\b0 None\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li116\\sb240\\b DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: \\b0 Upon adoption. \\par\n\\b REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: \\b0 July 6, 2026\\par\n\\b CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: \\b0 July 27, 2026\\par\n\\b REQUESTED AGENDA:\\expndtw57  \\expndtw0\\b0 Consent\\par\n\\b RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: \\b0 None\\par\n\\b AFFECTED AGENCIES: \\b0 City Council\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\s1\\li116\\sb240\\b RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: \\b0 None\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\li116\\sb240\\b ATTACHMENTS: \\b0 None\\par\n\\pard\\ltrpar\\nowidctlpar\\sb136\\b STAFF: \\b0 Whitney Brown, Policy Analyst, (804-646-376\\par\n}\n"}