Richmond’s $1.20 real estate tax rate will stay the same for another year after Richmond City Council voted 5-3-1 on Tuesday against a proposed four-cent reduction in the rate.

This marks the second time the City Council has turned down a tax rate reduction after a similar proposal’s defeat last year. The measure has been promoted by 8th District Council member Reva Trammell as a way to ease financial burdens on Richmond homeowners, though she appeared resigned to its likely failure. 

“I’m quite sure I don’t have the votes tonight ... and I think it’s a damn shame,” Trammell said during a Council discussion before the vote. “I hope the citizens blame every one of us that’s sitting up here.” 

In place of the reduction patroned by Trammell and 4th and 5th District Council members Sarah Abubaker and Stephanie Lynch, the Council instead approved the current tax rate in a 6-2-1 vote. 

3rd District Council member Kenya Gibson abstained on both ordinances, saying she needed more information on the tax rate and Richmond’s surplus and had requested the measures be continued to November. 

“As a person who believes in transparency, without having the necessary information to complete my homework assignment, I would feel like a fraud,” Gibson said. “I still think that we should allow more time.” 

Richmond’s tax rate has remained unchanged since 2008, and the proposed reduction drew a wide range of residents and city officials to speak for or against it during public comments and Council discussion. 

Most were opposed to reducing the tax rate, including members of the Service Employees International Union, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras and Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald representing Avula’s administration in the discussion. 

Opponents argued the reduction would have little impact for most residents and could cost the city $17.2 million in revenue, threatening essential services. 

“A rate cut does not reduce our responsibility to deliver these services,” Donald said, noting that support for services such as schools, the police and fire departments and courts are mandated by law. “Instead, the pressure shifts to those services that are not mandatory, meaning those human services, those affordable housing activities and other things that are vital and essential but are not considered core services.” 

In other matters, Council members approved multiple redevelopment ordinances, including a grant agreement for an affordable housing development that would add at least 246 new housing units to the city. 

Ordinances to create an online Freedom of Information Act library, begin a residentialrental inspection program, expand Richmond’s open data portal and prohibit certain public record fees were continued to later meetings in October and November.