Richmond City Council has asked Mayor Danny Avula to add about $1.1 million for contracted janitorial workers to his budget proposal for the 2026-27 fiscal year and to estimate how a lower real estate tax rate would affect 2028’s budget.

Council members unanimously approved resolutions for both requests Monday after months of debate with administration officials, as Avula’s administration prepares its budget proposal for the year. 

The additional funding in the 2026 budget is intended to improve pay and benefits for contracted cleaners and has been supported by Council members, city contract workers and labor organizers, including the Service Employees International Union. 

“I sincerely appreciate City Council’s leadership on this important issue, and share the values expressed in the resolution,” Avula said in a statement on the request’s approval. “My team and I will continue reviewing the fiscal and operational considerations outlined in the resolution to ensure we move forward responsibly.” 

For Latrice Gregory — an SEIU member, Chesterfield County Public Schools employee Richmond — the proposal would provide needed relief for contract workers like her 72-year-old mother, who still cleans buildings in the city. and former contracted day porter in 

“Adopting this resolution would mean that workers like my mother could finally earn a dignified living wage,” Gregory said during the meeting, “one that allows them to plan for their future, whether that means retiring with dignity or continuing to support their families.” 

The request to explore a reduction in Richmond’s real estate tax rate to $1.20 per $100 of assessed value followed amendments to the resolution, which originally called for two budget proposals for fiscal 2026 with different tax rates. 

The approved resolution requests the administration provide a list next year of what items would have to be removed from the budget if the tax rate were reduced to $1.16, according to 5th District Council Member Stephanie Lynch, who patroned both resolutions. 

“We have worked with the mayor’s office and members of the administration to set a more reasonable timeline,” Lynch said. “It’s really just to give us more information and tools in our toolbox.” 

Administration officials also recommended last year that the city keep its contract wages for cleaners unchanged to avoid costs, after completing a study requested by the Council on options to include contract workers in the city’s $20 minimum wage for employees. 

Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald was open to the Council’s request during the meeting to consider increasing contracted pay, although he noted the potential effects have not been determined. 

“It is not fully clear just yet what the impact would be of us pursuing this action,” Donald said. “But I think tonight it’s a resolution, not an ordinance, on the table so this is simply expressing the Council’s intent that they would like the administration to look at it, consider it and, if possible, include it in the budget.” 

Avula is set to present his budget proposal on March 11.