title
To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $225,388.00 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Police’s Operation Ceasefire Special Fund by $225,388.00 for the purpose of improving community safety.
body
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, is hereby authorized to accept funds in the amount of $225,388.00 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services for the purpose of improving community safety.
§ 2. That the funds received from the Department of Criminal Justice Services are hereby appropriated to the Special Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, by increasing estimated revenues by $225,388.00, increasing the amount appropriated for expenditures by $225,388.00, and allotting to the Department of Police’s Operation Ceasefire Special Fund the sum of $225,388.00 for the purpose of improving community safety.
§ 3. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: January 6, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald, II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackson, DCAO Finance and Administration
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget and Strategic Planning
FROM: Richard G. Edwards, Chief of Police
RE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $225,388.00 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Richmond Police Department’s Grant - Operation Ceasefire Special Fund by $225,388.00 for the purpose of expanding the department’s ability to sustain evidence-based solutions that disrupt local cycles of violence while improving community safety.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $225,388.00 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Richmond Police Department’s Grant - Operation Ceasefire Special Fund by $225,388.00 for the purpose of expanding the department’s ability to sustain evidence-based solutions that disrupt local cycles of violence while improving community safety.
REASON: The City of Richmond Police Department is seeking approval to receive additional grant funds in the amount of $225,388.00 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services Operation Ceasefire Grant. The additional funds will be added to the current appropriation on $250,000.00 to total the grant award of $475,388.00.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget be amended to appropriate the additional $225,388.00 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services to Richmond Police Department’s Grant - Operation Ceasefire Special Fund.
BACKGROUND: The Richmond Police Department’s Grant - Operation Ceasefire is currented included in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget at an appropriation of $250,000. The additional funds will be added to the current appropriation on $250,000.00 to total the grant award of $475,388.00. The grant has the purpose of implementing a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy to violent crime reduction. The project centers on four priorities: police officer overtime to increase visibility and suppression efforts identified as critical by the Chief of Police; one contracted crime analyst dedicated to citywide crime gun intelligence, ensuring timely data analysis; the replacement of worn and/or expired supplies essential to the operational readiness of the SWAT unit; and training and development to further strengthen organizational capacity. Collectively, these investments will expand RPD's ability to sustain evidence-based solutions that disrupt local cycles of violence while improving community safety.
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: The Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget will increase by $225,388.00 in the Department of Criminal Justice Services Operation Ceasefire Special Fund.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: The allocation of these funds will allow the Richmond Police Department to sustain evidence-based solutions that disrupt local cycles of violence while improving community safety.
BUDGET AMENDMENT NECESSARY: Yes. This code amendment will be to the FY26 Special Fund Budget.
REVENUE TO CITY: The City of Richmond will add $225,388.00 to the FY26 Special Funds Budget.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: March 9, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: March 23, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent Agenda
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Public Safety
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: None.
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Strategic Planning, and the Richmond Police Department
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: This ordinance is requested due to amends ORD 2025-057
REQUIRED CHANGES TO WORK PROGRAM(S): None.
ATTACHMENTS: ORD 2025-057
STAFF:
Richard G. Edwards, Chief of Police, Richard.Edwards@rva.gov <mailto:Richard.Edwards@rva.gov>
Rhanelle Collins-Meredith, Assistant City Attorney, Rhanelle.Collins3@rva.gov <mailto:Rhanelle.Collins3@rva.gov>
Albert B. Stokes, Jr., Civilian Deputy Chief, Albert.Stokes@rva.gov <mailto:Albert.Stokes@rva.gov>
Matthew E. Peanort, III. Deputy Director, Matthew.Peanort@rva.gov <mailto:Matthew.Peanort@rva.gov>
DeAndrea Williams, Grants Coordinator, DeAndrea.Williams@rva.gov <mailto:DeAndrea.Williams@rva.gov>