Title
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.
Body
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
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
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
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
WHEREAS, in accordance with section 3.06.1 of the Charter of the City of Richmond
(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
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, moder...
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