Richmond voters approve 1% sales tax for school construction

Richmond voters approved a 1% sales tax increase to support local school construction, with more than 60% voting in favor, NBC12 reported.

The city expects the tax to generate nearly $47 million annually, potentially funding up to $850 million in school construction and renovations over time.

Many Richmond schools are aging, with at least 10 over 100 years old, and some, like Bellevue and Obama Elementary, faced mold issues earlier this year.

Mayor Danny Avula plans to introduce legislation with City Council to raise the sales tax by 1% and reduce the meals tax from 7.5% to 6.5%.

The new sales tax rate can be implemented no sooner than 120 days after the ordinance passes, and a budget proposal with a real estate tax rate of $1.19 is expected in March.

Avula emphasized that fulfilling these commitments will require careful planning and short-term sacrifices in the current fiscal year to manage spending effectively.