As Richmond’s City Council on Tuesday night again delayed deliberation on Councilwoman Reva Trammell’s proposal to reduce the real estate tax rate, across town, the city’s five mayoral candidates presented competing visions on how to address surging rents and housing prices.
During a debate at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture exactly three weeks before Election Day, moderator and Richmond Times-Dispatch Executive Editor Chris Coates asked the question: would you pledge to reduce the tax rate?
Mayoral candidates speak during the Citizens Debate at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on Tuesday.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
Michelle Mosby, former 9th District councilwoman, said she wasn’t comfortable committing to that.
“To say I’m going to pledge tonight to do that without being there to look at all the ins and the outs of the budget would be premature,” she said.
Like Mayor Levar Stoney’s administration did last week, Mosby pointed to the city’s outstanding financial obligations, which she said include funding for collective bargaining agreements, the Virginia Retirement System, the Diamond District and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
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Michelle Mosby speaks during the Citizens Debate at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on Tuesday.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
Representatives of the administration argued that these commitments, coupled with the upcoming real estate assessment freeze as the city adjusts its assessment calendar, mean the city cannot afford a tax cut just yet. And, according to Mosby, that argument has some merit.
“But I am committed to … looking at it,” she added. “I recognize that the people of Richmond need relief.”
Dr. Danny Avula, former director of the Virginia Department of Social Services, also declined to make any promises. He said that, while officials “absolutely need to look at property tax reduction,” such a reduction must be done in an “equitable way.”
Danny Avula speaks during the Citizens Debate at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on Tuesday.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
“I am 100% committed to working with the council to make sure the budget is balanced,” he said.
Harrison Roday, who previously worked for a New York-based private equity firm, echoed Avula’s stance.
“I am strongly in favor of a targeted approach,” he said. “A citywide tax cut would disproportionately benefit homeowners with home values over a million dollars. Let’s focus on the people who need help.”
Targeted tax relief is currently not permitted under Virginia state law, but Avula and Roday are among those who have called on officials to change that.
Harrison Roday speaks during the Citizens Debate at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on Tuesday.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
Maurice Neblett speaks during the Citizens Debate at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on Tuesday.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
Maurice Neblett, meanwhile, said the city can afford to slash the rate — dramatically — right now.
Neblett, a self-described community organizer, said he has “supported Reva Trammell,” who has proposed cutting the current rate by 4 cents, from $1.20 to $1.16 per $100 of assessed value.
But Neblett didn’t stop there. He said the city could bring the rate all the way down to $1.08 — 12 cents under the current rate, and 6 cents under the rollback rate of $1.14 — if officials manage to source “new stream(s) of revenue,” such as cost-effective prefabricated housing.
Andreas Addison speaks during the Citizens Debate at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on Tuesday.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
Andreas Addison, current 1st District councilman, also pitched a different approach: tax reform. He reiterated his commitment to transitioning the city from a market-based tax rate to a land-value tax model.
Under a land-value tax model, homeowners would be taxed based on the value of the land their homes occupy rather than the value of the development or improvement of those properties. Addison has said this taxation method would prevent residents from being “punished” for improving their homes, and would also stimulate commercial development.
Sabina Sentz takes notes alongside her Girl Scout troop in the front row of the Citizens Debate at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on Tuesday.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
In 2020, the General Assembly — at the urging of Addison — added Richmond to the list of localities authorized to implement a land-value tax, Addison said, and it is past time to act on that approval.
“I’m tired of taxing homeowners,” he said.
Richmond residents will go to the polls to vote in local, state and national elections on Nov. 5.
People listen to the Citizens Debate at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on Tuesday.
Margo Wagner
One of five candidates vying to be Richmond’s mayor, Addison’s campaign focuses heavily on education, public safety, economic growth and transparency — positions shaped by his childhood and government experience.
Michelle Mosby has relied on her past experience to promote her candidacy. Oftentimes, treating each outing as if it were a job interview.
The former head of the Richmond Henrico Health District built a platform in Richmond mayors race that focuses on affordable housing, education reform, government accountability and inclusivity.
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Harrison Roday’s approach to government is a holdover from his days in the private sector: Utilize assets and maximize results.