The Richmond City Council held a special meeting on April 21-22, 2025, focusing on the ongoing budget discussions and the challenges faced by the city. The meeting began with council members acknowledging the importance of community input and the value of city employees, including teachers, administrative staff, and public service workers.

Council Member Gibson emphasized the difficulty of managing a billion-dollar budget, noting the limited time available for thorough analysis. She expressed frustration over the rejection of proposed budget cuts and highlighted the need for a more equitable approach to salary increases, particularly for lower-paid city workers. Gibson called for a system that allows for more time to review budget proposals, suggesting that the process should begin earlier in the year to facilitate better decision-making.

Council Member Trammell echoed these sentiments, advocating for a 3.5% raise for city employees, particularly those in essential roles such as police and janitorial services. He stressed the importance of retaining skilled workers and acknowledged the hard work of city employees who contribute to the community's well-being.

The council discussed the need for further information from the administration regarding potential budget cuts and positions that could be affected. A proposal was made to hold a work session on the following Monday to review this information and prepare for a special meeting to introduce budget papers, with a vote scheduled for the following week.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue engaging with the community and addressing the concerns raised by residents and city employees. The council members expressed their dedication to transforming the city through thoughtful policy-making and equitable resource allocation.