April 25 Newsletter: Housing costs projected to keep rising
Weather: Scattered showers move through today and tomorrow before a beautiful Sunday.
On this date in 1781, the Battle of Blandford takes place in Petersburg. British troops overwhelm American revolutionary forces, who suffer more than 150 casualties.
Local housing demand likely to remain higher than supply, says Richmond home building chief
Chad Joyce said housing demand in the region will likely continue to outstrip supply “for at least the next two or three years.”
- The median price of a home in the city was $415,000 last month.
- "I’m very nervous about where pricing is going to go over the next six months to a year,” Joyce said, adding that he thinks "it can still continue to elevate."
Read more on the challenges that persist for homebuilders.
City says budget wasn’t relying on $12 million in federal funds for water plant repairs
The canceled $12 million federal grant for water system repairs was not part of this year's budget, so it will not impact negotiations.
But DPU Director Scott Morris said if the grant isn't restored, it could lead to a 1% rate increase over the next five years as the city gets the funds through water bills instead of the grant.
Read more on the canceled grant, and why the funding had never formally been promised, here.
Avula says withholding raises from senior City Hall employees would be ‘wrong decision’
In a friendly but tough live debate with City Councilor Sarah Abubaker, the mayor stood by his administration's insistence that all city employees receive 3.5% raises in the new budget.
- Avula said one of the biggest ways he can deliver on his campaign promise to improve City Hall is by being able to recruit and keep qualified people in top jobs.
- The mayor also said he wanted to “dispel” the notion that the city is in a budget crisis, as revenue continues to grow from real estate taxes. Read more here.
Interim registrar will handle primary voting in Richmond
Early voting starts one week from today in June's primaries, and Richmond is still without a registrar at the moment.
- Keith Balmer left in December after an investigation into misconduct by top officials.
Tina Crump, the office’s elections supervisor, is serving as interim registrar and will run the elections. Crump can't apply for the full-time job, though, because she lives in Chesterfield.
Read about the status of the search here.
In other news
- ‘Things are changing:’ Pet pygmy goat wins approval to move to Henrico neighborhood (12 On Your Side)
- Henrico County, Dominion Energy install first free residential solar panels as part of program (8 News)
- Burying Ground memorial dedication held at University of Richmond (CBS 6)
The editor's desk
Wednesday we had a lovable fire dog, now today a beloved pygmy goat moving into a new neighborhood. Which animal will get featured billing on Monday? Stay tuned.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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