Richmond, Chesterfield approve 1% sales tax hikes
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
Richmond and Chesterfield voters approved sales tax hikes that will bring in roughly $117 million a year combined to rebuild and renovate aging public schools.
Why it matters: Both localities face massive school construction bills, and voters just gave officials a new way to pay for them.
How it works: The measure allows each locality to raise its sales tax from 6% to 7%, adding $1 to every $100 in taxable purchases, but local officials still have to vote to enact it.
- Groceries and essential personal hygiene products would be exempt.
- Both governments have floated property tax cuts to offset some of the added costs if passed, though those reductions aren't guaranteed.
Yes, but: While local officials have pushed the increases as a lifeline for overdue school projects, some residents questioned paying more amid concerns about government spending and already-high taxes.
Here's how the local races broke down Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections and VPAP.
Richmond sales tax referendum
Roughly 68% of voters had approved the proposed 1 percentage point sales tax increase, which officials estimate could generate $47 million annually.
The stakes: RPS faces hundreds of millions in repairs to aging buildings, with the tax potentially supporting $850 million in school projects through 2034.
- Mayor Danny Avula pledged to seek a 1 percentage point cut in the meals tax and proposed lowering the real estate tax rate by 1 cent if the referendum passed.
Reality check: Those cuts aren't guaranteed. Richmond faces a projected $17.3 million budget deficit in fiscal 2028, which could grow to nearly $22 million with a 1-cent real estate tax cut.
- Avula has said he still wants to pursue tax relief, but the city's financial outlook could change what he proposes in March.
Chesterfield sales tax referendum
About 50.5% of voters approved the proposed increase, which could raise up to $70 million annually — but the razor-thin margin makes it eligible for a recount.
The stakes: Chesterfield estimates it needs $850 million for school maintenance over the next decade, but has budgeted just $130 million, per the Richmonder.
- The revenue could accelerate six major school projects, including work at Matoaca Middle, Midlothian Middle and Thomas Dale High.
- Supervisors previously signaled plans to cut the real estate tax rate by 2 cents and the personal property tax rate by 10 cents if voters approved the increase.
Between the lines: Chesterfield estimates the average household would pay $162 more in sales taxes annually, with about $94 in potential property tax relief for homeowners who own a car.
Richmond School Board, 6th District
Jackie McDonnough pulled off a surprise upset against former Virginia education secretary Anne Holton in the special election to represent parts of downtown, Northside and Manchester with 65% of the vote.
- Holton was appointed to the seat in February. McDonnough is a longtime educator and former VCU professor.
Chesterfield School Board, Clover Hill District
Christina Brady was poised to win the special election to take over Dot Heffron's term through 2027 with 58% of the vote.
- Brady is a first-time candidate. Elizabeth Schultz previously served on the Fairfax County School Board and under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Hanover sheriff
Gregory Six won the special election for Hanover sheriff.
- Six is the interim sheriff. Rickey Dandridge ran as an independent.
Chesterfield Board of Supervisors, Dale District
Democrat LeQuan Hylton ran unopposed to serve the remainder of the late Jim Holland's term through December 2027.