May 19, 2026
Economic Development
DATE: May 19, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Jesson de Leon, Senior Business Assistance Officer
Junne Garcia, Management Analyst
Antonio Banuelos, Accounting Manager
Subject:
Downtown Richmond Property and Business
Improvement District Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Assessment
Levy
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City’s annual contribution to the DRPBID, for services provided to City parcels will be $39,847.50,
which is included within the proposed fiscal year 2026- 2027 General Fund Non-Departmental Budget (Account
String: 01917090-400391). In addition, the City will
receive a one-percent levy processing fee totaling
$2,457.61.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 19, 2022
June 4, 2024
May 20, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Downtown Richmond Property and Business
Improvement District (DRPBID) annual assessment rates
for Fiscal Year 2026–2027 require City Council approval to continue funding enhanced cleaning, maintenance,
security, marketing, and business support services within Downtown Richmond. The proposed assessment
adjustment reflects a 2.4 percent increase in accordance with the adopted Management District Plan and includes
the City’s proportional share assessment obligation for publicly owned parcels within the district.
AGENDA
REPORT
May 19, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the City of Richmond to
levy assessments on property owners subject to the
Downtown Richmond Property and Business
Improvement District through the County of Contra Costa property tax rolls for Fiscal Year 2026–2027 – Economic Development Department (Jesson de Leon 510-412-
2023/Antonio Banuelos 510-620-6741/Junne Garcia 510-
620-6524/Nannette Beacham 510-620-1306).
BACKGROUND:
The Richmond Main Street Initiative, Inc. (RMSI), serves as the administrator of the Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District (DRPBID), overseeing the district to provide enhanced services and safeguard new physical improvements in Downtown. The DRPBID offers supplementary cleaning, maintenance, security, marketing, promotions, and business attraction services throughout Downtown Richmond.
The Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994, Streets and Highways Code §36600 et seq. authorizes cities and counties to renew property and business improvement districts upon petition by a weighted majority of property owners within the proposed district and affirmative ballot. The DRPBID, established in 2013, was renewed with the adoption of a Management District Plan until the end of 2029 by City Council on July 19, 2022.
The DRPBID is governed in accordance with a written Management District Plan, pursuant to Streets and Highways Code section 36622. The Plan sets guidelines for the district, including the assessment rate, service plan, collection provisions, and governance. In addition, the Plan has been certified by a registered professional engineer, and the original is on file with the City Clerk.
DISCUSSION:
Property owners are assessed based on the benefits received, with the assessment formula based on gross lot square footage. For Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the assessment rates have been increased by 2.4 percent, as determined by the Richmond Main Street Initiative, Inc. Board on March 16, 2026. As a result, commercial parcel owners will be assessed at $0.1536 per parcel square foot annually, and non-profit housing agency parcel owners will be assessed at $0.08192 per parcel square foot.
Under “The Right to Vote on Taxes Act” (Proposition 218), all public agencies are required to pay the same assessments for public property as applied to private property unless they can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the public property does not receive a benefit. The Management District Plan further provides that the City and other public entities are responsible for paying their proportional “fair share” of all assessments.
May 19, 2026
NEXT STEPS:
City staff recommend that the City Council adopt the resolution authorizing the levy of assessments for the Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District (DRPBID) for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and direct the City of Richmond Finance Department to submit the assessment roll to the County of Contra Costa for inclusion on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 property tax rolls.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
Strategic Goal Areas
2. Increase revenue and improve economic development
3. Improve the quality of life, community health, and social determinants of health
General Plan 2030
Policy ED1.1 Safe, Well-Maintained Neighborhoods and Public Space. Reduce crime and violence and maintain safe and clean neighborhoods and public spaces.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 - RMSI 2026_2027 DRPBID Letter of Request Tax Levy Attachment 2 - Management District Plan
Attachment 3 - 2026-2027 DRPBID Proposed Tax Levy (Exhibit A) Attachment 4 - 2026-2027 City of Richmond Assessed Properties Attachment 5 - Resolution to Levy PBID FY 2026-2027