RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Under the EngageRVA town hall meetings series early this year, Richmond city officials announced Wednesday that a thousand residents were able to share how their interests, concerns and opinions should influence the city's upcoming budget. By May 31, 2026, city officials hav e to agree on a FY 2027 budget, which would take effect between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. They say the top priorities are education and public safety, while others added that general government and health and wellness should be the top priorities. Richmond Mayor Danny Avula believes the several town halls helped steer his administration to put focus on programs in his 500-page proposed budget announced in March. One of the large proposed expenditures is using $38.8 million in state funding for road and pedestrian infrastructure improvements, coming on the heels of 14 vehicle-pedestrian crash deaths in Central Virginia in 2026 so far. Richmond City Council is also weighing budget amendments, where more citizens took the podium at Monday's council meeting to influence policy-making. Some told their elected officials to fund the city school system's virtual school. Others told elected officials to cancel contracts with Flock license plate readers. Read more on the highlights of Avula's budget here. ...read more read less