100 Days Report of the Chief Administrative Officer
Dear Richmond,
After 100 days as Mayor Avula’s appointee as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond, I remain excited, encouraged, and focused on delivering an even more vibrant Richmond. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mayor Avula, the Richmond City Council, staff, the business, philanthropic, and faith-based communities, regional partners, and the many Richmonders I have< had an opportunity to connect with across the City, for allowing me the opportunity to serve the Commonwealth’s capital.
The first months that follow an appointment bring a flood of unexpected demands, and how time gets managed during this window of time will shape our collective effectiveness for years to come. The first 100 days are often thought of as a sprint, but instead, with Mayor Avula’s guidance, we have used this time to methodically set long-term patterns, build trust, and strengthen core capacities. The Avula administration has created an aggressive agenda focused on putting the necessary infrastructure in place to govern a rapidly evolving city.
With that said, fiscal sustainability, infrastructure, education, and public safety are always at the forefront of government service. Despite an array of historical challenges, signs of progress are everywhere. In the pages that follow, you will see documented signs of that progress, as well as details on the Avula administration’s initial analysis focused on fiscal sustainability, improved operations, continued improvements in public safety, and affordability issues. The first 100 days solidify efforts to build a foundation.
In partnership with our Mayor and the Richmond City Council we are taking action to deliver a world-class city where everyone matters, setting a solid foundation benefitting generations to come. At a time when cities across the country are navigating uncertainty ranging from housing pressures to shrinking federal support - Richmond has a choice: fold to challenges or build the future we deserve. My first 100 days as Chief Administrative Officer have crystalized that we have the elected leadership, staff capacity, and the support of Richmonders to choose the latter.
In service,
Odie Donald II
Chief Administrative Officer
City of Richmond
