Commits to Continued Diligence in Identifying and Addressing Shortfalls  

Richmond, VA  — During a presentation to the Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee yesterday afternoon, Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II  delivered a comprehensive update on the City’s financial and budgetary processes over the past year, underscoring the strong commitment to transparency and collaborative governance that has been a hallmark of Mayor Danny Avula’s Administration since taking office last year.  

The presentation detailed key milestones achieved in fiscal management, long-range planning, and budget execution and illustrated the City’s continued focus on responsible stewardship of public resources.  

“Financial transparency, best in class service delivery, and collaboration with Council and our community remain central to how we operate,” said Donald . “This update provides a thorough look at the measurable progress we’ve made together, and next steps in ensuring that the government’s fiscal health supports the long-term stability and growth of Richmond.”  

CAO began by highlighting the breadth and depth of challenges faced by the new Administration in getting the Finance and Budget functions back on track, including limited internal controls, inconsistent reporting, unexpected costs, a high volume of audit findings, leadership and staffing constraints, and systems challenges, to name a few.  

Early efforts to course correct have focused on the fundamentals, including a restoration of operational stability and confidence. These efforts have begun to take shape over the past several months, in the form of:  

• New Staff to Meet the Mission Need: With the hiring of a new DCAO for Finance and Administration , a new Director of Finance , and a new Director of Revenue , the City has strengthened executive leadership to ensure top tier service delivery and oversight of these critical portfolios. 
• Accurate Real Estate Tax Billing: In December 2025, the Department of Finance issued more than 70,000 accurate real estate tax bills overcoming significant existing operational challenges and revising standard operating procedures to ensure timely, accurate, and responsible billing.
• Enhancements to RVAPay Portal: In January 2026, the City launched significant enhancements to the RVA Business / RVA Pay Portal for the 2026 tax year, improving transparency, compliance, and ease of use for taxpayers. 
• Successful Implementation of City Council Ordinance: In January 2026, the City implemented the new business, professional and occupational license (BPOL) taxes threshold approved by City Council under Ordinance No. 2024-187 , doubling the exemption level from $250,000 to $500,000. City staff seamlessly implemented the change , as requested by Council, allowing Richmond small businesses with with gross receipts between $5,000 and $500,000 to pay a $30 flat license fee, reducing their financial burden and allowing them to focus on what matters most. 

Additionally, Mr. Donald drew attention to complex legislative and fiscal matters addressed by the administration over the past year, including the Grimm settlement, GAP Grant enabling legislation, proposed tax rollback rates, janitorial and security legislation, and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, to name a few. 

Importantly, the City has accomplished this while maintaining a strong credit profile, retaining its Aa1 issuer and Aa1 general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) ratings from Moody’s. 

“We are committed to getting this right,” said DCAO for Finance and Administration Tanikia Jackson . “And that means turning over every stone to, in the words of Mayor Avula, ‘Look for it, Find it, and Fix it.’ I’m excited by the work we’ve done on behalf of Richmonders and look forward to reporting back on additional actions taken in the coming months.”