Description
Title: To authorize the Council’s Organizational Development Standing Committee to investigate the City’s failure to publish a monthly payment register as required by City Code § 12-16 and application of exclusions allowed under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Summary
On April 27, 2026, a resolution was introduced to empower the City of Richmond's Organizational Development Standing Committee to investigate the city's failure to publish a monthly payment register, as mandated by City Code § 12-16. This legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Kenya Gibson, addresses non-compliance dating back to 2019, when the city ceased publication due to difficulties in data extraction and the high costs associated with fulfilling Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The investigation will focus on payment records for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. This matter is crucial for ensuring government transparency and accountability, allowing citizens to access information necessary for holding officials accountable. A public hearing is scheduled for May 11, 2026.