Mayor Avula has announced several process improvements aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in Richmond city government. These reforms are intended to address audit findings, modernize outdated procedures, and improve services for residents.
This summer, the Mayor’s office took part in a Budget Task Force that reviewed the City’s budget development and proposal process. The task force included members of the Richmond City Council such as Katherine Jordan and Ellen Robertson, along with staff from both the Council and Administration. Other participants were Chief Administration Officer Odie Donald II, Mayor’s Chief of Staff Lawson Wijesooriya, Senior Policy Advisor Thad Williamson, and Director of Budget and Strategic Planning Meghan Brown.
The main goal was to review current practices and find ways to enhance discussion, feedback, and community input on the budget. The task force has put forward six recommendations: early collaboration between the Mayor and Council through a public kickoff; moving up the timeline for the Mayor’s budget submission; organizing work sessions by four key city portfolios; implementing a standardized amendment process; adding more public hearings before finalizing budgets; and holding annual reviews for ongoing improvement.
According to these recommendations: “The revised process will ensure more transparency and a stronger focus on aligning resources with community needs.” The administration plans to present these changes to Richmond City Council. Both groups will then work together on creating standard operating procedures, drafting any necessary legislation, and communicating updates widely.
In addition to budget reforms, changes are being made to how grants are awarded through non-departmental funding. Currently, over 70 community-based organizations receive city-administered grants through a system managed entirely by city staff without centralized policies. On August 28, 2025, Mayor Avula introduced a plan for an intermediary organization model focusing on Economic Mobility, Children and Education, Arts and Culture, and Health—areas aligned with his vision for a thriving Richmond. This overhaul responds directly to recommendations made in a February 25 City Auditor’s report.
City agencies have also completed their Strategic Action Plans as required by local ordinances ORD. 2018-030 and ORD. 2019-157. These plans form the basis for accountability within city government structures. Later this fall, Mayor Avula is expected to introduce his Mayoral Action Plan (MAP), which builds upon seven pillars meant to guide policy-making across city departments:
“A Thriving City Government (that gets things done)
Thriving Neighborhoods (that meet our housing needs)
Thriving Families (where every child succeeds)
A Thriving Economy (that leaves no one behind)
A Thriving and Inclusive City (where everyone’s rights are protected)
A Thriving and Sustainable Built Environment (planned for future generations)
A City that Tells its Stories (and tells the truth about its past)”
These efforts collectively seek to support better outcomes for residents while strengthening oversight in municipal operations.
