Richmond City Council appoints Foster Curtiss as Interim Richmond Inspector General

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

Informing | Engaging | Posting | Sharing

2 June 2025 

Richmond City Council appoints Foster Curtiss as Interim Richmond Inspector General

 

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. 6.2.2025) – Richmond City Council announces its appointment today of Foster Curtiss as Interim Richmond Inspector General for the Richmond City Council Office of Inspector General.

 

Mr. Curtiss joined the Richmond City Council Office of Inspector General this year and serves as its Investigations Manager. Prior to that, Mr. Curtiss served as Division Chief of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Office of the Inspector General. This represented the culmination of a 22-year career with that federal agency, having held progressive roles involving sensitive and complex workplace investigations, threat assessments, and incident response.

 

A highly experienced professional, Mr. Curtiss has received numerous awards, commendations, and recognitions for his work, which include the U.S. Department of State Superior Honor Award for Exemplary Support, Special Agent of the Year for Criminal Investigations, and three-time receipt of the NCIS Expeditionary Medal for Service in Africa and Iraq.

 

 Mr. Curtiss earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville, and is nationally certified by the Association of Inspectors General as both a Certified Inspector General Investigator and a Certified Inspector General.

 

Richmond City Council thanks Mr. Curtiss for his assistance serving in this interim role during this period of leadership transition through the appointment of a new Inspector General and extends gratitude and appreciation to all Office of Inspector General staff for their critical work on behalf of Richmond residents. 

 

The work of the Richmond City Council Office of Inspector General includes detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the programs and operations of the Richmond Government through objective investigations, inspections, and assistance.

 

CONTACT

For more information, please contact: Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, at 804.646.6052 (tel); or steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)

 

 

- E N D –

 

Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 300 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

Richmond City Council May 27, 2025 Informal and Formal Meeting Canceled: Rescheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

Informing | Engaging | Posting | Sharing

27 May 2025 

 

Richmond City Council May 27, 2025 Informal and Formal Meeting Canceled: Rescheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025

 

WHAT:          The May 27, 2025 Informal and Formal Council meetings have been CANCELLED and are rescheduled to Monday, June 2, 2025.

WHEN:          Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., respectively

Monday, June 2, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., respectively

 

WHERE:         Richmond City Council Chambers

                        Richmond City Hall

                        Second Floor

                        900 East Broad Street

                        Richmond, Virginia 23219

CONTACT:  For more information, please contact City Clerk Candice Reid at 804.646.7955 or Candice.Reid@rva.gov.

 

 

 

- E N D -

 

 

Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 300 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

Statement regarding the Office of Inspector General

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

Informing | Engaging | Posting | Sharing

15 May 2025 

 

Statement regarding the

Office of Inspector General

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. 5.15.2025) – “During this period of leadership transition, the vital work of the Office of Inspector General continues without interruption, including the investigations regarding the retirement payments and the potential abuse of city funds,” says Council President Cynthia I. Newbille. “The investigators and staff remain fully committed to upholding the mission of promoting integrity, accountability, and efficiency in all City operations. Additionally, there will be no comment on personnel matters.”

 

 

 

- E N D –

 

 

 

 

Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 300 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

Richmond City Council Statement regarding Inspector General

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

Informing | Engaging | Posting | Sharing

13 May 2025 

Link:

 

 

Richmond City Council Statement regarding

Inspector General

 

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. 5.13.2025) – “The Inspector General’s Office is of critical importance to the oversight work of City Council. An Interim IG will manage the ongoing work while Council oversees the transition in leadership.

 

No comments will be made on personnel matters.”

 

 

 

- E N D –

 

 

 

 

Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 300 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

FY 2026 Richmond Government Budget established

 Richmond City Council / News Release

Informing | Engaging | Posting | Sharing

12 May 2025 

FY 2026 Richmond Government Budget established

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. 5.12.2025) – Richmond City Council tonight established the FY 2026 Richmond Government Budget. Spanning March through May, the FY 2026 Richmond Government Budget review/establishment process involved 10 meetings that included the Mayor submitting a proposed budget, which Council reviewed and amended.

The process concluded with Council approving the budget during its scheduled formal meeting on Monday, May 12, 2025. The Fiscal Year 2026 Richmond Government Budget runs July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

“This budget reflects our community’s shared vision for building a stronger, more equitable Richmond. With investments in Richmond Public Schools, housing affordability, and government efficiency, we continue to build on our city’s belief that every resident can thrive,” say Council President Cynthia Newbille and Richmond Mayor Danny Avula. “We are proud of all the work, input, conversations, and decisioning surrounding the priorities that matter most to Richmond residents.”

    Some key budget items include:

·       Balanced, Efficient, and Transparent Budget

Establishing a balanced, efficient, and transparent Fiscal Year 2026 Richmond Government Budget of $3,028,928,656, which includes a Richmond General Fund of $1,056,511,879 and a Richmond Capital Improvement Plan of $549,592,657.

·       Water Treatment Plant

Investing more than $60 million in planned capital improvement plan investments to fund water treatment plant improvement projects, including $38 million proposed for next year, a significant acceleration in funding.

·       Richmond Public Schools

Increasing Richmond’s local contribution to Richmond Public Schools by an additional $9.6 million, for a total local funding amount of $285,077,421 which, in addition to $239,298,991 provided by state, federal, and other funds, makes the total FY 2026 funding for Richmond Public Schools: $524,376,412

·       Richmond Complete Streets - Infrastructure

Building stronger Richmond Infrastructure by investing $21 million in paving improvements and safety enhancement projects, which include pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, traffic calming/control, speed tables, bike lanes, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), etc.

·       Affordable Housing

Investing $50 million over the next five years in affordable housing.

-   23 Affordable Housing Performance Grants that will support the creation of 3,316 affordable housing units

-    investing $1,700,000 for Eviction Diversion, which provides critical support to families facing housing instability and helps keep residents in their homes during financial hardships

·       Parks, recreation, and thriving sustainable environments

Investing

-     $6.5 million in new Parks Maintenance

-     $11 million for the Fall Line Trail

-     $10.1 million multi-use cultural heritage campus in Shockoe Bottom

-     $6 million supporting investments in Brown's Island

-     $2.4 million for a connection to the James River in Manchester

-     $150,000 for the Neighborhood Climate Resilience Grant Program

·       Dedicated City Staff

Investing $18.6 million in employees by providing a 3.25 percent salary increase for eligible general employees and an average of 10.3 percent for sworn police officers and firefighters.

“The annual budget is a product of hard work, shared priorities, dedication, and commitment to responsible governance,” say Mayor Danny Avula and Council President Cynthia Newbille. “We thank all Richmond City Administration personnel and Richmond City Council Staff for their experience, expertise, diligence, and shepherding throughout the year-long budget process.”

CONTACT For more information, please contact:

Mira Signer, Press Secretary for Mayor Danny Avula, at 804.960.3448 (tel/mobile); or mira.signer@rva.gov (email)

Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, at 804.646.6052 (tel); or steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)

 

- E N D –

 

 

 

 

Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 300 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

Richmond City Council appoints RJ Warren as its new Council Chief of Staff

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

Informing | Engaging | Posting | Sharing

12 May 2025 

Photo – RJ Warren

Richmond City Council appoints RJ Warren as its new Council Chief of Staff

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. 5.12.2025) – Richmond City Council is pleased to announce its appointment of RJ Warren to head the Richmond City Council Office of Council Chief of Staff as its new Council Chief of Staff.

In this position, Mr. Warren will assist Richmond City Council in its role of creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and establishing the Richmond Government Budget.

Mr. Warren has nearly 18 years of public service experience. Since 2019 he has been serving as the Deputy City Clerk for the Richmond City Council Office of City Clerk. Prior to that, Mr. Warren served for more than 11 years in progressive roles with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Mr. Warren earned his Bachelor of Arts from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. Additionally, Mr. Warren undertook Foundations of Management for the U.S. Courts Certification, at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C.

Richmond City Council is pleased to have Mr. Warren’s exceptional knowledge, skills, and abilities and considers him an outstanding choice to lead this important Council Office. Council welcomes Mr. Warren to this new role and looks forward to his service on behalf of Richmond residents.

Richmond City Council also expresses its appreciation to Matthew Slaats, PhD for serving as Interim Council Chief of Staff during the recruitment process.

Mr. Warren was appointed by Richmond City Council Resolution on May 12, 2025 and will began his role in that office on Monday, June 2, 2025.

The Richmond City Council Office of Council Chief of Staff is one of six Council Offices and about 50 Boards and Commissions that report to Council.

CONTACT

For more information, please contact: Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, at 804.646.6052 (tel); or steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)

 

 

- E N D –

 

Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 300 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)