Richmond City Council congratulates its Office of City Auditor on earning the Association of Local Government Auditors: 2025 Exemplary Knighton Award

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

Engaging | Posting | Sharing

April 2, 2026

 

 

Richmond City Council congratulates its Office of City Auditor on earning the Association of Local Government Auditors: 2025 Exemplary Knighton Award

 

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. 4.2.2026) - Richmond City Council congratulates its Office of City Auditor on earning the Association of Local Government Auditors: 2025 Exemplary Knighton Award for demonstrating excellence in local government auditing.

 

The Award recognizes the Richmond City Council Office of City Auditor for its report regarding city purchasing cards. Richmond’s report was deemed one of the best performance audits issued in 2025 by local government audit organizations similar to Richmond in size and among its 300 plus members in United States and Canada.

 

Reports are judged on criteria including potential impact, persuasive and well-supported conclusions, recommendations that improve government efficiency and effectiveness, and clear communication.

                                              

Richmond City Council Statement

“Richmond City Council celebrates the work of its Office of City Auditor as critical to providing independent oversight and recommendations needed for helping strengthen our City governmental operations,” says Council President Cynthia I. Newbille, Richmond City Council. “This well-earned distinction recognizes and reflects the high-quality work it constantly delivers and its ongoing commitment to excellence in internal auditing. Its work increases the integrity, efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of city government on behalf of all Richmond residents.”

 

Riad Ali, City Auditor Statement

“I am proud of our audit team for the rigorous work behind the Purchasing Cards report and grateful to ALGA for this recognition,” says Riad Ali, City Auditor. “I am especially encouraged that the City has implemented many of our recommendations as it works to relaunch the program.”

 

The Richmond City Council Office of City Auditor will receive its award at the 2026 Association of Local Government Auditors Annual Conference, being held May 3-6, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

CONTACT: Riad Ali, City Auditor, Richmond City Council Office of City Auditor 804.646.5640 (tel); riad.ali@rva.gov

 

 

 

 

-End-

 

 

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 holds Public Hearing on Mayor’s Proposed FY 2027 Richmond Government Budget, increases funding for Firefighter Safety, and extends Richmond Employee First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program to Richmond Public Schools Employees

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

Engaging | Posting | Sharing

March 23, 2026

 

Richmond City Council holds Public Hearing on Mayor’s Proposed FY 2027 Richmond Government Budget, increases funding for Firefighter Safety, and extends Richmond Employee First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program to Richmond Public Schools Employees

 

 

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. 3.23.2026) - Richmond City Council Formal Meeting Highlights: March 23, 2026.

 

Held Public Hearing on Mayor’s Proposed FY 2027 Richmond Government Budget

Council held a Public Hearing on the Mayor’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Richmond Government Budget for residents to share thoughts, suggestions, concerns, and ideas.

 

Increased Richmond Firefighter Safety Equipment

Council approved additional grant funding from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to provide more Personal Protective Equipment for Richmond Firefighters.

 

Further Advanced Urban Agriculture

Council continued to advance urban agriculture efforts within the city by selling additional city-owned real estate for nominal cost to the Central Virginia Agrarian Commons.

 

Increased Beautification of Byrd Park

Council approved donation of landscaping services for tree improvements in Byrd Park.

 

Extended Richmond Employee First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program to Richmond Public Schools Employees

Council adopted an ordinance to add employees of the School Board of the City of Richmond to the Richmond Employee First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program.

 

Further Strengthened Funding for Opioid Recovery and Support Programs

Council adopted additional legislation to further fund opioid recovery and support efforts.

 

Reviewed and Considered Special Use Permits

Council reviewed and considered Special Use Permit ordinances for properties in the city.

 

Summary of Richmond City Council Formal Meeting

Council legislative action and newly Introduced legislation.

 

Access/Learn More

To access and learn more about Richmond City Council Formal, Informal, and Standing Committee meetings, recordings, and legislative documents, please visit: https://richmondva.legistar.com/

 

CONTACT: Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, 804.646.6052 (tel); steven.skinner@rva.gov (email)

 

 

-End-

 

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 honors Richmond Free Press, strengthens Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund, advances Richmond Diamond District, and increases opioid recovery support

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

Engaging | Posting | Sharing

February 23, 2026

 

 

Richmond City Council honors Richmond Free Press, strengthens Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund, advances Richmond Diamond District, and increases opioid recovery support

 

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. 2.23.2026) - Richmond City Council Formal Meeting: Feb. 23, 2026 Highlights:

 

Celebrated the Richmond Free Press

Richmond City Council and Mayor Danny Avula celebrated the Richmond Free Press for its legacy of more than 30 years as an independent Black family-owned and operated community newspaper distributed free of charge throughout the Greater Richmond area.

 

Strengthened Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Council strengthened the Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund by establishing a dedicated, predictable amount and source of funding and increasing program accountability and transparency for construction and preservation of affordable housing across Richmond.

 

Amplified Erosion and Stormwater Management and Chesapeake Bay Preservation

Council amplified Richmond Erosion and Stormwater Management and Chesapeake Bay Preservation by updating Richmond Code of Laws (Ordinances) with recent state laws and regulations approved by the Virginia (State) Water Control Board.

 

Advanced Richmond Diamond District Project

Council advanced the redevelopment of the Richmond Diamond District by transferring $14.7 million to the Richmond Economic Development Authority.

 

Increased Funding for Opioid Recovery and Support Programs

Council adopted legislation funding opioid recovery and support from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority for harm reduction efforts and grants to community partners.

 

Increased Funding for Healthy Families

Council accepted funds from the Family and Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia to provide to the Richmond Department of Social services for funding the Healthy Families Program.

 

Approved Special Use Permits

Council approved numerous Special Use Permit ordinances for properties in the city.

 

Summary of Richmond City Council Formal Meeting

Legislative Action and New Introduced Legislation

 

Access/Learn More

To access and learn more about Richmond City Council Formal, Informal, and Standing Committee meetings, recordings, and legislative documents, please visit: https://richmondva.legistar.com/

 

CONTACT

Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, 804.646.6052 (tel); steven.skinner@rva.gov (email)

-End-

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