RICHMOND, Va. — A recent audit of Richmond’s Finance Department revealed deficient customer service, poor management, and unorganized accounting of taxpayer documents.
Through a public records request, CBS 6 obtained an August 27 report completed by consultant Anne Seward, contracted by the city to help reform the finance department.
Invoices showed finance director Sheila White first contacted Seward to discuss the department’s needs on January 11, right around when restaurant owners started voicing concerns about unfair meals tax late fees and collection practices.
Seward was officially contracted in March at $200 per hour and has billed the city more than $130,000 so far for her services. Her contract, which is in effect through December, states that Seward is to make her recommendations in writing.
When CBS 6 initially requested those written recommendations in July, the city stated there were no responsive records at that time.
“If we consider this a problem, which many of us do – not only those who work here in the City of Richmond but also those in the community consider it a problematic department that needs fixing, that needs investment, that needs reform, then I’m going to do everything I can to get it right. And if a director needs more help, more high-level help from a subject matter expert like Ms. Seward, then I want to give them that help,” Mayor Levar Stoney said during a September press conference when asked why hiring the consultant was necessary.