Richmond Mayor Proposes Changes to City Payment Records Disclosure

Avula's ordinance aims to 'modernize' reporting, but a city councilwoman calls it a 'breach in public trust'.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:56am

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A realistic oil painting of a city hall building in warm, golden light, with deep shadows casting across the facade, conveying a sense of civic duty and public trust.As Richmond debates the transparency of its financial records, the city hall stands as a symbol of the public's trust in local government.Richmond Today

Richmond Mayor Danny Avula has proposed changes to the city's payment registry ordinance, which would reduce the amount of financial information disclosed to the public. While Avula frames the changes as improving transparency, City Councilwoman Kenya Gibson has criticized the proposal, calling it a 'breach in public trust' and is seeking an investigation into the legality of the proposed redactions.

Why it matters

The payment registry ordinance was enacted in 2015 to promote transparency in how the city spends taxpayer dollars. However, the city had not been regularly publishing the required payment records until recently, when pressure from Councilwoman Gibson led to the release of the fiscal year 2025 registry. Avula's new proposal to limit the scope of information disclosed has raised concerns about the city's commitment to transparency and accountability.

The details

Avula's proposed ordinance would amend the city code to 'modernize payment reporting' by publishing vendor names, payment amounts, and associated city departments, but would exclude other details previously included such as payment dates, invoice descriptions, and fund/account codes. The ordinance would also restrict the release of payments related to employee reimbursements, tax refunds, legal settlements, and information protected by privacy laws.

  • In 2015, Richmond enacted a city code requiring monthly publication of a payment registry.
  • Until recently, the city had not released a payment registry in several years.
  • In late March 2026, Mayor Avula published the fiscal year 2025 payment registry after pressure from Councilwoman Gibson.
  • On April 11, 2026, Avula's administration proposed the ordinance to amend the city's payment reporting requirements.

The players

Danny Avula

The mayor of Richmond, Virginia, who is proposing changes to the city's payment registry ordinance.

Kenya Gibson

A Richmond city councilwoman who has criticized Avula's proposed ordinance as a 'breach in public trust' and is seeking an investigation into the legality of the proposed changes.

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What they’re saying

“My ordinance gives the public the information they have a right to have about how taxpayer dollars are spent while creating a system that can actually work the way it was intended.”

— Danny Avula, Mayor of Richmond

“Richmonders already don't trust city government. If we expect them to accept that transparency is 'too difficult,' we need to show clear proof.”

— Kenya Gibson, Richmond City Councilwoman

What’s next

The Richmond City Council will review and vote on Avula's proposed ordinance to amend the city's payment registry requirements.

The takeaway

This debate over the payment registry highlights the ongoing tension between a city administration's desire for efficiency and the public's demand for transparency in how taxpayer funds are spent. The outcome of this proposal could have significant implications for trust in Richmond's local government.