title
To amend City Code ? 2-772, concerning the filing of statements of economic interests, for the purpose of requiring more detailed disclosure forms of boards and commissions with the power to issue bonds or expend funds in excess of $10,000 in any fiscal year.
body
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
? 1. That section 2-772 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020) be and is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 2-772. Filing of statement of economic interests.
(a) The members of the governing bodies of the following boards or commissions appointed by the Council, as a condition of assuming office, shall file a disclosure form of their personal interests and such other information as is specified on the form set forth in Code of Virginia, ? 2.2-3117, and thereafter file such form annually:
(1) The Capital Region Airport Commission;
(2) The Economic Development Authority;
(3) The Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and
(4) The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
(b) Any nonsalaried citizen members who are appointed by the Council to a board or commission and who receive monetary compensation either on a monthly basis or on a per-meeting basis shall file with the City Clerk, as a condition of assuming office, a disclosure form of their personal interests and such other information as is specified on the form set forth in Code of Virginia, ? 2.2-3118, and thereafter shall file such form annually on or before January 15. Such appointments include, but are not limited to, those made by the Council to the following:
(1) The [Capital Region Airport Commission] Affordable Housing Trust Fund Supervisory Board;
(2) The City Planning Commission; and
(3) [The Greater Richmond Transit Company Committee;
(4) The Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority;
(5) The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority; and
(6)] The Richmond Retirement System.
(c) The City Clerk shall make available to Council, upon request, such disclosure forms filed in accordance with subsections (a) and (b).
? 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: September 8, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff
THROUGH: Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager
FROM: The Honorable Kenya Gibson, Councilmember 3rd District
RE: To amend City Code ? 2-772, concerning the filing of statements of economic interests, for the purpose of requiring more detailed disclosure forms of boards and commissions with the power to issue bonds or expend funds in excess of $10,000 in any fiscal year.
CNL-2025-0015
PURPOSE: This ordinance amends City Code ? 2-772 to enhance the Council's review of candidates' potential conflicts of interest for significant city boards and commissions with the power to issue bonds or expend funds in excess of $10,000 in any fiscal year. City Code currently requires that appointees to six boards and commissions (Capital Region Airport Commission, City Planning Commission, Greater Richmond Transit Company Committee, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority; and Richmond Retirement System) file disclosure forms of their personal interests as a condition of assuming office. Other supervisory boards with substantial power to spend public funds and impact residents' lives are not included, most notably the Economic Development Authority and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Supervisory Board.
Further, the current disclosure requirements in City Code ? 2-772 (those set forth in Code of Virginia, ? 2.2-3118) are not the most detailed version available under State Code. Virginia Code ? 2.2-3115(A) allows the governing body of a jurisdiction that appoints members to such boards and commissions to require the same disclosure forms required of City Councilmembers (those set forth in Code of Virginia, ? 2.2-3117) for "members of the governing body of any authority established in any county or city, or part or combination thereof, and having the power to issue bonds or expend funds in excess of $10,000 in any fiscal year."
This ordinance addresses these concerns and enhances transparency in two specific ways:
1. Expands the list of boards and commissions required to file disclosure forms to include the Economic Development Authority and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Supervisory Board.
2. Requires collection of more substantial disclosure forms (set forth in Code of Virginia ? 2.2-3117) where authorized:
a. Capital Region Airport Commission
b. Economic Development Authority
c. Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority
d. Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority
BACKGROUND: Appointment and participation in city boards and commissions is a privilege and a great responsibility - especially boards with the power to issue bonds or expend substantial amounts of City funds. The public trust depends on knowing that members of these boards conduct themselves with the utmost integrity and transparency in their dealings with taxpayer funds, publicly owned real estate, and other matters of widespread community interest. Current disclosure requirements fail to include reporting from some of our most significant supervisory boards and require less robust forms of reporting than is allowed by State Code (Va. Code ? 2.2-3115). City employees and residents of public housing put their livelihoods and homes in the hands of appointed officials. Enhancing the Council's oversight, and by extension the public's oversight, of appointees to supervisory boards should therefore be of paramount concern to this government.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Residents, civic associations and community organizations care about transparency in City Hall. This ordinance is part of a broader push from Councilmember Gibson to improve trust in our local government.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: A Thriving City Hall
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: September 8, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 24, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Government Operations Standing Committee
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Office of Chief Administrative Officer,
Office of the City Clerk
Office of the City Attorney
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: Ord. No. 2017-143
ATTACHMENTS: Draft Ordinance
STAFF: Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager, (804-382-7811)