[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6675472,"mediaKeyId","3626721-d429bebc02012a1c4abc63a58f1f18fe","parentId",3626721,"title","Finance director details errors in real‑estate billing run and steps to remediate; personal‑property process improvements noted","audioSeconds",745,"startMs",3721000,"endMs",4466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626721-d429bebc02012a1c4abc63a58f1f18fe&start=3721&end=4466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626721-d429bebc02012a1c4abc63a58f1f18fe/thumbnail_3721000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6675472/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Finance-director-details-errors-in-realestate-billing-run-and-steps-to-remediate-personalproperty-process-improvements-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675472-0eb77cf86df9f6d0d1cffdb47748f686/orig.mp4?Expires=1770710452&Signature=eAawY8v00pC8h-oDW8ZDsH4x6OeZh5CdE2swG9T9i4UWgnDTGUQVP-tfC0y0dW6f3Gan4LLIPZapZnt4xBBOw~FHxkY0LALwv13MCazPMQ19ZSmTTjd2-u33AeIxai3x0n6O-vb-BLtxrZSX9M6NN4k~BUuGnjES6r1AHhngddxnYQbiroUBOR0m6vUC1tBZZ0EXOGh5euzV4j-pdULjqm0MCVtBUwQuYygdGs~gzNZhN22MYz~PykUFAPhdocQAyYqmqYOC5Y~mK9w4VnjKImr5dbt1ZLbn0~5lrPZbJmkB2yFr89w33zbW4007iiNeq6o1jGKOLTxtwaeec9TP6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-06-02T00:00:00Z","article","Sheila White, senior director of finance for the City of Richmond, briefed council on multiple billing issues affecting residents and on steps taken to modernize revenue administration.

White said the 2025 second‑half real‑estate billing used a runbook template derived from the 2024 second‑half run but that the runbook did not reflect exactly the former manager’s full set of steps and validation counts. The discrepancy led to some lender‑suppressed bills being printed and mailed to property owners rather than to mortgage servicers. \"Simply put, the failure to update the runbook to accurately reflect the steps to process the file and the validation results led us to where we are today,\" White said.

White provided production figures: the roll produced 75,905 bills (not inclusive of certain public‑service and pallet billings); the department mailed 53,409 paper bills; and she said \"$33,209.70 real estate bills were mailed to property owners instead of their mortgage servicers,\" language used in the briefing to describe the outcome. She said the bills themselves were accurate, and that remediation steps include rerunning the process, updating the runbook, retraining staff, providing files to mortgage servicers and an outreach campaign coordinated with the Office of Strategic Communications.

For remediation, White said the finance department will perform an account analysis to identify potential overpayments and decide whether to refund, leave a credit on the account or transfer funds to other tax liabilities. She said that sweep would occur in June and be completed before the close of the accrual period in August.

On personal property (vehicle) assessments, White explained that Virginia law (Code of Virginia §58.1‑3503(a)(3) referenced in the briefing) requires use of a recognized pricing guide such as J.D. Power or NADA. She described improvements in the city’s RVA Pay implementation that move assessment workflows from manual, high‑touch processes to more automated, API‑driven steps and exception reporting. White said that, as a result of iterative changes, the 2025 personal‑property billing did not impose credit‑card convenience fees on taxpayers.

White acknowledged other service problems this year, including rebated checks and errant mailings, and said the department is working with DMV data cleansing and other data‑quality measures to reduce manual adjustments that carry forward as exceptions into the billing system. She invited council members to submit questions and said she would return to committees and meetings for further detail on remediation and modernization plans.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Richmond City Council Informal Meeting - June 2, 2025 (May 27th Rescheduled Meeting) - Jun 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sheila White, Richmond’s senior director of finance, told council that a runbook discrepancy in the 2025 second‑half real‑estate billing resulted in lender‑suppressed bills being mailed to property owners and outlined steps to rerun and remediate accounts.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6675476,"Richmond officials outline causes and fixes after water‑plant turbidity incident, institute weekly basin cleanings",2806,932000,3738000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626721-d429bebc02012a1c4abc63a58f1f18fe&start=932&end=3738","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626721-d429bebc02012a1c4abc63a58f1f18fe/thumbnail_932000.jpg","/articles/6675476/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-officials-outline-causes-and-fixes-after-waterplant-turbidity-incident-institute-weekly-basin-cleanings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675476-386db6833a1cb8fbf7ac218fa9b556d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770710452&Signature=Z5H0Kjk1U42FwARQATGtYtfpNnhecAIi2mfG8sErJp6k~W75yYnZnxdRlfUEIoII3lxzJKfSMKMIXzgUOWRg2bc~ZkHlqzQGEOYBPDf7rbr5mQwvAVYWgJaks-5~JePXJ2P6gPdK5EVh-svbOCH3hr84b8sn5kT9MAhRCih6CvNph2kgITXmzu2yfC1cyowP~dSXZAm3FkCKgiFsEuV-Aaj9R5UKuRcFicx5O9ILF~zdZoy-ZyIQUuxFWfksPI8WFFnTjRgdMO~Xd1l5ngY08QFARLo8b7xw2l5j6sKORx7ocuPFeHDpvLcXTPwxAQSG6pm7eOm6WEiq00nLTPe~yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richmond City Council heard an update from the Department of Public Utilities on a turbidity incident at the city water treatment plant that led to two boil‑water advisories and temporary reductions in production.

Department staff said the plant took filters offline after a large release of accumulated alum sludge clogged filters. \"We did have an incident in Monday where we had a turbidity issue at the water treatment plant, which resulted in us having to take the filters down at the water treatment plant,\" Mr. Morris said, describing the sequence that led to the advisories. The boil advisories covered two separate distribution zones and were lifted around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, officials said.

City and regional reviews identified two primary factors: poorer raw‑water quality in that segment of the James River and limited alkalinity in the raw water, and maintenance practices related to sedimentation plates where alum sludge accumulates. Morris said VDH (Virginia Department of Health) conducted a review of James River water quality and confirmed the lower alkalinity and related risks. He said the plate cleanings — previously performed as corrective maintenance or on demand — allowed sludge to build up and, when released, clogged filters.

To reduce the risk of recurrence, staff described three steps now in place or under way: instituting a routine preventative maintenance schedule to clean sedimentation basins weekly on a rotating schedule (four basins, one cleaned each week); ordering a task order for engineers to review maintenance items and incorporate manufacturer recommendations into the maintenance work order system; and studying alkalinity augmentation in the treatment process to reduce sediment instability. \"That frequency has been set up to do weekly cleanings, rotating between each of the basins,\" Morris said of the new schedule.

Council members pressed for detail and ongoing metrics. Council Member Robertson asked how the multi‑phase master plan aligns with budget and staffing needs; Morris pointed to a 1–10 year plan included in the packet and promised a memo and follow‑up sessions with more detailed timelines, staffing requirements and capital needs. \"We're going through the process now of going through and updating master plans on a very prescriptive time frame,\" Morris said when asked about plan updates.

Technical and operational follow‑ups reported during the discussion included: inspecting all 22 filters (staff said 19 were back in service at the time of the briefing and parts were on order for the remaining units); reviewing backwash cycle procedures to improve emergency recovery time; and re‑evaluating the plant's oxidation agent system (potassium permanganate), which Morris said was taken offline in December 2024 and will require piping flushing and pump verifications before being returned to service.

Council members also asked about an April chemical event related to fluoride. Morris said that event involved the fluoride tank only and cited the VDH notice of alleged violation and an approximate volume of 5,900 gallons involved in that incident.

On distribution‑system repairs, Morris provided an update on Canal Street work: crews installed multiple line stops, discovered a failed valve that required an additional line stop, and anticipated completing repairs that evening during low demand. He said the city coordinated with regional partners to keep tanks topped off and to avoid customer impacts.

Morris described improvements in communication and oversight during the event, including more proactive outreach to regional partners and regulators and an intention to provide quarterly performance reporting and an annual DPU report. He acknowledged challenges ahead. \"This is going to be a bumpy road, but I'm here for the long haul,\" he said. Morris offered to return for more detailed, focused sessions and recommended the council narrow topics for follow‑up so staff can provide detailed briefings on specific items.

The council asked for a table of issues showing question raised, current status and timelines; Morris said he had a draft and would expand it and provide a memo and additional presentations, including the forthcoming Hagerty report referenced in the packet.

Council members and staff emphasized regional coordination with Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover utilities and noted limits on the city’s ability to immediately curtail flows to partners because of system hydraulics and the risk of water hammer and infrastructure damage. Morris said some entry points could be fitted with flow‑control devices to make such transitions safer in the future.

The discussion concluded with council requests for more granular performance measures, budget and staffing estimates tied to the multi‑year plan and frequent updates to the council as remediation and capital projects proceed.

","City officials said a turbidity event at Richmond's water treatment plant forced two boil‑water advisories, prompted new weekly basin cleanings, a task order to engineers and consideration of alkalinity augmentation to reduce future risk.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6675467,"Council votes to enter closed session to discuss City Center property disposition and related contracts",0,4432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626721-d429bebc02012a1c4abc63a58f1f18fe&start=4432&end=4432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626721-d429bebc02012a1c4abc63a58f1f18fe/thumbnail_4432000.jpg","/articles/6675467/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-votes-to-enter-closed-session-to-discuss-City-Center-property-disposition-and-related-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675467-cdca330e4dfb501cbfa619e8c528aff9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770710452&Signature=Kqcbu8QzlFQgg-r2-jv3SkEjI53IQUtlLnrype~H6zOxdlP7M3183-0Pc7nfjIhYN~MuyAnEOM1lzvljPklCbJHDN1G2D5z6Zw263tvrffx6H8NyjKbvcZOtIXyOriY3heWdND1RI6fg~8HSFk3GfBhDYz95JTyUJm~4X903LeMYZRD1EtrRgonuOWZcsj~KRCv9-9XZu0~mgOTYF8Ovgjqy0vgZiHy6dFW0YJiXzpbHN3vEBwlYDyS~zG79p9hxWo6AKQ256ImJLzcLV66vDXbUXOUpHCjUjHxqYGZP0MsDsDKoJBno8BFpgwpQslr0fc0qhs38j5415uZL41JJDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richmond City Council voted to enter a closed meeting to discuss the disposition of publicly held real property and the award of contracts connected to the City Center Development Project.

A motion was made to convene the closed meeting \"pursuant to Subdivision A3 and A29 of section 2.2‑3711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss the disposition of publicly held real property for the purpose of the City Center Development Project, and the award of a contract or contracts involving the expenditure of public funds relating to such city center development project,\" and to permit private discussion because open session discussion would adversely affect the city’s bargaining or negotiating position, the motion stated.

The motion was seconded by Council Member Bridal. The council then recorded the roll call votes: Mr. Bratton (aye), Ms. Gibson (yes), Ms. Jones (aye), Ms. Robertson (aye), Ms. Lynch (aye), Ms. Abelbacher (aye), Vice President Jerrodin (aye), and President Newville (aye). The presiding officer announced the motion had been approved and identified the Second Floor Lodge Conference Room as the closed‑session location.

The motion cited the specific legal authority under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, subdivisions A3 (disposition of publicly held real property) and A29 (award of a contract or contracts involving expenditure of public funds and related bargaining strategy), and was recorded with the roll call tally shown in the minutes.

","By recorded vote, Richmond City Council approved a motion to meet in closed session under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss disposition of publicly held real property and the award of contracts related to the City Center Development Project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance director details errors in real‑estate billing run and steps to remediate; personal‑property process improvements noted

Richmond officials outline causes and fixes after water‑plant turbidity incident, institute weekly basin cleanings

Council votes to enter closed session to discuss City Center property disposition and related contracts