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Residents press Charles City supervisors for financial transparency, FOIA fixes and clearer early‑voting notices
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the board to improve financial transparency, establish a citizen financial advisory committee, tighten FOIA practices, and more clearly post early‑voting location changes after reports that online notices were difficult to find.
During the public comment period at the Charles City County Board of Supervisors meeting, several residents urged clearer financial reporting, stronger oversight and better public communications.
Doreen Billingsley, speaking for a group, thanked staff for an improved financial report layout but said the county faces "about a $14,000,000 problem," and called for quarterly updates on any new grant expenditures, a series of public workshops on finances, a citizen financial advisory committee and an immediate hiring and salary freeze until stability is restored.
"It's a $14,000,000 problem and we could go on," Billingsley said, and urged the board to "be open about the extent of the problem and working jointly with citizens on a recovery plan."
Brandy Moreno, also speaking for a group, raised conflicts‑of‑interest concerns and urged that officials disclose potential conflicts or recuse themselves from votes. She pressed for a comprehensive plan process that reflects community input and criticized staff remarks at a Citizens Advisory Committee meeting as dismissive of residents.
Tracy Floyd reported repeated FOIA responses claiming requested documents "do not exist in digital format" and said one map only appeared digitally after she threatened legal action. She urged the county to tighten FOIA procedures to avoid further litigation.
Pat Davis said the county website failed to make a changed early‑voting location prominent; county officials later confirmed the early voting site was posted as 13100 The Glebe Lane (the old Ruthville High School gym) once the board addressed the concern. Irene Churns cited Code of Virginia 24.2‑112 on deputy registrar requirements and suggested the county consider staffing changes in the registrar's office as part of budget review.
Martha Harris said the county's written response to earlier questions about a schools MOU lacked specifics and asked the board to review correspondence before it is sent to taxpayers.
The public comments preceded the board's consent agenda and the Davenport presentation on county finances. Several board members later thanked residents for their input and said staff would provide clearer monthly or quarterly financial reports and explore a public financial workshop and a citizens advisory committee.
