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Auditor of Public Accounts wins commission authority to lease downtown Richmond space; work plan and 3% salary scale increase approved
Summary
The Auditor of Public Accounts (APA) presented its 2026 work plan, requested authority to enter a private lease after the James Monroe Building decommissioning, and proposed a 3% salary‑scale increase; the commission unanimously authorized the lease and approved the work plan and salary scales by voice vote.
Stacy Henshaw, Auditor of Public Accounts, sought the commission's authorization for her office to enter a private lease for replacement space in downtown Richmond because the James Monroe Building is being decommissioned. Henshaw said APA has occupied the Monroe Building for decades and that the office's space has not been renovated in about 40 years.
"Our space has not been renovated in 40 years," Henshaw said, and she described ongoing coordination with the Department of General Services and the money committee staff on relocation planning and budget reporting. Henshaw said DGS anticipates transition space will be available and that leases should include an exit option so the APA can return to state space when it becomes available (DGS recommended an exit after about six years).
The commission discussed the proposal and a motion to authorize the auditor to enter into a lease for downtown Richmond office space was offered, seconded and approved by voice vote. The clerk recorded the vote as unanimous.
Henshaw also briefed the commission on the APA's 2026 work plan (largely mandated financial and single‑audit work across executive branch agencies and higher education) and proposed a 3% increase to the APA salary scales consistent with Chapter 2 of the 2024 Acts of Assembly. Eric Sandridge, deputy auditor for technology and innovation, described higher education audit responsibilities and said recruiting and retaining accounting staff is challenging; APA plans to recruit new college graduates and use a performance‑based compensation program.
Commissioners moved and seconded motions to approve the APA work plan and adopt the 3% salary‑scale increase; both motions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Next steps: The auditor will proceed with the leasing authorization and report relocation cost and timing information as part of the control process; APA staff will implement the adopted salary scales and continue recruiting.
