In March, a Richmond spokesperson told VPM News the city’s finance department does not proactively notify residents or business owners of tax credits on their accounts.
The department also cannot automatically tally the number of accounts with credits because of the antiquated software it uses.
During a Thursday press conference, Mayor Levar Stoney was asked about an internal investigation into that issue. He did not directly address the inquiry's results.
Later in the exchange with Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Samuel B. Parker, the mayor discussed the city's inspector general, James Osuna, who leads investigations of potential wrongdoing in local government.
"I got a lot of respect for the inspector general, but I also know that City Council doesn't want me telling their employees what to do," Stoney said.
The mayor continued: "I wouldn't want the City Council telling my employees what to do. And so, in this form of government, the inspector general works for the City Council. And either you can have a conversation directly with him or you can have a conversation with those who lead the City Council."
The exchange follows finance director Sheila White addressing a council committee on Tuesday. White blamed staff turnover for problems the department has faced this year, including issues around meals tax collection and billing.
Since June, several employees of the department have been fired for a range of issues.
