Bill Text: VA SB356 | 2018 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Richmond, City of; amending charter, creates office of the inspector general.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-30 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0650) [SB356 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SB356-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §4.16, as amended, and §4.18 of Chapter 116 of the Acts of Assembly of 1948 are amended and reenacted and that Chapter 116 of the Acts of Assembly of 1948 is amended by adding a section numbered 4.19 as follows:
§4.16. Powers of investigation.
(a) The council, or any committee of members of the council when authorized by the council, shall have power to make such investigations relating to the municipal affairs of the city as it may deem necessary, and shall have power to investigate any or all departments, boards, commissions, offices and agencies of the city government and any officer or employee of the city, concerning the performance of their duties and functions and use of property of the city.
(b) The mayor, the chief administrative officer, the heads of
all departments, all boards and commissions whose members are appointed by the
council, and the city auditor, and the inspector general
shall have power to make such investigations in connection with the performance
of their duties and functions as they may deem necessary, and shall have power
to investigate any officer or employee appointed by them or pursuant to their
authority concerning the performance of duty and use of property of the city.
(c) The council, or any committee
of members of the council when authorized by the council, the mayor, the chief administrative
officer, the heads of departments, and
boards and commissions whose members are appointed by the council and,
the city auditor, and the inspector
general, in an investigation held by any of them, may order
the attendance of any person as a witness and the production by any person of
all relevant books and papers. Any person, having been ordered to attend, or to
produce such books and papers, who refuses or fails to obey such order, or who
having attended, refuses or fails to answer any question relevant or pertinent
to the matter under investigation shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and
upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment
in jail not exceeding 30 days, either or both. Every such person shall have the
right of appeal to the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, Division I. The
investigating authority shall cause every person who violates the provisions of
this section to be summoned before the general district court criminal division
for trial. Witnesses shall be sworn by the person presiding at such
investigation, and they shall be liable to prosecution or suit for damages for
perjury for any false testimony given at such investigation.
§4.18. City auditor.
There shall be a city auditor who shall be appointed by the
council for an indefinite term. He/she The city auditor shall have
been certified as a certified public accountant by the Virginia State Board of
Accountancy or by the examining board of any other state which extends to and
is extended reciprocity by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and shall be qualified
by training and experience for the duties of
his/her office the
city auditor. The city auditor shall have the power to appoint
such accountants and other assistants for the performance of the duties of the
city auditor's office as the council may provide for. It shall be the duty of
the city auditor to examine and audit all accounts, books, records, and
financial transactions of the city or any
department, board, commission, office, or agency thereof, including all trust
funds, special funds, and other funds. In performing his/her the
city auditor's duties,
he/she the city auditor
shall have access at any and all times to all books, records, and accounts of each
department and agency subject to examination and audit by
him/her the city auditor.
§4.19. Inspector general.
There shall be an inspector general who shall be appointed by the council for an indefinite term and who shall be qualified by training and experience for the duties of the office. The inspector general shall have the power to appoint such assistants for the performance of the duties of the inspector general's office as the council may provide for. It shall be the duty of the inspector general to conduct such investigations as may be authorized by §15.2-2511.2 of the Code of Virginia.