Richmond’s finance department has introduced non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for its employees, a move Mayor Levar Stoney says aims to enhance accountability and safeguard sensitive information.
This comes as the city faces mounting public complaints about billing errors, late fees, and aggressive collection practices.
Finance staff, responsible for handling city taxes, are now bound by an NDA prohibiting them from sharing any confidential information outside their official duties.
This includes discussions with city officials, staff, or taxpayers.
The agreement underscores that any data obtained during employment must remain secret, a policy aimed at protecting Richmond’s operations.
Confidentiality agreements are common practice, with Henrico County Finance and Chesterfield Treasurer’s Office employees signing similar documents acknowledging Virginia’s taxpayer confidentiality laws.
Richmond’s version goes further, stating that confidential information also includes verbal and written conversations with city officials, employees, staff, and some taxpayers.
CBS 6 recently reported on secretly recorded audio from an internal meeting where Finance Director Sheila White addressed staff terminations.
Former employees have also voiced concerns about department operations.
These revelations led to questions about whether the NDA push was a direct response to the leaks.
When asked if the news prompted the move, Mayor Stoney remained vague. “I can’t tell you when or where that was developed,” he said.
“But like I said, if I’m an employee and I signed that agreement, I would live up to the words that were in that agreement.”
Stoney defended the agreements, emphasizing the need to “protect the taxpayers” and maintain data security.
He reassured that most finance employees already act responsibly, but the NDA is a necessary layer to ensure everyone is held accountable.
The agreement carries serious consequences—employees who violate it risk termination.
As Richmond’s finance department navigates these challenges, the introduction of NDAs signals a broader effort to protect sensitive information and ensure the city’s business practices remain secure while addressing taxpayer concerns.
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