Richmond Common Council is taking a more hands?on approach to city spending this year, adding new layers of oversight for department expenditures. The shift became clear during the February 2nd meeting, when council reduced a $329,000 appropriation request by more than $85,000 before approving it.

Finance Committee Chair Jerry Purcell says the goal is to ensure money is spent exactly where departments say it will be, rather than allowing broad, blanket appropriations. Under the new policy, any request over $5,000 must come back to council for approval.

Council President Justin Burkhardt says the change promotes trust, transparency, and accountability, especially after disagreements last year over more than $105,000 in legal?related spending the council opposed but couldn’t stop because funds had already been appropriated.

City Controller Tracy McGinnis says the process is more time?consuming but working as intended.

Council also approved participation in a new urban forestry cohort through Indiana University, which will help develop a citywide tree?management plan.