Just when all seemed to be looking up, the Mayor and City Council continues to feud over the Mayor’s suspected (by City Council) withholding of school funds as reported by the Times-Dispatch:

Council members accused Black, the mayor’s top finance officer, of defying the law by continuing to withhold money appropriated for schools, despite budget provisions that make the action a misdemeanor offense…

…Further, the audit found that the school system does little to manage its cash flow. As a result, the school administration wastes the opportunity to earn interest on its money by waiting to pay bills until they are due, it said. In one case, the city earned about $3,000 in interest by waiting to pay a bill 11 days longer than the school system had planned.

I like this paragraph, especially since it was mentioned by our 1st District Councilman Bruce Tyler:

Initially, council members urged Black to sit down and talk to school finance officials to resolve the dispute. The Finance Committee promised to schedule a special meeting to settle the dispute. “I would like to see a meeting of the minds on this,” said Councilman Bruce W. Tyler, 1st District.

Only question I have is, after all of this idiotic immaturity, are there any “minds” left for an effective meeting?

In addition, WTVR has more info.

According to an article on Richmond.com, yesterday’s first public meeting between Mayor Wilder and City Counsel went “relatively smooth and kept short.”

Councilwoman Ellen Robertson (6th) was the only one to directly bring up the failed school system eviction, saying she had heard concerns about budget amendments and appropriating funds regarding the cost of moving school offices.

Wilder responded that he would “keep you posted,” adding that council needs a clearer understanding in the charter of how it works, in light of the change to a strong mayor form of government.

Gee, thanks for “keeping us posted.” I think the courts may decide that outcome.

Mayor Wilder and the Richmond City Council will meet today to discuss the recent battle over the school board and the mayor’s attempt to evict them from City Hall.

The public is encouraged to attend today’s meeting and time will be allotted for the council to respond to questions from citizens.

That meeting begins at 4 p.m. at City Hall in the council chamber on the second floor. [via]