CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Chesapeake's city council has voted to relocate several financial responsibilities from the city treasurer's office.
After a unanimous vote on Tuesday night, Barbara Carraway will no longer oversee the city's cash and investments, bank accounts, emergency medical services billing and storm water utility billing.
The city manager made the recommendation, saying the level of service from Carraway's office has "steadily declined," citing evidence of struggles to maintain adequate staffing of the department. Between 2019 and 2023, they cite the department's staffing went from as many as 35 people to as little as 18 to 21.
Carraway responded during a public comment period Tuesday night that it has been a "very busy time" in the Treasurer's Office, with calls generated from state income tax refunds.
City officials told 13News Now the action applies "to the responsibilities of the city treasurer's office, not to a specific individual."
According to the ordinance change, there are more than $500,000 in unspent salary funds, and the vacant positions as well as savings from the department will be used to "stand up" new teams to deliver services.
“Council is committed for Chesapeake to be an exceptional place to live, work, farm and play," Councilmember Don Carey III told 13News Now. "The shortfalls of the treasurer's office goes counter to the commitment."
Officials also said the treasurer will continue responsibilities "specifically enumerated by the Code of Virginia," such as collecting personal property and real estate taxes. The city council's actions would remove "non-statutory responsibilities" to allow the treasurer's office to "focus on its statutory requirements and improve services to citizens."
Carraway has served as treasurer for more than three decades, most recently winning re-election in 2021 against former employee Corrie Cring.
City officials say the city has "been cautious not to infringe" upon the relationship between Carraway and the voters, as the position does not report to either city council or city manager.
"However, the current actions were found to be necessary due to the culmination of a number of concerning indicators including deteriorating levels of customer service and an inability to perform basic functions expected of any Department Head," city officials wrote.
Currently, Carraway receives an annual salary of $165,126, with a majority of that coming from the Commonwealth of Virginia Compensation Board.