City administration told Richmond City Council that many of the personnel reductions proposed by council members are based on outdated vacancy data and could disrupt essential services if enacted.

“The spreadsheet that’s on screen is not one that we received,” Interim CAO Sabrina Joy Hogg told council, saying third-quarter vacancy projections differ from numbers in the proposed budget. She urged the council to consider whether vacancies were truly available for reduction and warned that some positions were already filled or in recruitment.

Hogg described areas of concern the administration opposes cutting. She advised against eliminating positions in emergency communications, noting the department had only one vacancy because an academy class had just started. She said finance had been rebuilt over the previous years to cover commissioner of revenue and treasurer functions and that further cuts now could reverse gains made since 2021.

“If you cut operating for finance, we will have to close Southside and EDI,” Hogg said, describing operating reductions that would affect services at those locations. She also cautioned that staffing changes in police and fire involved minimum staffing standards the departments must meet.

Interim Deputy Chief of Staff Daniel Wagner and Slatz emphasized that some positions listed as vacant were in recruitment, had offers extended, or were being covered by temporary workers and overtime. Wagner noted council-submitted personnel proposals had been compiled using third-quarter vacancy data and that updated figures were being provided by the administration.

Council members pressed for details to verify which positions are truly expendable. “Just because they are vacant now doesn’t mean the department doesn’t need that position,” Hogg said, explaining roles sometimes are left vacant while workloads remain and temporary staff cover essential work.

Members and staff agreed to follow up with department directors and the budget office to reconcile vacancy and recruitment data before making final decisions. No formal action was taken on the proposed reductions during the session.