The community development corporation led by a finalist for Richmond’s top administrative post is the subject of an audit that is expected to be finished this summer. The city of Austin, Texas, is formally reviewing the work of the nonprofit Austin Revitalization Authority, which was set up in 1995 to help revive a blighted area of East Austin.

Richmond could save $411,500 per year if it consolidates its grass-cutting and other grounds maintenance, according to the city auditor. City Auditor Umesh Dalal released this week a report recommending that seasonal grounds work of the Richmond Public Schools and the city’s department of public utilities be consolidated under its department of public works. That department was found to have the largest and most efficient grounds-maintenance operation.

Concern about Richmond’s continued lack of a plan to replace The Diamond influenced a portion of Richmond Baseball Club LC’s investors to withdraw financial support to bring back minor league baseball, sources said.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones has declared himself intrigued by the idea of a Shockoe Bottom with high-speed rail, a bus-transfer center, black heritage sites and a ballpark surrounded by restaurants, residences and other development. But first, he wants to see if it all can fit on several blocks east of Interstate 95. At Jones’ urging, representatives of the proposed Shockoe Center ballpark development and the proposed bus-transfer center at Main Street Station said they’re working to resolve conflicts between their plans.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration is looking to reassign nine employees to avoid layoffs as part of next year’s budget. As the City Council was adopting a budget for fiscal 2009-10 last week, officials were checking the number of filled positions to be cut and reiterating their commitment to avoid or at least minimize layoffs.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones took control of City Hall in January, promising an era of openness in the administration’s dealings with the City Council and reporters. “I’m going to take the muzzle off,“ he said, referring to employees who feared a backlash from Mayor L. Douglas Wilder if they spoke to council members or the news media.

Consultants hired by the city of Richmond say it’s highly unlikely that a ballpark development in Shockoe Bottom can be built without the city, in effect, co-signing for the loan.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones today will release the executive summary of a report on the viability of a proposed ballpark development for Shockoe Bottom. The Jones administration is hinting that the latest review by Davenport & Co. and other private advisers reflects favorably on the $318 million Shockoe Center proposal by Highwoods Properties.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones touted the city’s financial stability and the joys of newfound regional cooperation in what was billed as his first State of the City speech yesterday. During his address to the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Jones kept the talk to themes he has honed in dozens of appearances since taking office in January.

Calling himself Richmond’s biggest cheerleader, Mayor Dwight C. Jones treated the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce to his first “state of the city” speech this morning. Jones kept the talk to themes he has honed in dozens of appearances since taking office in January. A real state of the city assessment, he said, would be difficult at this point.

The Double-A Connecticut Defenders will be allowed to relocate to Richmond even without a long-term plan for where they’ll play, the president of the Eastern League said. Minor League Baseball officials previously expressed reluctance to approving a move without firm plans for a new ballpark.

There are a number of good reasons to let Richmond police officers drive their squad cars home. The policy heightens the visibility of the department, for one thing. For another, it makes life easier for officers who might have to get up in the middle of the night and rush to a crime scene. Third, it might help ease the financial strain on the men and women in blue, who get by on exceedingly modest pay.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones said yesterday that he’s committed to tightening a policy that allows police officers to drive their vehicles home even if they live well outside the city limits. City Council members blasted the policy as excessive after learning this week that take-home vehicles have been authorized for officers who live as far out as Fredericksburg, Jetersville and Bumpass.

Richmond residents and groups packed the City Council chamber last night to plead for funding from the city and relief from a proposed fee on nonprofits. With Mayor Dwight C. Jones proposing a fiscal 2009-10 budget that is nearly $26 million less than this year’s budget, more than 40 speakers appealed to the council. The requests came on behalf of the Richmond school system, police officers and firefighters, as well as the Metropolitan Business League and tiny nonprofits.

Richmond isn’t likely to see a repeat of last year’s budget fight between the mayor and the City Council. However, local nonprofits could be preparing for one of their own. After scuffling with then-Mayor L. Douglas Wilder last year, City Council members are working closely with Mayor Dwight C. Jones on changes to his $629.6 million plan for fiscal 2009-10.