City Government

City of Richmond Finance Director Jim Goins Retires

Published

9 years ago

July 15, 2015

Special to the Post

In his 10 years with the city, he led in the restoration and improvement of all of the city’s credit ratings to “A+” category or better; re-opening parks, community centers and libraries; the creation and adoption of the city’s Five Year Strategic Business Plan; timely financial reporting and balanced budgets.

In 2005, Goins came to Richmond as Finance Director and City Treasurer. When he first came to the city, he dealt with a recent staff reduction of over 300 employees, a deficit of $35 million. The city had no credit rating.

Goins has overseen the issuance of $882 million in new or refinanced debt, representing over $100 million in savings to the city and funding projects such as the Port of Richmond Honda Project, which guarantees $90 million in revenue over 15 years, the financing of the renovated Civic Center, and the upcoming Social Impact Bonds, which will provide funding for acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant, dilapidated properties that will then be sold to first-time homebuyers.

In 2008, he received the Award of Excellence in Public Finance from the California Public Securities Association for his exceptional work, creativity, service and leadership in public finance.

Under Goins’ leadership, the city has annually received awards from the Government Finance Officer’s Association (GFOA) and the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting.

Goins spent the first 19 years of his career in his home territory of Salt Lake County, Utah, starting out as the Intergovernmental Relations Director and eventually being promoted to the position of Chief of Staff to the Board of County Commissioners.

Part of his legacy in Salt Lake County includes the move of the New Orleans Jazz basketball team to Salt Lake and the financing and construction of the Salt Palace Convention Center.

In 1980, Goins moved the West Coat, settling in Compton, initially as special assistant to the City Manager but soon moving up to the position of City Manager.

As a result of his management efforts there, Compton experienced an increase in sales tax revenue of 10 percent and improved service delivery while generating a 10 percent overall budget savings.

He was also instrumental in establishing relationships between block clubs and other community groups, which resulted in volunteer cleanup of businesses and neighborhoods and ultimately resulted in a 46 percent reduction in homicides and a total 8 percent reduction in crime.

Goins decided in 1990 to take his skills to the private sector, starting a career as a licensed Municipal Financial Advisor and Underwriter, specializing in Portfolio Management, Investments, as well as Community Development and Housing.

He honed his skills in Public Finance over the next several years, providing financing services to cities, counties, developers and non-profit agencies across the country.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

7 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

7 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.