The temporary freeze will go into effect Friday, and will remain in place indefinitely until the city can work out its ongoing tax collection issues with dozens of restaurant owners.
Among the ordinances unanimously passed by Richmond City Council on Monday was one that would change how the Finance Department collects and applies meals tax payments.
Stoney has spent much of his tenure chasing brass rings such as the Navy Hill redevelopment project and a casino in South Richmond, apparently forgetting his cornerstone plan to root out inefficiency and dysfunction in city government. That neglect, for these restaurateurs, is hard to swallow.