Mayoral candidates gave more insight into how their vision would shape the state of city government during a forum at the Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education on Tuesday evening.

Moderated by Grady Hart of the Rosedale Civic Association, the forum saw Harrison Roday, Maurice Neblett, Michelle Mosby, Danny Avula and Andreas Addison provide their outlook on topics of particular importance to the city’s 3rd District.

Local residents were present to hear from candidates, with multiple 3rd District civic associations collaborating to host the event.

Alongside answering questions on property taxes, transportation and supporting the district’s small businesses, candidates also provided insight into how they would handle replacing or retaining some of the officials of Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration.

Candidates had previously voiced their intention to replace the city’s current Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders, and were asked to further explain their strategy for finding and hiring his replacement.

Avula cited his work in finding new leadership for the Richmond and Henrico health districts as evidence of his hiring strategies, with an eye toward finding a great team-builder and a team reflective of Richmond.

“Richmond’s a great city — there’s no reason that we should not be able to attract top talent from all over the country,” Avula said. “I’m looking for somebody who is a great team builder, a great culture builder who shares my priority of customer-focused service delivery.”

Quality of character and experience were major qualities Neblett would look for in who he would hire as CAO if elected, as well as an openness to the Richmond residents.

“You want to have someone that engages with the community, and understands and knows what their citizens want, they listen,” Neblett said. “What I look at is hiring someone who has the integrity and character.”

Mosby focused on the value of connections in a new CAO, from experience with local government, to collaboration with city, local and regional partners. She also would conduct interviews for new hires with City Council members.

“There’s a lot of times friction between the mayor and who he hired and the City Council,” Mosby said. “Bringing council in so they’re a part of the hiring process will help to bridge that gap.”

Roday, for his part, voiced a preference for a humble, communicative CAO who wasn’t a “political appointee” and could serve well across multiple administrations, but cautioned against thinking that one hire would fix the many problems at City Hall.

“It’s gonna be a team effort. It’s gonna require a lot,” Roday said. “It’s gonna require working with the folks who do the job everyday.”

Addison also emphasized a team-focused approach when hiring new staff, and said he’d look for someone with experience with union contracts.

Candidate responses were also varied when asked whether they would retain Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras during their time in office and if they would work with him to improve the school system.

Addison, Mosby and Roday made clear that the choice of superintendent would be for the School Board to decide, with some also highlighting their recent accomplishments. Mosby cited her prior work with, and endorsements from, the School Board. Roday touted his Richmond Education Association endorsement and promised to be a strong advocate for students and staff.

A range of proposals also were shared, such as Avula’s state-level advocacy, Neblett’s funding of support staff and lessening the load on teachers, and Addison’s proposal for a deputy mayor for school performance and other ideas.

“Every school should be a convening space for our community, neighbors and partners,” Addison said. “I will commit to finding where we can find those opportunities in our budgets moving forward together.”

The forum wasn’t without issues or interruptions. An audience member disrupted the forum during one of Mosby’s responses. Roday would also be cut off during a response for referencing Avula directly, pointing out his earlier work with Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s administration.

Another forum focused on School Board candidates will be held at Linwood Holton Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 17.