Structure of Our Local Government
The City of Hopewell operates under a Council-Manager form of government. This form of government is also known as the "Small Mayor form of government." Council-Manager government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed manager or administrator. All power and authority to set policy rests with an elected governing body, which includes a mayor or chairperson and members of the council, commission, or board. The governing body in turn hires a nonpartisan manager who has very broad authority to run the organization.
Subsequent to this form of government, the City of Hopewell is divided into seven wards, each having a representative on City Council. Each City Councilor serves a four-year term. Elections are held in November for each ward every four years. Councilors' terms run from January 1st of their election year to December 31st four years later. On the first Tuesday in January following an election, City Council holds a reorganization meeting where it votes and appoints a new Mayor and Vice Mayor. Each official serves a two-year term until the next Council election, when another reorganization meeting is held. The Council- Appointed Mayor and Vice Mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, and perform such other duties consistent with his office as may be imposed by the council. All members of City Council, to include the Mayor and Vice Mayor shall be entitled to a vote, but shall possess no veto power.
Relevant Excerpts from City Charter
Members of City Council are members of The Governing Body. All powers vested in the City shall be exercised by the Council except as otherwise provided therein.
-Hopewell City Charter Chapter IV- Council
The City shall have and may exercise all powers which are now or may hereafter be conferred upon or delegated to cities under the constitution and law of the commonwealth and all other powers pertinent to the conduct of the city government, the exercise of which is not expressly prohibited by the said constitution and laws and which in the opinion of the Council are necessary and desirable to promote the general welfare of the city and the safety, health, peace, good order, comfort, maintenance and morals of its inhabitants, as fully and completely as though such powers were specifically enumerated in this charter, and no enumeration of particular powers herein shall be held to be exclusive but shall be held to be in addition to this general grant of power.
-Hopewell City Charter Chapter II- Powers
Contact Your Councilor
If you would like to contact your City Councilor but do not know which ward you live in, email the City Clerk's Office or call 804-541-2408. Provide your street address and the City will respond with your ward number, and provide you with information on how to contact your City Councilor.