Constitution of Virginia
ARTICLE VII Local Government
Section 5. County, city, and town governing bodies.
The governing body of each county, city, or town shall be elected by the qualified voters of such county, city, or town in the manner provided by law.
If the members are elected by district, the district shall be composed of contiguous and compact territory and shall be so constituted as to give, as nearly as is practicable, representation in proportion to the population of the district. When members are so elected by district, the governing body of any county, city, or town may, in a manner provided by law, increase or diminish the number, and change the boundaries, of districts, and shall in 1971 and every ten years thereafter, and also whenever the boundaries of such districts are changed, reapportion the representation in the governing body among the districts in a manner provided by law. Whenever the governing body of any such unit shall fail to perform the duties so prescribed in the manner herein directed, a suit shall lie on behalf of any citizen thereof to compel performance by the governing body.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the governing body of each city or town shall be elected on the second Tuesday in June and take office on the first day of the following September. Unless otherwise provided by law, the governing body of each county shall be elected on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November and take office on the first day of the following January.
Richmond City Charter
Chapter 4. Council
Sec. 4.01. Composition; compensation; appointment of members to office of profit.
The Council shall consist of nine members elected as provided in Chapter 3. Compensation of members of Council shall be fixed in accordance with and within the limits prescribed in general laws of the Commonwealth for pay and expenses of councils and mayors of cities of the Commonwealth. The members of the Council, subject to the approval of the Council, may also be allowed their reasonable actual expenses incurred in representing the City. No member of the Council shall during the term of which he/she was elected and one year thereafter be appointed to any office of profit under the government of the City.
(Acts 1964, ch. 120, § 2; Acts 1968, ch. 644, § 1; Acts 1974, ch. 19, § 1; Acts 1975, ch. 112, § 1; Acts 1982, ch. 658, § 1; Acts 1992, ch. 850, § 1; Acts 1998, ch. 711)
Chapter 5. Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer
Sec. 5.03. Involvement of mayor and council in appointment and removals.
…. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the mayor, council and its members shall deal with the administrative services solely through the chief administrative officer, and neither the mayor, council nor any member thereof shall give orders either publicly or privately to any subordinate of the chief administrative officer. ….
Overview
The mission of Richmond City Council is to represent citizens in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and approving the city budget.
Agency Overview-The City Council governs through its legislative and financial authority over City functions, deriving its powers and authority from the City Charter. All powers vested in the City shall be exercised by City Council except as otherwise provided by the City’s Charter. The Council levies taxes, enacts ordinances and resolutions, and exercises budgetary and policy control over the City. Ordinances are adopted by the Council For general management of the City, and resolutions are adopted for policy direction. City Council receives information through citizen inquiries, suggestions and complaints regarding City services and uses such information to help direct policy formulation.
The Council functions with several standing committees including the Public Safety, Land Use &r Housing, Governmental Operations, Health, Human Services and Education, and Finance Standing Committees. Each standing committee consists of 3 members and an alternate member. Council also has an Organizational Development Committee consisting of all members of Council.
2011 Proposed Biennial Fiscal Plan
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