Richmond City Charter Review Commission submits final recommendations

The Richmond City Charter Review Commission has presented its final report to the members of Richmond City Council and Mayor Stoney, outlining a series of recommended changes to the city charter. The Commission’s comprehensive review focused on enhancing the efficiency and functionality of the current form of government, aiming to bring it in line with prevailing state laws and practices.

Divided into four distinct categories, the recommendations aim to address various aspects of the city’s governance:

1. Refinement of Charter Language and Alignment with Mayor-Council Structure In Chapter Five of the report, the Commission proposes modifications to the city charter that would eliminate obsolete language, enhance clarity, and bring the charter more closely in line with the Mayor-Council form of government. These suggested changes are intended to be presented for consideration during the 2024 session of the Virginia General Assembly.

2. Strengthening the Mayor-Council Partnership Chapter Six highlights recommended adjustments to the Mayor-Council structure with the aim of improving its efficacy. The Commission advocates for a stronger collaboration between the Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, and City Council. While these adjustments should undergo thorough discussion and deliberation, the Commission suggests that they be introduced as a package during the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session. If adopted, these changes would take effect at the start of the term of office beginning January 1, 2025.

3. Exploring a Shift to a Council-Manager System Chapter Seven encourages City Council to explore the possibility of transitioning to a Council-Manager system, featuring an elected full-time Mayor presiding over City Council. The recommended model proposes a seven-member Council consisting of six districted representatives and an at-large Mayor elected through ranked choice voting. While the Commission acknowledges the complexity of legal and organizational challenges associated with such a shift, it recommends conducting an advisory referendum to involve the entire community in the decision-making process. The report emphasizes the need for meticulous consideration and engagement to ensure that residents are well-informed and have their voices heard.

4. Implementation of Staggered Terms for City Council Members In Chapter Eight, the Commission suggests that Richmond adopt staggered terms for City Council members, starting from 2028. The rationale behind this recommendation is briefly outlined, along with key questions that need to be addressed before implementing staggered terms.

The recommendations put forth by the Richmond City Charter Review Commission mark a significant step toward enhancing the city’s governance structure. You can read the full report here.