by Tom Chillemi –
The Urbanna Town Council voted on Feb. 11 to petition the General Assembly to amend the town’s charter so that the mayor could vote on matters considered by the town council and make motions. An amendment would probably be delayed, since the current General Assembly adjourns on Feb. 27.
It was discovered recently that according to the town’s charter, the town council is Urbanna’s governing body and the mayor is not a member of town council, town attorney Andy Bury told council at the Jan. 28 meeting. This is due to the town’s election structure; and the town’s charter provides that the mayor is elected by town voters. Town voters choose six council members and vote separately for a mayor.
The state code provides an alternative method for choosing a mayor whereby the town council members vote to choose a mayor from the members of council. However, the town’s charter is not set up to allow this method of choosing a mayor.
Delay
It appears that any charter change will be delayed until next year. The General Assembly will adjourn on Feb. 27, 2021.
The mayor and councilors took office Jan. 1, 2021 for a two-year term…
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