Charlottesville City Council

FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET

Charlottesville City Council

Charlottesville voters, at large, elect a five-member Council to serve as the City’s legislative and governing body. The members serve four-year terms, and they elect one Councilor to serve as Mayor and one as Vice Mayor for two years. Municipal elections are held in November in odd-numbered years. The terms of Council members are staggered so that three are elected in one year and two are elected two years later. The Mayor presides over meetings, calls special meetings, makes some appointments to advisory boards, and serves as the ceremonial head of government. The Vice Mayor substitutes whenever the Mayor is unavailable. City Council appoints the City Manager, City Assessor, the Council Chief of Staff/Clerk of Council, and members of major policing making Boards and Commissions.

Council makes policy in the areas of city planning and finances, human services, public safety and justice, public utilities, and transportation. It has specific powers to pass ordinances, levy taxes, collect revenues, adopt a budget, make appropriations, issue bonds, and provides payment of public debts.