Hopewell charter change to clarify treasurer and finance duties fails to report after members raise concern

A House subcommittee heard testimony on HB 2283, a proposed charter amendment for the City of Hopewell that would clarify the responsibilities of the city finance director and the elected treasurer and encourage accreditation practices for the treasurer’s office.

Delegate Talcott Coyner, the bill’s patron, told the subcommittee the amendment is “a really important amendment for our city.” Coyner said Hopewell has repeatedly struggled to obtain clean audits, has been on the Auditor of Public Accounts list of localities unable to produce clean audits, and has spent more than $3,000,000 engaging outside assistance to correct financial controls. “This is what needs to happen,” Coyner said, describing reconciliation and oversight failures, security and fraud risks and fund-management breakdowns the city has attempted to remedy.

City manager Dr. Manker (identified in testimony as Dr. Manker Hopewell) testified in support: “I am the city manager for the City of Hopewell, and we're seeking a charter change. The city of Hopewell supports HB 2283 as a responsible bill to clarify the responsibilities of the director of finance and the treasurer.” Finance director Stacy Jordan also spoke in support and was described by the sponsor as “highly competent.”

Alan Albert, appearing for the Treasurer’s Association of Virginia, told members the association had worked with the bill’s sponsors and said the amendments offered during the hearing would “eliminate any adverse impact to the office of the treasurer.” Katie Boyle, representing VACo and registering VML support, described the measure as a “prudent measure to provide some additional protections at minimal cost.”

Delegate Martinez opposed the concept in principle: “I find it hard for me to support a bill or a charter change that takes away responsibilities from an elected office,” he said, noting the difference between elected and appointed offices.

After debate and posted line amendments, a motion to report the bill was called. The chair announced on the record, “the bill does not report on a vote of 3 to 5,” in the transcript excerpt. The record therefore shows the motion failed in the subcommittee at that moment.

Why it matters: Sponsor testimony framed the change as a remedial step to restore audit compliance and borrowing capacity so the city can finance capital needs; opponents warned the change risked removing duties from an elected, accountable officer without clear statutory authority to do so.

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Presenters emphasized the city’s long-standing audit problems, a decade-long struggle to produce clean audits, and the significant expense paid to outside firms to correct problems. Supporters said the charter language would clarify roles and encourage accreditation to strengthen financial practices. - Direction: Line amendments were posted on LAS during the hearing and were discussed on the record. The Treasurer’s Association stated the amendments would avoid adverse impacts on the elected treasurer’s statutory duties. - Decision: Motion to report failed on a recorded 3-5 vote in the provided transcript excerpt; the bill did not advance out of the subcommittee during this hearing.

What was not said

The transcript excerpt does not show the specific amendment text adopted or defeated, nor does it include a complete roll call with member names tied to each yes/no vote in the published excerpt. The details of any future revised filing or sponsor response were not recorded in the provided excerpt.