Hopewell council approves sewer-rate increase, treasurer pay supplement and zoning changes; backs regional transportation authority

Hopewell — The Hopewell City Council on Jan. 6 took several actions affecting utilities, staff pay and land-use enforcement.

Council voted on first reading to amend Chapter 31 of the Hopewell code to implement a sewer user charge increase intended to fund capital improvements across the system. Deputy City Manager Stacy Jordan said the city has not increased sewer rates since 2017 and that the proposed change would raise the average bill for 2,200 units of usage from about $13.13 to $18.40 — an increase of roughly $5.46 a month — with the additional revenue earmarked for pump stations and other infrastructure needs. The first-reading motion passed on a roll-call vote with five council members recorded in favor.

The council also approved an ordinance that will allow the city to supplement the state-provided salary for the elected treasurer if that person later attains certain qualifications. City Attorney Mr. Bissett said the ordinance is intended as an incentive because state law does not permit the city to set mandatory qualifications for constitutional offices; the supplement would be paid after a treasurer achieves the credential. After public comment that ranged from support for encouraging qualifications to objections that supplements should be tied to election outcomes, the ordinance passed on a recorded vote.

On land use, the council approved an amendment to the zoning code to add civil penalties as an enforcement option in addition to criminal penalties, a change staff said will allow more flexible, efficient enforcement. Planning staff recommended and council adopted the amendment after a roll call recorded unanimous support.

Council also voted to back the creation of a South Central Transportation Authority, a regional proposal from the Crater Planning District Commission intended to pool authority and potentially unlock more transportation projects across 11 jurisdictions; a representative from the commission said work is ongoing to determine revenue allocation and timing.

Several conditional-use permit requests were approved, including a permit for Kids With Goals Unlimited LLC to operate a private school at 247 East Costa Street; planning staff said the use aligns with the comprehensive plan and that the planning commission recommended approval.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance amending Chapter 31 (sewer rates): first reading approved; roll-call votes recorded in favor included Councilor Harris, Councilor Atlas, Councilor Day, Councilor Foley and Vice Mayor Joyner. Next reading scheduled at the next council meeting. - Treasure salary supplement ordinance: approved (vote recorded in favor by multiple councilors; ordinance allows supplements once qualifying credentials are achieved). - Zoning enforcement amendment (add civil penalties): approved on roll-call (unanimous recorded vote). - Resolution supporting South Central Transportation Authority: approved (motion passed with recorded yes votes). - Conditional-use permits: multiple CUPs approved (including Kids With Goals Unlimited); planning staff and commission recommended approval on those items.

What’s next

The sewer ordinance was approved on first reading and will return for a subsequent reading and final vote. The council directed staff to bring further budget and implementation detail as requested during the public hearing. The treasurer-supplement ordinance is in effect as adopted; any payment requires the officeholder to meet the listed qualifications, after which the supplement would be paid.

Reporting: Deputy City Manager Stacy Jordan presented financial and utilities data; City Attorney Mr. Bissett provided legal context on appointments and ordinance mechanics. The council recorded votes on each item during roll call.