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Hopewell council OKs Verizon franchise, PPEA ordinance and adopts tax rates; several motions pass unanimously
Summary
The council approved a non‑exclusive cable franchise for Verizon, adopted a PPEA enabling ordinance, confirmed proposed tax rates for FY27 (with reassessment year noted), and approved routine appointments and consent agenda items. All recorded votes on these items were unanimous.
The Hopewell City Council approved a set of ordinances and routine votes on April 28, including a non‑exclusive cable franchise for Verizon Virginia LLC, an enabling ordinance for the state Public‑Private Educational Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA), and the proposed tax rates for FY27.
On the Verizon franchise (R1) staff told council the agreement requires Verizon to meet customer‑service standards, provides an option for a public access channel for the city and schools, and yields a 5% fee collected through the state mechanism. After a short public hearing and one resident comment noting existing Verizon service in his neighborhood, council approved the ordinance 6–0.
Council then adopted a PPEA ordinance (R2) required by state law to permit a locality to use PPEA procurement tools in the future; staff emphasized that the ordinance is a procedural enabling ordinance and does not itself award any contract. The vote carried (roll call recorded as affirmative).
On taxes (R3) Stacy Jordan told council that FY27 is a reassessment year but that staff proposed no change to the tax rate tonight; council adopted the proposed tax rates as presented (6–0). Council also approved the consent agenda and appointed Sharon Neil to the Breitpoint Community College Board and Railen Wolf to the library board following actions out of closed session; those motions passed 6–0.
Votes at a glance: Verizon franchise — approved 6–0; PPEA enabling ordinance — approved (roll call affirmatives); tax rates for FY27 — adopted 6–0; appointments to boards (Sharon Neil, Railen Wolf) — approved 6–0; consent agenda — approved 6–0.
What’s next: staff will post related documents to the city website (finance presentations and statements were noted as posted) and will return with O&M contract proposals and additional procurement or budget details as requested.
