Hampton Roads Statistical Digest Government Regional cooperation takes root With nine cities and five counties, Hampton Roads has 14 different local governments overseeing various parts of the region. Because cities are independent from counties, residents have only one local governing and taxing authority. Each city has a full-time city manager and elected city councils. In all but Norfolk and Suffolk, mayors are selected from among city council members. In all other cities, residents elect their mayors.
Counties have full-time administrators and elected boards of supervisors.
Their chairmen are selected by the board members. Although each city council or county board focus on issues in their specific municipality, they cooperate on some regional issues. Their leaders meet regularly through the Mayors and Chairs Caucus sponsored by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. Each winter when the General Assembly convenes in Richmond, Hampton Roads has about 40 representatives there. Last year it lost two powerful voices.