PETERSBURG, Va. – At a meeting Tuesday night, Petersburg City Council agreed voters should be the ones who decide how the city’s next mayor is chosen.

Council voted to have a referendum, for the citizens to decide whether or they want to pick the next mayor.

Currently, City Council chooses the mayor.

Given the financial operating crisis that Petersburg currently faces, many citizens have argued the process should change.

The current mayor is Mr. Howard Myers, whose term ends next year.

Similarly, in Richmond, the nine council members used to select the mayor.

That policy changed in November 2003, when voters approved a mayor-at-large referendum. Douglas Wilder became the first elected mayor to lead Richmond.