The real estate tax rate would be reduced by 14 cents in the fiscal 2010 budget proposed by Hopewell City Manager Edwin C. Daley. The plan is based on a real estate tax rate of 95 cents per $100 of assessed value, down from the current rate of $1.09. The rate change would balance out a 15 percent increase on property assessments this year, Daley said.

Sewer customers in the Hopewell area could soon see a bill increase of nearly 70 percent if the Hopewell City Council approves a proposed rate increase today. An average user’s bill would increase by $7.52 per month. The average sewer customer uses 5,000 gallons of water per month and has a monthly bill of $10.88; under the proposal, that bill would go up to $18.40.

Councilman Curtis W. Harris has dropped an effort to oust the mayor and three other council members. In October, Harris launched a petition drive requesting that Mayor Brenda S. Pelham and her three council allies, N. Gregory Cuffey, Christina J. Luman-Bailey and Gerald S. Stokes, be removed from their positions. On Tuesday night, Harris said the council members have shown willingness to be more inclusive and work better together.

Hopewell residents and former city elected officials say they hope the divided City Council will let go of personal attacks and focus on the city’s business in the new year. The city faces tight budgets, as do most area localities. The coming year, however, also provides an opportunity for growth with the projected influx of families at Fort Lee.

The Hopewell City Council this week will send a request to the General Assembly to amend the city’s charter to provide for a seven-member School Board.