Richmond is an independent city, meaning it is not part of any county (it is bordered by Henrico and Chesterfield counties but operates completely separate from them). The city operates under a Mayor-Council system of government. The Mayor serves as the chief executive, while the Richmond City Council, composed of nine members elected from single-member districts, serves as the legislative body.
As the capital of Virginia, Richmond is home to the Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson, which houses the Virginia General Assembly and the offices of the Governor. The city also hosts numerous state agencies, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and a robust federal presence, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Public services, including police, fire, and the Department of Public Works, are administered by the municipal government.