FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2022
MEDIA CONTACTS
Jeff Lueders, Media and Communications, jlueders@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
Department Budget Presentations Underway, Access Details for Virtual Town Halls Now Available
-- 2023-2024 Proposed Biennial Budget Reaffirms City’s Dedication to Anti-Racist Systems Transformation, Adds Community Safety and Health Resources, Expands Response to Homelessness and Affordable Housing --
TACOMA, Wash. -- The City Council was recently presented with the City of Tacoma’s 2023-2024 Proposed Biennial Budget. City Manager Elizabeth Pauli outlined a plan that reaffirms the City’s dedication to anti-racist systems transformation, adds community safety and health resources, and expands the City’s response to homelessness and housing affordability.
Department Presentations October 11 – November 1
Starting on October 11, budget presentations during the City Council’s Study Sessions began. These noon presentations offer a deeper dive into how the proposed budget influences each of the City Council’s priority areas.
October 11, 2022
Public Works, Environmental Services, Tacoma Public Utilities
October 18, 2022
Tacoma Fire Department, Neighborhood and Community Services
October 25, 2022
Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma Police Department, Planning and Development Services, Community and Economic Development
November 1, 2022
Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Media and Communications, Office of Equity and Human Rights, Office of Health and Safety
Council Member-Hosted Virtual Community Town Halls October 24 – November 3
Council Members will host three virtual Community Town Halls on the proposed budget. The details are as follows:
October 24, from 6 - 7 PM: District 5 Council Member Joe Bushnell, District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh, and At-Large Council Member Kristina Walker
October 27, from 9 - 10 AM: At-Large Council Member Olgy Diaz and Mayor Victoria Woodards
November 3, from 6 - 7 PM: District 3 Council Member Keith Blocker, At-Large Council Member Kiara Daniels, District 1 Council Member John Hines, Deputy Mayor and District 4 Council Member Catherine Ushka
You can access these events by clicking here, or you can follow them by dialing (253) 215-8782. The event ID is 883 6408 1062 and the event passcode is 427341.
City Staff-Hosted Virtual Community Town Hall October 27
On October 27, from 5:30 - 6:30 PM, City staff will hold a virtual community town hall which will include another overview of the Balancing Act tool. The tool is available through November 6 and allows community members to play with budget scenarios by making increases or decreases to service levels as they try to balance the City’s General Fund budget. This event also provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions about the proposed budget.
You can access this event by clicking here, or you can follow it by dialing (253) 215-8782. The event ID is 883 6408 1062 and the event passcode is 427341.
Public hearings on the proposed budget will be held during the City Council Meetings on November 1 and November 15. It will be considered for adoption during the City Council meetings on November 15 (first reading) and November 22 (final reading).
City Council Study Sessions are held on Tuesdays at noon and City Council meetings are held on Tuesdays at 5 PM. They can be viewed live in person at the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market Street, 1st Floor, Council Chambers) or on TV Tacoma or tvtacoma.com, on the City of Tacoma’s Facebook page and on Zoom.
On Rainier Connect, TV Tacoma is available within Tacoma city limits and in Pierce County:
- On channel 512 in high definition
- On channel 12 in standard definition
- On channel 21 in standard definition in University Place
On Comcast, TV Tacoma is available:
- On channel 321 in high definition within Tacoma city limits and in Pierce County
- On channel 12 in standard definition within Tacoma city limits
- On channel 21 in Pierce County
TV Tacoma is not available on Comcast in University Place.
Full agendas – as well as Zoom access details – for City Council Study Sessions and City Council Meetings are available at cityoftacoma.legistar.com.
Details on the City’s 2023-2024 Proposed Biennial Budget, as well as the latest updates on opportunities for community members to learn more and engage in the budget development process, are available at cityoftacoma.org/budgetdevelopment.
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