Onward into 2018 – City Commission Sets Priorities

Focus Areas Developed to Tackle Key Issues

January 10, 2018

The Tallahassee City Commission held its annual goal-setting retreat today at the Tallahassee International Airport. Based on input from each member, the Commission established its community priorities for 2018, which reaffirm and build upon those set for 2016 and 2017.

After a day of thorough, in-depth discussions about public safety, economic development and a variety of other issues, Commissioners developed four focus areas, each with a subset of key issues, to guide City government and continue momentum to propel Tallahassee forward.

Public Safety
Strengthening public safety efforts continues to be a priority. Demonstrating progress over the past year, there has been a 13.77 percent reduction in overall crime in our community when compared to the same timeframe in 2016, based on crime reported to both the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office through November 2017. During the coming year, public safety efforts will continue, which includes the expansion of neighborhood-level initiatives, support of the TEMPO program and strengthening partnerships.

The development of a Public Safety Campus will be at the forefront of discussions over the coming year. The future facility, which will replace the current TPD headquarters, seeks to expand the concept of a traditional police station by also incorporating a variety of publicly available features to serve residents, such as basketball courts and meeting rooms. The City aims to identify and secure land, as well as begin the design process, for the facility in 2018.

Economic Development
Recent data show that Tallahassee has the fastest growing economy per capita in the state. Efforts to support and continue this positive trend will continue in 2018. Specifically, continued investment in infrastructure will support the 95 current development projects and lay the groundwork for future projects. The Commission requested more information in order to evaluate the economic development potential related to the airport and to consider the airport governance structure. Workforce training will also be key as the City works to ensure economic prosperity benefits are inclusive and representative.

Infrastructure Planning
Infrastructure investment will continue in 2018. During the budget process, the Commission approved $6.5 million for transportation infrastructure. There will be a continued focus on maintenance and repair of City facilities, such as roadways, sidewalks and utilities.

Quality of Life
Tallahassee is known for offering a high quality of life for residents. To meet the needs of a changing and growing community, a focus will be placed on key areas, such as affordable housing, senior services and pedestrian mobility and safety. As a Tree City USA, Tallahassee’s canopy is an iconic element of the community, and the urban forestry master plan currently under development will continue to safeguard this beloved feature, especially along community gateways. Community engagement and public information will continue to be vital to ensure our quality of life reflect residents’ needs.

Under the leadership of the City Commission, the health and growth of Tallahassee is shining bright.

For more information about the Tallahassee City Commission, including future meeting dates and agendas, please visit Talgov.com.