Government
City Council
City Council sets policy and serves as the link between the residents of Tacoma and their municipal government. City Council Members are comprised of a Mayor and eight Council Members (five Councilmanic districts and three at-large) elected to serve four-year terms.
Departments and Offices
City departments strive to provide high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective municipal services that enhance lives, improve Tacoma’s neighborhoods and business districts, and keep the City running day-to-day.
Committees, Boards and Commissions
The City has a number of boards, committees, commissions, and advisory groups that make recommendations to City Council and decision-makers on staff. Some are ongoing and established by law, others may be project specific or short-term.
Municipal Court
The Tacoma Municipal Court is an independent and impartial branch of City government. It provides open, accessible and effective forums for dispute resolution and resolves legal matters.
Vision and Mission
Our vision for Tacoma is for it to be a livable and progressive international city, regarded for the richness of its diverse population and natural setting.
Our mission is to provide high-quality, innovative and cost-effective municipal services that enhance the lives of our community members and the quality of Tacoma’s neighborhoods and business districts.
The Principles that Guide Us
- Integrity: We conduct our personal, work group, and organizational actions in an ethical and honest manner, and we serve as responsible stewards of the public resources entrusted to us.
- Service: We treat everyone with courtesy and empathy. We provide customer-focused municipal services that produce high value and results.
- Excellence: We achieve the highest performance possible. We use collaborative and inclusive approaches to organizational and community issues. We are accountable for individually and collectively meeting high standards.
- Equity: We understand and reflect the community we serve. We ensure every community member has services and opportunities that will enable people to satisfy their essential needs and advance their wellbeing.