Charter Review Committee

Use the links below to read the full language of the proposed Charter amendments on the November 5, 2024, General Election Ballot; ‘for’ and ‘against’ statements in the Voters’ Pamphlet; and other election information and results.

Election Results     Voters Pamphlet     Newspaper Insert

• Charter Amendment No. 1 – Passed
• Charter Amendment No. 2 – Passed
• Charter Amendment No. 3 – Passed
• Charter Amendment No. 4 – Passed
• Charter Amendment No. 5 – Failed
• Charter Amendment No. 6 – Failed

Overview

The Tacoma City Council appointed a 15-member Charter Review Committee in December 2023. The Committee met from January to early May 2024 and then forwarded recommended changes to the City Council. The Tacoma City Council considered these and other recommendations from May to August 2024. The City Council chose to place six proposed Charter amendments on the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot, four of which passed.

The timeline below is arranged with the most recent activities at the top, through the oldest activity.

Election

• November 5, 2024: General Election Day – see links above. For detailed information view the 2024 Election Guide from the Pierce County Auditor’s Office

• Proposed Charter Amendments Published in the Tacoma News Tribune
  The proposed 2024 City Charter amendments will be published in the Tacoma News Tribune once a week for four weeks, to comply with state law (RCW 35.22.170). The 6-page insert is available online (click here). You can also view the City Council resolutions in their entirety using the links on this page. If you have questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
• August 6, 2024: City’s deadline to submit resolution, cover sheet, explanatory statement, and “For” and “Against” Committee appointments to Pierce County Auditor.
• July 30, 2024: City Council meeting, the City Council adopted:

• • Substitute Resolution No. 41496 – appointing individuals to “For” and “Against” Committees.
  • Resolution No. 41497 – consolidating and clarifying recommendations for certain proposed City Charter and Municipal Code amendments not referred for placement on the ballot. Statements prepared by the “For” and “Against” Committees appear in the Voters’ Pamphlet and due to the Pierce County Auditor on or before Thursday, August 8, 2024, with rebuttal statements due on or before Monday, August 12, 2024.
• July 29, 2024: Government Performance & Finance Committee special meeting to review “For” and “Against” Committee letters of interest.
• Sunday, July 28: Deadline to submit letters of interest to serve on committees preparing “for” and “against” statements on proposed Charter amendments (see notice).
• Tuesday, July 23, 2024: City Council meeting – resolution transmitting ballot items to the Pierce County Auditor
  • Resolution No. 41491 – Transmitting 6 proposed amendments to a Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Charter Amendment Review

• Tuesday, July 16, 2024: City Council study session; and City Council Meeting (resolutions on amendments to be transmitted)
  • Proposed Charter Amendment Resolutions adopted July 16, 2024 (click to open)
• Tuesday, July 9, 2024: City Council study session, and motions during the 5:00 p.m. City Council meeting

View the meeting Voting Record for details on which proposed amendments were forwarded to the July 16 meeting. Below is a summary. At the July 9, 2024, meeting, the City Council took action to:

• • Advance 8 proposed amendments to the July 16 meeting agenda for consideration to be placed on the November 5, 2024, ballot:
    • 1 (Salary Commission),
    • 2C (Term Limits),
    • 7B (Duties & Authority of Council Members),
    • 14B (Planning Commission),
    • 21, 22, and C6 (equity of access),
    • C1B (Council Meetings),
    • C2B (TPU Board Member Qualifications),
    • C4B (Sale of Waterfront Property); and
  • refer 10 proposed amendments to a standing committee or alternate process for further study and evaluation:
    • 3 (Referendum) referred to Government Performance & Finance (GPF) Committee;
    • 5 (Charter Review) referred to an alternate process;
    • 6 (Neighborhood Council) referred to an alternate process;
    • 8 (Policing Accountability) referred to an alternate process;
    • 9B (Climate Commission) referred to Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability (IPS) Committee;
    • 11 (Landmarks Preservation Commission) referred to IPS;
    • 19 (Ranked-Choice Voting) referred to GPF;
    • 20 (Campaign Finance) referred to GPF;
    • C3B (TPU Board Member stipends) referred to GPF;
    • C5 (Initiative Fiscal Notes) referred to GPF;
    • Directing the City Manager to bring to a Committee the issue of consistency in our nondiscrimination code provisions with State law including consideration of adding “caste” as a protected class in the code; and
  • the remaining proposed amendments were not moved forward for consideration:
    • 4 (Initiative),
    • 10 (Humane Society),
    • 12B (Purposes of Inquiry),
    • 13B (City Attorney),
    • 15 (TPU – Internet as a Utility),
    • 16 (TPU – Board Membership),
    • 17 (TPU – Shared Services),
    • 18 (TPU – Purposes of Inquiry),
    • 23 (Official Newspaper),
    • 24C (Reorganization of Government) – this item was considered at the July 9, 2024, meeting, but was not advanced to the July 16 agenda for the ballot resolution (view the Voting Record, page 5).

Proposed Charter Amendments

• • Amendment No. 1: 21, 22, and C6 – Eligibility for Employment – Citizenship; Employment Anti‐Discrimination; and Use of Term Citizen – Resolution No. 41476
  • Amendment No. 2: C1B – Council Meetings – Resolution No. 41477
  • Amendment No. 3: C4B – Sale of Waterfront Property – Resolution No. 41479
  • Amendment No. 4: 7B – Duties & Authority of Council Members – Resolution No. 41474
  • Amendment No. 5: 14B – Planning Commission – Resolution No. 41475
  • Amendment No. 6: 2C – Term Limits – Resolution No. 41473

• Tuesday, July 2, 2024: 
  • City Council study session
  • Public Hearing during the 5:00 p.m. City Council meeting – A public hearing was held during the City Council meeting on July 2, 2024, on the proposed Charter amendments.
    • Public Hearing Packet – All Proposed Amendments
    • Public Hearing Presentation – All Proposed Amendments
    • Public Hearing Notice
• Tuesday, June 25, 2024: City Council study session
• Friday, June 21, 2024: City Council special meeting
• Tuesday, June 18, 2024: City Council study session
• Tuesday, June 11, 2024: City Council study session
• Friday, June 7, 2024: City Council special meeting
• Tuesday, June 4, 2024: Committee of the Whole special meeting
• Friday, May 31, 2024: City Council special meeting
• Tuesday, May 21, 2024: City Council study session (Public Utility Board joint study session)
• Friday, May 17, 2024: City Council special meeting
• Tuesday, May 7, 2024: City Council study session
• Monday, May 6, 2024: City Council special meeting
  • The City Council received the Final Report of the 2024 Charter Review Committee.
• April 30, 2024: City Council study session

Charter Review Committee work concludes

• January–April 2024: CRC meetings held (view agendas, minutes, and recordings). The CRC final report and recommendations were due to the City Council on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Formation of the Charter Review Committee

• November–December 2023: CRC member selection and appointment process (See Resolution No. 41324, City Council resolution appointing CRC members, effective Jan. 2024)
• Monday, November 6, 2023: CRC applications due
• Tuesday, October 17, 2023: City Council resolution creating the Charter Review Committee (CRC)

• 2024 Charter Review Committee Final Report
• 2024 Charter Review Committee Presentations (combined packet)
• 2024 CRC Charter 
• 2024 CRC Meeting Guidelines
• Public Comments Appendix 
• 2024 Charter Review Committee Members
• Draft Charter Review Timeline (City Council)
• Resolution No. 41324 – Appointing individuals to the 2024 Charter Review Committee (Dec. 19, 2023)
• Letter from the City Council to the Charter Review Committee (Dec. 19, 2023)
• December 12, 2023 – City Council Study Session: Charter Review Committee member review and topics discussion
• Resolution No. 41282 – Creating a Charter Review Committee (City Council adopted Oct. 17, 2023)
• October 10, 2023 – City Council Study Session: presentation on City Charter Process and Timeline (view the Presentation)

Expectations of Charter Review Committee Members (2024)

Volunteering for the Charter Review Committee allows individuals a chance to join a diverse group of 15 residents, appointed by the City Council, to participate in a traditionally once-a-decade process to study the existing City Charter.

The Committee is responsible for conducting a deliberate, thoughtful, and inclusive review of the City Charter and recommending amendments to the Charter for consideration by the City Council. As a member, you can get a firsthand look at the constitution that guides your City and take part in the process of updating the City’s charter.

Each Charter Review is unique: the appointed Committee members decide how many meetings to have, what topics to focus on, how to gather feedback, and whether they need subcommittees to complete the work. Based on past reviews, volunteering for the Charter Review Committee is no small act of service.

Below is information on the proposed City Charter amendments that were forwarded to the ballot for the General Election on November 4, 2014.

• 2014 Voters’ Pamphlet (Pierce County)

Results (Source: Pierce County Elections)

• Conform City Elections to State Law – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1
  Passed
  Yes 64.39%  No 35.61%
• Remove and Replace Obsolete Language – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 2
  Passed
  Yes 58.96%  No 41.04%
• Update Discrimination Provision – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 3
  Passed
  Yes 71.56%   No 28.44%
• Emergency Ordinance Effective Date – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 4
  Passed
  Yes 53.16%   No 46.84%
• Council Confirmation of Department Directors – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 5
  Passed
  Yes 53.63%    No 46.37%
• Council Confirmation of Utility Director – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 6
  Passed
  Yes 57.10%   No 42.90%
• Landmarks Preservation Commission – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 7
  Passed
  Yes 51.00%   No 49.00%
• Mayor and Council Term Limits – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 8
  Failed
  Yes 38.74%   No 61.26%
• Citizen Commission on Elected Salaries – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 9
  Passed
  Yes 54.54%   No 45.46%
• Cemeteries, Mausoleums, or Crematories – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 10
  Passed
  Yes 54.51%   No 45.49%
• City Employee Contracts – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 11
  Passed
  Yes 63.07%   No 36.93%
• Eligibility for City Employment – Proposed Charter Amendment No. 12
  Failed
  Yes 32.55%    No 67.45%

• The proposed 2014 City Charter amendments were published in the Tacoma News Tribune once a week for the four weeks to comply with state law (RCW 35.22.170). A 12-page insert was published on October 5, 16, 19, and 30 and is available online. You can also view the resolutions in their entirety below. If you have questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
• At the meeting of July 15, 2014, the City Council approved the following 12 proposed Charter amendments:
  • Resolution No. 38948 – Election provisions
  • Resolution No. 38949 – Gender neutral language
  • Resolution No. 38950 – Anti-discrimination provisions
  • Resolution No. 38951 – Effective date of emergency ordinances
  • Amended Resolution No. 38952 – City Council authority to confirm appointment of department heads
  • Resolution No. 38953 – City Council confirmation of Director of Utilities
  • Amended Resolution No. 38954 – Adding requirements for the Landmarks Preservation Commission
  • Amended Resolution No. 38955 – Term limits for Mayor and Council
  • Amended Resolution No. 38956 – Citizen Commission on Elected Salaries
  • Resolution No. 38957 – Deleting prohibition of new cemeteries
  • Resolution No. 38958 – City employee participation in conservation, environmental, and other programs
  • Resolution No. 38959 – Removing citizenship and City residency as requirements of eligibility for City employment
• At the meeting on July 22, 2014, the City Council by Resolution No. 38971 transmitted 12 ballot measures to the Pierce County Auditor to be placed on the ballot for the Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
• July 22, 2014: Resolution No. 38963 with Substitute Exhibit “A” – Appointing individuals to the “For” and “Against” committees
• November 12, 2013: Resolution No. 38773 – Creating a Charter Review Committee.
• September 17, 2013: Resolution No. 38733 – Designating the City Charter Review as a special project of limited duration.
• There were 15 positions on the Charter Review Committee and all positions were appointed in January 2014 in the following manner:
  • The Mayor and each City Council member recommended one person for appointment.
  • The Government Performance and Finance Committee recommended the appointment of six people, to reflect a cross section of the citizens of Tacoma.
  • The Mayor selected the chairperson of the Committee.

Charter Review Committee Documents

• 2014 Charter Review Committee Final Report – Includes the majority report and four minority reports transmitted by the Charter Review Committee to City Council on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.
• Final Report Form of Government “Blue” Version Charter – Majority report
• Amendment Support Sheets
• Term Limits – Charter Review Committee Form of Government only

Amendments Proposed by the City Council

• Term Limits – Mayor
• Public Financing of Campaigns
• Neighborhood Business Districts

Amendments Proposed by City Staff

• Personnel Rules Regarding Competitive Examinations

• Official Election Results (Source: Pierce County Elections)

Ballot Items:

• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1 – This proposition would amend Section 2.5 to allow for the recall of any elected officer of the City, including elected members of City boards and commissions.  (Resolution 36236)
  Passed
  Yes 84.02%   No 15.98%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 2 – This proposition would amend Section 2.13 to allow publication of a summary of every passed ordinance and provide that the effective date of ordinances authorizing franchises and the issuance of revenue bonds would be set by ordinance. (Resolution 36238)
  Passed
  Yes 73.31%   No 26.69%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 3 – This proposition would add new Section 2.26 to the Charter requiring that the City Council commence a review of the Charter at least once every ten years by appointing citizens to a charter review committee or by election of a board of freeholders. (Resolution 36239)
  Passed
  Yes 78.68%   No 21.32%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 4 – This proposition would amend the Charter by replacing Sections 2.18 through 2.21 with new Sections 2.18 through 2.20, providing a clear process for amending ordinances by initiative petition and for referendums, and repealing existing Sections 2.21 and 9.6. (Resolution 36240)
  Passed
  Yes 77.54%   No 22.46%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 5 – This proposition would amend Section 3.1 by adding language and require that the Council perform annual performance reviews of and vote every two years on whether to reconfirm the appointment of any City Manager. This proposition would authorize the City Council to directly retain an individual or organization to assist in recruiting or reviewing the performance of a City Manager (Resolution 36241)
  Passed
  Yes 82.67%   No 17.33%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 6 – This proposition would add a new Section 3.13 to the Charter that provides a uniform process for removal of members of any City board or commission. Sections 4.8 and 6.11 would be amended for consistency. Resolution 36242
  Passed
  Yes 79.46%   No 20.54%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 7 – This proposition would amend Section 6.3 by removing the limiting language to allow City employees and officials to hold other public offices not in conflict with law or the City’s policies and Code of Ethics. Resolution 36243
  Passed
  Yes 59.63%   No 40.37%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 8 – This proposition would amend Section 6.6 to define pecuniary interest as a financial interest and provide an exception for remote interests as defined by state law. Resolution 36244
  Passed
  Yes 63.87%   No 36.13%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 9 – This provision is contrary to state law and unenforceable. This proposition would amend Section 6.8 by deleting language contrary to state law and adding new language prohibiting dual office-holding by elected City officials. Resolution 36245
  Passed
  Yes 79.83%   No 20.17%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 10 – This proposition would amend Section 7.9 to allow for a broader range of electronic funds processing, delete the language regarding the Finance Director, and reaffirm the responsibilities of the City Treasurer. (Resolution 36248)
  Passed
  Yes 75.69%  No 24.31%
• Proposed Charter Amendment No. 11 – This proposition would amend Section 9.1 to allow City-owned waterfront property to be leased for up to 75 years and provide that leases of one year or less, without renewal options, do not need Council approval. Resolution 36250
  Passed
  Yes 58.96%   No 41.04%

The City Council appointed 15 members to a Charter Review Committee by Resolution No. 35924 in August 2003. The Final Report and Recommendations of the Charter Review Committee to the Tacoma City Council, as well as a joint study on the 2004 Charter Review process, are available below.

• 2004 Charter Review Recommendations to Council
• Revisiting Tacoma’s Government, a Second Look at its Council-Manager System
  A joint study sponsored by the City Club of Tacoma and the Municipal League of Tacoma/Pierce County July 2003.