TAL LA HAS SEE
2019 YEAR IN REVIEW 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW
Tallahassee City Hall CITY OF TALLAHASSEE Message from the City Manager OUR CITY. OUR FUTURE. One Community Working Together. 2019 was a year of significant progress for the City of Tallahassee. With the leadership of the Mayor and City Commissioners and in coordination with my fellow appointed officials, we set ambitious goals and focused on tackling the biggest issues facing our community, carving a path toward a bright future. Key among our accomplishments was the establishment of the 2024 Strategic Plan. This comprehensive, five-year plan touches every element of the organization, establishing metrics and goals by which we will measure our success as we reach our bicentennial. As part of the plan’s development, a workgroup of City employees and residents revised the City’s mission, vision and organizational values, which had not been updated in 22 Commissioner Mayor Pro Tem Mayor Commissioner Commissioner years. The City’s bold, new mission is to be the national leader in the delivery of public Jeremy Matlow Dianne Williams-Cox John E. Dailey Elaine W. Bryant Curtis Richardson service, and we are well on our way. As the largest single provider of municipal services in our region, the City of Tallahassee is a driving force for creating a strong, vibrant community with an balanced budget totaling $900 million. The City’s workforce, which is made up of more than 3,000 employees, is innovative, dedicated and invested in the success of the organization and the community. They work to ensure every citizen is proud to call Tallahassee home because it’s their home, too. This past year, we’ve accomplished a great many things toward improving Tallahassee’s City Manager City Attorney City Auditor City Treasurer-Clerk quality of life, safety, economy and infrastructure including expansion of the TEMPO Reese Goad Cassandra K. Jackson Dennis R. Sutton James O. Cooke, IV program to aid at-risk youth and combat the impacts of poverty; completion of a robust process for a nationwide police chief search; implementation of a site selection process for the new police headquarters; creation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to The City of Tallahassee was founded 195 years ago as Florida’s capital city. Today, the City further the development and implementation of the City’s diversity, equity and inclusion proudly serves a diverse community of nearly 200,000 neighbors in all facets of life, work and initiatives; adoption of the Clean Energy Resolution to secure our energy future by setting recreation. Each day, a devoted workforce of approximately 3,000 people come together to milestone markers, moving us toward 100% net renewable energy; recruited MetroNet, ensure the needs of the community are met through municipal service. To guide this effort, the a broadband provider, to make an initial investment of $75 million in Tallahassee that City Commission has adopted clear statements on why we exist, what we aspire to be and how will create jobs and make us the state’s first Gigabit City; acquired Northwood Centre for we work. redevelopment; and achieving a 10-year high in passenger travel through the Tallahassee International Airport. OUR MISSION Within the pages of this Year in Review, you’ll read more about the groundbreaking To be the national leader in the delivery of public service. things happening throughout the organization. You’ll also get a glimpse into the immense impact the City makes in the community. OUR VISION A creative capital city that supports a strong community with vibrant neighborhoods; an While we created positive change in many areas, the multi-faceted, systemic issues facing innovative economic and educational hub serving diverse and passionate people, protecting our our community are not ours alone to solve. Therefore, we enhanced citizen engagement, involving residents in neighborhood visioning, community planning, disaster response natural resources and preserving our unique character. and more. We strengthened partnerships with neighborhood associations, faith and OUR VALUES educational institutions and peer agencies. Collectively, we are stronger. • Honor public trust through ethical behavior We know where we are headed, and our horizon is bright. We are leading with integrity. • Provide exception citizen service We are investing in excellence. We are doing the work required to ensure Tallahassee • Lead with integrity at every level sets the standard for others to follow. • Collaborate to reach common goals • Invest in employee excellence • Promote equity and celebrate diversity City Manager
2 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 3 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE OF CITY THE TEAM TALLAHASSEE TEAM OUR /AWARDS CITY ������������������������������������������������������������ TRUST PUBLIC EFFECTIVENESS ORGANIZATIONAL OUR /STRUCTURE CITY ������������������������������������������������������ IMPACT POVERTY OF PUBLIC SAFETY PUBLIC PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PUBLIC QUALITY OF LIFE OF QUALITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS KEY & AREAS PRIORITY TALLAHASSEE: ATTALLAHASSEE: GLANCE A �������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� YEAR IN REVIEW IN YEAR pg pg pg pg pg pg pg pg pg pg pg pg ...... 40 . 42 23 27 39 35 15 19 31 11 . . 5 9 6 AT A GLANCEAT TALLAHASSEE: TALLAHASSEE: $900 MILLION 88 Parks, 70 Miles of Trails, 55 Tennis BALANCED BUDGET Courts, 29 Playgrounds, 11 Pools, 4 Dog Parks, 2 Disc Golf Courses & an Interactive Fountain 600+ VOLUNTEER HOURS SOLAR FARM TO COMPLETED BUILD CONSTRUCTION $195,000 410 2 HOMES 3 NEW H4H SWORN OFFICERS MORE THAN 3,000 employees MILLION25 3.3 GALLONS OF million DRINKING StarMetro Rides WATER PER DAY
10 Year High in Passenger Traffic @ TLH
650 mi MILES of streets OF WATER signalized356 1,300 MAIN PIPING 500 mi intersections of sidewalks
6 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 7 8 PRIORITY AREAS & KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE OF CITY THE transparency. Enhance publictrustthrough ethicalbusinesspractices and technology-driven. Be animpact-focusedworkforce thatisinclusive,pioneeringand resources thatremove economicandsocialbarriers. Be aleadingcommunitypartnerthatactivelyconnectsresidents to Be asafe,resilient andinclusivecommunity. amenities andpublictransportation. network supportedbywell-connectedroads, sidewalks,transit progressive community. Be acitywithanefficient publictransit Be aleading publiclyownedutilitythatsupportsagrowing and sustainable regional economichub. Advance theCity ofTallahassee asacompetitive,innovativeand that protect andpromote resources andcultures. Be acreative andinclusivecommunitywithbeautifulpublicspaces to guide service efforts. to guideservice the Tallahassee City Commission identified sevenpriorityareas To achieveourvision, PUBLIC TRUST ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS IMPACT OF POVERTY PUBLIC SAFETY PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUALITY OF LIFE QUALITY YEAR IN REVIEW IN YEAR 9 10 QUALITY OF LIFE THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE OF CITY THE options for every income level,healthyneighborhoods options forevery Ongoing qualityof life effortsincludesustainability initiatives, maintaining theurbancanopy, housing With acontinuedfocusonmaintainingfinancial Quality oflifeisthegeneral health, well-being, comfort andhappinessexperiencedbycitizens.
Quality ofLife
stability, providingqualityservicesresponsive to customersandenhancingcommunity and residents areproudtocallTallahassee home. neighborhood vitality, theCity isensuringall
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Key 2019 Highlights
• Adopted the Urban Forest Master Plan to ensure the City’s tree Moving Forward with Purpose / canopy is healthy and maintains its current 55 percent coverage. • Designated a segment of Orange Avenue as “C.K. Steele Highway” Revitalizing Our Neighborhoods to honor local civil rights activist. Tallahassee is a community of Frenchtown for residents and visitors • Removed non-gender neutral language from City Charter and neighborhoods, and the neighborhoods to enjoy. other governing documents. in which we live contribute to who we are. Each Tallahassee neighborhood is Similarly, the Greater Bond • Recognized nationally by the Human Rights Campaign as an Neighborhood First Plan addresses the LGBTQ Inclusive Municipal Empl0yer with a score of 99/100 in the unique with its own set of advantages and challenges. residents’ top priorities and concerns. Municipal Equality Index. Approved soon after Frenchtown’s • Provided $100,000 in grant funding for large public events held in To help ensure that all residents plan, a key element came to fruition the downtown area. can enjoy an excellent quality of this year, securing additional funding life, the City invests resources into of $8,800 from AARP to construct • Held inaugural “Taste of Tallahassee” event to showcase local every pocket of our community to linear pocket parks. culture and flavors to visitors and new residents. address challenges, be those issues of • Unveiled Frenchtown Historical Marker Trail to tell the history connectivity, economics or livability. Nearby, South City was designated of Frenchtown, one of Tallahassee’s oldest African-American a “Purpose Built Community” communities. These efforts coupled with strong by the Atlanta-based non-profit citizen engagement have led to the Purpose Built Communities Inc. Its • Awarded $8,800 AARP grant to construct pocket parks in the creation of action plans that set the three-pronged approach focuses on Greater Bond Neighborhood. course for neighborhoods to be vibrant affordable housing, cradle-to-college • Added four new outdoor pickleball courts and a new pump track and safe. These plans include the education and community amenities in Tom Brown Park. Frenchtown Placemaking Plan and the that promote a healthy lifestyle. To Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan. complement this effort, the City • Broke ground on the Southeast Park. allocated more than $1 million in • Implemented the Frenchtown Placemaking Plan and the Greater The Frenchtown Placemaking Plan support and will collaborate with Bond Neighborhood First Plan. was the first neighborhood plan to residents and stakeholders in 2020 on be officially approved, and several a comprehensive neighborhood plan. • Expanded wayfinding signage in Midtown. noticeable elements were implemented • Awarded $429,000 grant from the Florida Housing Finance in 2019. This includes new The City also installed new gas street Corporation for Hurricane Michael recovery. neighborhood designation signs that lights along Seventh Avenue for the top street signs throughout the area, Levy Park neighborhood and provided • Held more than 130 community meetings, workshops and citizen nine “Soul Voices” audio markers that support to help the Eastgate and Bull working group meetings. detail the neighborhood’s rich history Run V neighborhoods host socials for and large-scale block party events, their residents. dubbed “Frenchtown Rising,” that take place on Friday nights before Florida Through steady visioning and a strong A&M University home games. Each of commitment to its residents, the City these elements addresses a different is bringing value to all areas of our objective set forth in the plan, which is community to ensure that Tallahassee ongoing in its execution; however, they flourishes. all work together to build a stronger
12 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 13 14 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE OF CITY THE growing economiesinFlorida. Through coordination $13.8 billion,Tallahassee hasoneofthefastest- and cooperationwithmultiplestakeholders, the economic developmentefforts of the City of Development
With aGross Domestic Product (GDP) of
Tallahassee haveadvanced localbusiness.
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Key 2019 Highlights
• Approved a joint-use agreement for City-owned power poles, making way for MetroNet, a fiber optic telecommunication service provider, to invest $75 million in the Tallahassee market. • Purchased the Northwood Centre at auction to spur development Making Tallahassee Florida’s along the Monroe Street corridor. • Received $17.5 million in aviation grant funding for the design of a First Gigabit City new International Passenger Processing Facility at the Tallahassee Success in today’s modern world areas in this country where broadband International Airport (TLH). requires a stronger connection to access is unavailable. In urban areas, • Increased airport passenger traffic by 6.6 percent up to 852,855 technology than ever before. From 97 percent of Americans have access to total passengers, a ten year high. basic research for a school project to high-speed fixed service. In rural areas, sealing international business deals, that number falls to 65 percent. Nearly • Established Elevate Florida’s Capital for Business Grant Fund to a fast, reliable and affordable internet 30 million Americans are currently invest in and provide a strong talent development and retention connection is crucial. Two important unable to benefit from the advantages network for employees and employers in Tallahassee. steps were made this year to further of being a part of the digital age • Contributed to a 38 percent decrease over five years in the these services for Tallahassee residents. (Federal Communication Commission, 2019). unemployment rate, bringing the rate to 3.5 percent. First, the City Commission requested two studies. One looked at municipal While the conversation and research broadband networks. The other occurred, the Commission acted on analyzed fiber optic networks and the City Manager’s recommendation broadband Internet accessibility to immediately move the needle and in Tallahassee. For the latter, a enhance economic development partnership was formed with a opportunities in this space. The vote research team from Florida A&M to adjust the City’s policy for joint use University’s School of Business and of utility poles opened the door for Industry. private utility providers to share space on 9,000 City utility poles, roughly 15 Research sought to analyze the percent of the City’s inventory. feasibility of utilizing or expanding the City’s existing municipal fiber This approach proved successful, network to provide broadband Internet as MetroNet, a fiber optic to residents and businesses. The basis telecommunication service provider, of the discussion was rooted in the announced its intention to expand perception of a “digital divide,” in services to Tallahassee, bringing a which a lack of Internet access acts planned investment of $75 million as a social and economic barrier for to the Capital City. Recognizing the economically-disadvantaged residents. City’s desire to close the digital divide, Highspeed internet, or broadband, is MetroNet agreed to invest in the instrumental for residents as it relates Bond, Frenchtown and South City to providing economic opportunity, neighborhoods. The company’s arrival job creation, education and civic will make Tallahassee the first Gigabit engagement. However, there are many City in Florida.
16 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 17 18 PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE OF CITY THE infrastructure areallowingtheCity to providehigh quality servicesinafiscallyresponsible waywhile and streamlinedprocessesformaintaining our
meeting theneedsofagrowing community. Enhanced efficiency, innovativeapproaches Infrastructure
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• Adopted the Clean Energy Plan Resolution, which sets milestone markers to move the City organization and community to 100 percent net renewable energy by 2050. • Advanced construction of the Lower Central Drainage Ditch Erosion Control Project, helping protect private property and downstream water bodies. Project is slated to be complete in March 2020. • Advanced construction of Weems PASS Phase II to eliminate area flooding and relieve traffic congestion at one of the community’s busiest intersections. Project is slated to be complete in August 2020. • Launched E-Scooter Pilot Program to increase use of micromobility. Since July 2019, there have been more than 100,000 e-scooter rides. • Acquired 15 new electric buses, making a third of StarMetro’s fleet Setting the Course for a electric. • Completed drainage improvements in Midtown area to lessen Brighter Future localized flooding issues in the Glendale neighborhood. Enjoying a clean, healthy environment and the Kyoto protocol, and it is on • Constructed Tallahassee Solar Farm 2, a 40-megawatt solar farm, is a hallmark of Tallahassee’s high track to surpassing the 2025 Paris advancing the City’s clean energy goal. quality of life. To ensure that this Accord goal well before that time. continues for future generations, the • Maintained 500 miles of sidewalks, replaced 12,000 linear feet of Tallahassee City Commission formally • StarMetro purchased 15 new, all- sidewalk and improved approximately 60 lane miles of City roads. adopted the Clean Energy Resolution electric buses this year as part of a partnership with Florida State • Completed construction of the City’s newest water supply well, in February 2019. This action affirmed the City’s goal of moving the University, making one-third of the providing system redundancy and adding capacity for the northern City’s daily bus fleet electric. region of the City’s water system. organization and community to 100 percent net renewable energy by 2050. To meet the resolution’s goal, the City • Completed the Centerville Road Force Main Rehabilitation Project, To guide these efforts internally, is developing a Clean Energy Plan – the replacing 1,500 feet of sewer pipe near Hickory Ridge Road to increase actionable blueprint that will guide service reliability and protect the environment. the City set milestone markers that touch on such things as increasing efforts through 2050. The plan will lay • Installed new, natural gas generators at Substation 12 off Centerville solar energy production, reducing out how to approach the reinvention of Road and the Arvah B. Hopkins Power Generating Station. These greenhouse emissions and shifting our City’s energy future. units are fuel efficient, support the efficiency of solar operations StarMetro fixed route buses to 100 From programs to aid residents like and enhance system resiliency for storm situations. percent electric. Progress is well free energy audits to community • Completed the Line 55 Electric Transmission Project to enhance underway. partnerships like the Capital Area electric reliability. • Construction occurred this year for Sustainability Compact, the City’s Solar Farm 2, a 40MW facility. It is wide-ranging endeavors continue to expected to be operational in 2020. reduce the community’s dependence on fossil fuels, enhance sustainability, • The Electric Utility has already and ultimately, create a flourishing reduced emissions beyond the set environment for future Tallahasseans. goals for both the 2020 Paris Accord
20 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 21 22 PUBLIC SAFETY THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE OF CITY THE concerns toprovidingapathway fordisconnected address publicsafety andthesystemicissuesthat stronger bondswiththousandsof residents.From crime inourcommunitythroughacollaborative, Safety Initiative havehelped TPD’s officersbuild The City’s continuedcommitment toaddressing Jam, Water Warz andtheNeighborhood Public community-focused approachisworking.Over the lastyear, community-centered eventssuch opportunities, the City isworkingholistically to working directlywithneighborhoods toaddress youth toconnectwitheducational andcareer as Operation SafeNeighborhoods, Splash &
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YEAR IN REVIEW IN YEAR y . contribute toit. 23 Key 2019 Highlights
• Initiated site selection process for the new Tallahassee Police Department headquarters. • Expanded City-provided Advanced Life Support services, reaching 80 percent county-wide coverage. • Hired a new Chief of Police through a thorough nationwide search and community vetting process. • Held Operation Safe Summer events in three neighborhoods to empower residents and help deter acts of violence. • Adopted the Tallahassee Community Resilience Plan to address climate-related threats and economic vulnerabilities through a comprehensive strategy. A Community Approach to Safety • Conducted 22 disaster preparedness presentations for more than In 2019, our community had energetic and Leading the charge will be the newly 800 residents throughout the community. robust conversations about public safety. hired Chief of Police who was selected • Awarded a $250,831 grant from the Department of Homeland Like never before, residents participated from a nationwide pool of 52 candidates. Security for Hazmat, Mutual Aid Radio and Urban Search and in activities and contributed to decisions The process for hiring a new chief began Rescue to advance the City’s safety and resilience goals. relating to the Tallahassee Police in August 2019 with a search conducted Department. by the Florida Police Chief’s Association (FPCA). Of the 52 resume submissions One of the largest engagement efforts accepted, FPCA recommended 20 of the past year was the process to candidates to the local Community identify a location for the next police Partners Committee, which was comprised headquarters. TPD has outgrown its of community, faith, business and law current headquarters, which was originally enforcement leaders. These community built as a school and is nearly 100 years old. stakeholders twice narrowed the list down Building a new facility will require a large during public meetings and unanimously public investment and have ripple effects voted to advance three finalists for for the surrounding community. Ensuring consideration. City Manager Reese Goad residents have a voice in the process is made the final selection in December. vital. Additionally, TPD continues to implement Launching the effort, 68 site proposals proactive, community-based solutions were received from the community. that complement law enforcement Through multiple rounds of evaluation and efforts, from prevention campaigns like public input, the list was narrowed to two #9PMRoutine to community philanthropy top locations. like Bigs in Blue to educational classes like Work continues to analyze the sites and RAD (Rape Aggression Defense). incorporate resident feedback prior to a These efforts reflect the holistic approach presentation to the Commission for a final required to affect real change in public selection in early 2020. After selection, safety. In 2020, the City and TPD will community input will continue to be continue to work hand-in-hand with incorporated as this project moves from a residents to make Tallahassee safer, bold idea to a physical amenity for our city. resilient and inclusive.
24 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 25 26 IMPACT OF POVERTY THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE OF CITY THE of povertynationwide continuetobechallengesthat training, healthand wellnessandaffordablehousing. demand acollectivecommunity response. The City including theeducation ofdisconnectedyouth,job Rising economicinequalityand thehumanimpact address nearly every influencing factorofpoverty,address nearlyevery
supports multiplelocalprograms andservicesto
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• Sponsored the construction of three Big Bend Habitat for Humanity homes in the form of financial support in the amount of $195,000 and volunteer manpower provide by City employees, marking the third time the City and organization have partnered to construct a grand total of eight homes. • Donated two City lots to Habitat for Humanity, one for a Veterans Build project and one for a Youth Build Project. • Achieved a zero percent recidivism rate for TEMPO (Tallahassee Engaged in Meaningful Productivity for Opportunity youth) program’s 740 participants. • Received $70,000 from Department of Juvenile Justice to serve 740 youth enrolled in re-engagement programs. • Provided $100,000 grant to the South City Foundation to support Purpose Built, a program that promotes a holistic approach to addressing housing, education and health needs. • Committed $1,300,000 in matching funds for Low-Income Housing Picking up the TEMPO Tax Credits for the redevelopment of Orange Avenue Apartments. • Donated one-week of parking citation collections estimated at for Tallahassee Youth $2,500 to the Foundation for Leon County Schools for school supplies for students in area Title 1 schools. “TEMPO refocused my life and Participants connect with resources, changed it for the better,” Casey Hayes, including mentoring, education, career • Awarded $150,000 grant from the Knight Foundation to advance 21, said. “I now know that I can do training and local support options, food security and entrepreneurship through the City’s Vacant-to- more.” such as childcare providers. By tapping Vibrant Program. participants into these networks, Casey, a graduate of the TEMPO TEMPO has been described as a program, is one of 740 young lifeline, echoing Casey’s sentiments by individuals whose lives have been the hundreds. forever changed by the City’s efforts to meaningfully connect with our Seeing the priceless transformation community’s disconnected youth. of the more than 700 young adults TEMPO, which was founded in who have participated in the TEMPO October 2017, provides people ages program since its inception, the City 16-24 who are out of school and out of Manager, with support from the City work (defined as disconnected youth) Commission, expanded the program’s with educational and employment staffing and resources this year. The opportunities. new caseworkers are helping grow the reach and effectiveness of the program, According to data, these young people helping local youths see their potential have the greatest potential to be gun and find their own path to success. violence offenders and victims. TEMPO provides a better alternative.
28 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 29 30 ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE OF CITY THE To provide these services, which include everything from utilities to utilities from which include everything To services, these provide law enforcement and fire protection to aviation, the City operates enforcementlaw protectionCity the fire aviation, and to The City isThe the largest provider of municipal services in the region. provide avital support structure to ensure the City continues to While external services are frequently at the forefront, internal internal forefront, the at frequently are services external While A workforce of more than 3,000 employees works around the services, such as human resources, financial services and fleet Organizational operate efficiently, effectively, transparently and ethically.and efficiently,operate effectively,transparently Effectiveness
clock toclock best-in-class provide to Tallahassee. services
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. 31 Key 2019 Highlights
• Adopted the 2024 Strategic Plan to guide City operations toward its bicentennial. • Adopted new mission, vision and values statements, which had not been revised in 22 years. Our City. • Created the Department of Community Services to directly combat the impacts of poverty. Our Future. • Held accelerated job fair for 300 job seekers, of which at least 90 Our community celebrates its directives is ensuring the City’s received a conditional offer of employment on site or a call-back for bicentennial in 2024. To set the workforce is reflective of the a second interview. groundwork that will guide our community it serves. This includes community into its 200th anniversary, developing a strategic focus on • Implemented a new Parental Leave Policy providing new parents up the Tallahassee City Commission recruiting, retaining and promoting to six weeks of paid leave. approved the 2024 Strategic Plan in the best and most diverse talent • Created the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to further the 2019. This plan, the first overarching available. development and implementation of the City’s diversity, equity and plan of its magnitude in the City’s The City’s award-winning programs inclusion initiatives. history, set forth the framework for us to chart our progress toward achieving Tallahassee Engaged in Meaningful • Established a recruitment pipeline for engineers with the FAMU- our collective aspirations for who we Productivity for Opportunity (TEMPO) FSU College of Engineering. are as a community, while solidifying and the Tallahassee Future Leaders • Significantly increased the diversity of the City’s Leadership Team the City as the national leader in the Academy (TFLA) are now housed through the hiring and development of 5 new Department Directors. delivery of public service. within the Department of Community Services. These programs directly The five-year strategic plan seeks combat the impacts of poverty by to build a creative Capital City that connecting local youth with education supports a strong community with and employment opportunities. vibrant neighborhoods and diverse, passionate people; that thrives as an These two new departments were innovative economic and educational created within the existing Fiscal Year hub; and that protects our natural 2020 budget – a testament to the City’s resources. commitment to fiscal responsibility. This commitment has helped the To address and streamline City achieve “AA” bond ratings and organizational efforts for key keep the cost of municipal services elements in the strategic plan, City among the lowest for peer cities in the Manager Reese Goad created two new state. The City remains committed to departments: the Office of Diversity its transparent, year-round budget and Inclusion and the Department of process. Community Services. The effectiveness of any organization The Office of Diversity and Inclusion begins with its credibility among is responsible for the further the community it serves. The City is development and implementation committed to honoring the public trust of the City’s diversity, equity and by being transparent, accountable, inclusion initiatives. One of its accessible and open.
32 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 33 34 PUBLIC TRUST THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE OF CITY THE responsibility, ethicaldecisionmakingand efficient uses ofresources,whilemaintaining transparency
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. 35 Key 2019 Highlights
• Achieved 100 percent participation in ethics training by all employees. • Adopted ethics reform package, including a zero gift policy, expanded jurisdiction of the Independent Ethics Board and expanded financial reporting requirements. • Held three City Commission meetings outside City Hall (Gilchrist Elementary School in April 2019 and the Smith-Williams Community Center in January and June 2019). • Expanded mailing and notice radius for public hearings related to site plan reviews, re-zonings and the sale of City property. • Eliminated the 30-minute provision for agendaed items for public comment at City Commission meetings. • Implemented an opportunity for public input at the time each agenda item is taken up at City Commission meetings. • Placed the full list of current lobbyists and vendors on Talgov.com. Commission Passes Ethics Reform Package On Dec. 4, 2019, the Tallahassee City submit a document consistent with a Commission unanimously passed the Florida Form 6 reflecting full disclosure most comprehensive ethics reform of their financial interests. Hotline ordinance in City history, creating calls alleging ethical violations are one of the strongest ethics packages now afforded the same confidential for any municipality in Florida. The protections as any other ethics package aims to strengthen public complaint. These are only some of trust in local government and enhance the changes that comprise the Ethics transparency. Reform Package. The new and strengthened provisions In a fast-paced, ever-evolving world, dictate the high ethical standards these new standards set pillars for required of all City employees, from the organization and provide clarity the highest level of the Commission to for decision making that create seasonal part-time work. For example, consistency at all levels and greater an updated gift policy prohibits the accountability. Becoming the national solicitation or acceptance of gifts from leader in the delivery of public service any entity or individual who conducts requires a strong foundation and a or wishes to do business with the City. strong vision, both of which were set The expanded financial disclosure this year. provision requires elected officials to
36 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 37 AWARDS OUR CITY/ Southern Living Magazine South’s Best Cities - Top 10 With a nod to our delicious dining scene and vibrant districts balanced by our beautiful natural surroundings and opportunities for outdoor adventure, Tallahassee was named one of the South’s Best Cities by Southern Living Magazine, making it the only Florida city to be recognized in the category.
Livability.com 2019 Top 100 Best Places to Live Amenities, civics, demographics, economy, education, healthy, housing and infrastructure all helped Tallahassee earn a spot on this prestigious list.
American Public Gas Association 2019 Public Gas Achievement Award The City’s Natural Gas Utility was named the best in the nation this year when it won the Public Gas System Achievement Award. This award is presented annually to one public gas system for its substantial contributions to the community, other utilities and the goals of APGA.
38 THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE YEAR IN REVIEW 39 OUR CITY/ STRUCTURE