Boards, Commissions, and Programs - Tacoma 2025: Strategic Plan

The City of Tacoma’s Committees, Boards, and Commissions provided essential feedback and support in the creation of Tacoma 2025. Below you can learn more about the different groups and how their work relates to the 2025 Framework Goals

FRAMEWORK GOALS

Accessibility & Equity

Civic Engagement

Livability

Economy & Workforce

Education

committees, boards, and commissions

related framework goals

Government, Finance, And Performance Committee

Audit Advisory Board

The Audit Advisory Board supports the City Council’s Government Performance and Finance Committee in carrying out its audit advisory, oversight and liaison functions. These functions include: ensuring coordination of audit needs of the City Council and the work of independent auditors retained by the City to audit City programs, functions, and activities; making audit management recommendations to the City Council; seeking qualified independent auditors to perform such audits; and acting as a liaison between the City Council and the office of the City Manager with regard to audits of City programs, functions, and activities that are not under the direction of the City Council.

Board Of Ethics

The role of the Board is to receive, investigate, and make recommendations for disposition of complaints of violation of the Code of Ethics by the City Manager, the Director of Public Utilities, a member of the Public Utility Board (Utility Board), or a City-elected official. The Board may also render advisory opinions in response to a request by one of the aforementioned officials, and render and publish formal opinions on any matter within the scope of the Board’s authority which it may deem appropriate.

Civil Service Board

The Civil Service System for the City of Tacoma extends Civil Service protections and coverage to the majority of the City’s work force. Powers and duties consist of making revisions to the Civil Service Rules, also known as Personnel Rules, advising City Council and other officials on Civil Service and personnel matters, investigating conditions of employment in Civil Service, conducting appeal hearings on suspensions more than 30 days, demotions, or terminations, and hearing complaints regarding Civil Service rules.

Public Utility Board

The Board oversees the management and operation of Tacoma Public Utilities, which includes Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water, and Tacoma Rail.

Economic Development Committee

Tacoma Arts Commission

The Tacoma Arts Commission provides leadership in supporting and enhancing the arts for the benefit of the City and its residents. Its purpose is to develop, support, coordinate, sponsor, and present the arts on a year-round basis for the benefit of the residents of Tacoma. The primary responsibility of the Commission is to create policies to support the ongoing development of arts programs and projects in Tacoma. Its primary programs include the funding of artists and arts organizations to provide services for the citizens of Tacoma, and oversight of the Municipal Art Program.

City Events And Recognitions Committee

The Committee serves as an advisory and action committee for the City on matters pertaining to City-hosted events and special recognition programs, such as: the City’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, City of Destiny Awards, and other special national and local observations. The Committee is responsible for planning, reviewing and evaluating events. The Committee will engage the broader Tacoma community in fundraising efforts and the solicitation of corporate and private sponsorships to leverage funds for the events.

Foss Waterway Development Authority

The Foss Waterway Development Authority will undertake, assist with, and otherwise facilitate the redevelopment of property within and along the Thea Foss Waterway, currently an underutilized and blighted waterfront area in the heart of the City.

Infrastructure, Planning, And Sustainability Committee

Board Of Building Appeals

The Board of Building Appeals was established as a quasi-judicial board that reviews and approves the updating of the City’s Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, Dangerous Building, Minimum Housing, Boiler and Energy Codes.

Landmark Preservation Commission

The Commission oversees the establishment and regulation of landmarks, local historic districts, proposed name changes for public facilities and certain property tax incentives. Additional information about the Commission is available through the City’s Historic Preservation Department.

Sustainable Tacoma Commission

The Commission oversees implementation of Tacoma’s Climate Action Plan as the City and community reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is intended to bring citizen accountability, transparency, and vigilance to the long-term implementation of Tacoma’s Climate Action Plan, as developed by the Green Ribbon Climate Action Task Force.

Planning Commission

Pursuant to Tacoma Municipal Code Chapter 13.02, the Planning Commission develops and updates the Comprehensive Plan and its elements; formulates effective and efficient land use and development regulations and processes that implement the Comprehensive Plan; and reviews various planning issues, such as area-wide zoning reclassifications, moratoria, interim zoning, pre-annexation planning, historic district designation, urban design, and transportation and capital facilities programs.

Transportation Commission

The Transportation Commission advises the City Council on transportation-related matters such as:

Short-term and long-range transportation planning
Compliance with local, regional, and federal transportation regulations
Bike, pedestrian, and mass transit-related planning initiatives
Parking and capital improvement plans

Community Vitality And Safety Committee

Citizen Police Advisory Committee

The Committee also provides community outreach and education through public hearings and committee efforts.

Reviewing police policy at the request of the City Council or City Manager
Receiving and reviewing policy complaints by members of the public
Providing advice to the City Council, the City Manager and the Chief of Police on Police policy matters

Human Rights Commission

The Commission studies, investigates and mediates community issues that may result from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or disability.

Human Services Commission

The Commission serves as a resource to the City Council and City Staff for implementation of the City’s Human Services Strategic Plan.

Tacoma Area Commission On Disabilities

The Commission advises City Council in policy making, and partners with the community to bring awareness of issues that affect individuals with disabilities. In addition, commission members participate on committees, help educate the public about disability issues, and serve as a resource for City staff.

Tacoma Committee Redevelopment Authority Board

The Board administers loans to a variety of clients such as low-income families who need help in buying or repairing their homes, owners who provide multi-family housing to low-income families, businesses which create jobs or rehabilitate older, blighted buildings, and non-profit organizations that provide services to our community.

Commission On Immigrant And Refugee Affairs

The purpose of the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs is to better engage Tacoma’s immigrant and refugee communities and to work with community partners to identify and advance positive outcomes for members of this population.