TACOMA, Wash. — The City Charter – Tacoma’s governing document – is up for review in 2024, and applications are being accepted now through November 6, 2023 at noon from those interested in volunteering to be part of a 15-member Charter Review Committee.
The Mayor and members of the City Council will each recommend one individual for appointment. For the remaining six positions, the Government Performance and Finance Committee will recommend a diverse group of 10 or more individuals for Council appointment. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for December 5, 2023, from 8:30 to 11:30 AM.
Appointed applicants should anticipate the work of the Charter Review Committee to be time-intensive, as it involves a thorough review of the existing Charter, with possible after-hours meetings and extensive community engagement. The Charter Review Committee is expected to meet between January and April 2024 in a hybrid format with virtual and in-person options to attend. The Charter Review Committee is expected to submit its final report and recommendations to the City Council by May 7, 2024.
The City Council believes that the study of the existing Charter should be a deliberate, thoughtful, and inclusive process and, toward that end, the Charter Review Committee should represent a diverse group of residents representing different perspectives and socio-economic backgrounds including, by way of example, a youth representative.
Each appointed applicant is required to complete Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act trainings within 90 days of being appointed.
The application is available at cityoftacoma.org/CharterReview. To receive the application in another language or format, ask questions about the process, or request an accommodation, contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5505. Applications must be received in the City Clerk’s Office by noon on November 6, 2023.
To request a copy of the Charter or get additional information about the Charter Review process, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5505.
