Tacoma City Council Study Session - January 27, 2026

This study session featured three major presentations: Interim Police Chief Patty Jackson's vision for the Tacoma Police Department, a departmental update from the Media and Communications Office, and a discussion of future street levy options following the defeat of Streets Initiative 2 in April 2025. Council members expressed strong support for Chief Jackson's leadership and discussed lessons learned from the failed levy to inform a potential new ballot measure. No formal votes were taken; a confirmation vote for Chief Jackson is scheduled for February 3, 2026.

Interim Police Chief Vision

• Interim Chief Patty Jackson presented her vision for the Tacoma Police Department, emphasizing steady leadership, culture change, accountability, and transparency. She stated that the department does not enforce federal immigration law and that immigration status alone is not a basis for local police action.
• Chief Jackson reported progress since becoming interim in March 2025: stabilizing leadership, improving staffing, reviewing policies, focusing on officer wellness, and increasing community engagement.
• Council Members Sidalgay, Walker, Hines, Scott, Deputy Mayor Bushau, Diaz, and Mayor Ibsen all expressed strong support, citing her presence in the community, improved morale, successful hiring, and focus on trust.
• Council Member Hines asked about growing organizational capacity, not just adding officers. Chief Jackson responded by highlighting training and attracting officers who want to engage with the community.
• Mayor Ibsen asked about the Community Safety Action Strategy; Chief Jackson emphasized using crime analysis, responding to trends, and growing the agency responsibly.

Media & Communications Department Update

• Director Amy Clancy presented an overview of the Media and Communications Office (MCO). Key accomplishments include: launch of new website (Tacoma.gov), creation of a backup PIO position and a Tacoma Fire Department PIO position, improved social media gains, and progress on a podcast studio.
• MCO is working on an immigration resources webpage (expected by Friday, January 30), website improvements, and consistent branding across city departments.
• Financial overview: MCO has a biennial budget of $8.9 million (44% general fund, 56% internal services fund), plus franchise fees (~$4.5 million per biennium) and PEG fees ($1–1.5 million per biennium).
• Council Members asked about branding consistency, future-proofing communications, and potential for general government mailings. Director Clancy noted that branding consistency is a long-term effort to help the public recognize city work, and that MCO is exploring new platforms while maintaining archival requirements.

Future Street Levy Options

• Interim Public Works Director Curtis Kingsolver, Assistant Director Corey Newton, and Special Assistant Joe Franco presented options for a future street levy after the defeat of Streets Initiative 2 in April 2025.
• The original Streets Initiative (2015) raised over $397 million and exceeded its goals: 5,300 blocks of residential street maintenance completed (94% of 5,600 target), $135 million in state/federal grants leveraged (exceeding the $90 million target), and 81 capital projects supported.
• The 2025 ballot measure failed due to confusion over property tax impacts, absence of an expiration date, and low awareness of program accomplishments. Post-election focus groups in July 2025 revealed concerns about affordability and trust in government.
• Without a new levy, annual street-related funding drops by $20 million (20% of the Public Works budget), leading to deteriorating pavement conditions. The current backlog is $2.1 billion, with $680 million in deferred maintenance.
• Staff propose a 10-year levy with a community levy committee (stakeholders including transportation, non-motorized, Port, Chamber, and council-appointed members) meeting February–April 2026. A study session in mid-April would present a final package, with a council resolution needed by April 28 for an August 2026 ballot.
• Council Members discussed lessons learned: need for simpler messaging, focus on arterial streets and safety (Vision Zero), better education about pavement life cycles and grant matching, and inclusion of diverse voices (including those who voted no).

Items of Interest

• Mayor Ibsen provided updates on the city manager recruitment process: names for community panels were sent to council on January 24; the OSAC committee will meet January 29 to finalize a draft list for full council consideration.
• Mayor Ibsen also noted the Pierce County Resiliency Hub meeting on January 24, focusing on data-driven planning for countywide support.
• Council Member Sidalgay highlighted state legislation in Olympia regarding immigration enforcement and detention center accountability, and noted that a one-pager would be available at the evening community forum.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken during the study session.
• A confirmation vote for Interim Police Chief Patty Jackson is scheduled for the February 3, 2026 city council meeting.
• The Public Works Department will form a community levy committee in February 2026 to develop a future street levy package, with a target council resolution by April 28, 2026 for an August 2026 ballot.
• MCO will continue to work on the immigration resources webpage and branding consistency.
• Council members agreed to further explore enhanced communications (e.g., mailers) and stronger partnerships with Parks Tacoma for safe routes to parks.