So, how is this different from the way the City always has worked?
City government always has built roads, enforced codes and pulled together civic and business groups, but we often focused on one issue or government service at a time, overlapping efforts by chance or for a limited purpose. This new way recognizes that government services shouldn???t come in one size or one at a time, but should be delivered comprehensively. We believe this approach helps provide more permanent solutions.
Only together with the people who live and work in the neighborhood can we truly create a community.
We believe building a community from the inside out will work more quickly and effectively than the traditional way of providing city services. Tacoma???s pilot is based on a successful program in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa???s pilot started with five communities; that city now has 15 neighborhoods involved.
This new community-based team approach to providing services is all about building on a neighborhood???s strengths and personality: its people. Our number one principle: We???ll determine the priorities together. We???ll plan and perform the work together. And we???ll measure the progress and results together.
Here are our other guiding principles:
- We respect the efforts of individuals and existing agencies groups and organizations.
- We will spend time to understand these focus communities, and all of the people, places and agencies that operate within them.
- Every voice counts.
- Community Based Services strategically delivers city services more efficiently and effectively to communities.
- This program is a work in progress, and we recognize we don???t have all the answers.
Please contact the Media and Communications Office for comments regarding this web page. 