Year in review highlights City successes

Focus on delivery of public service produces results

Jake Gaither Golf Course is one of the most popular facilities owned by the City of Tallahassee.
Photo by St. Clair Murraine

Special to the Outlook

The City of Tallahassee and its nearly 4,000 employees provide municipal services to a diverse community of nearly 200,000 neighbors, supporting them in all facets of life, work and recreation.

 Advancement and successes achieved in fiscal year 2023 are encapsulated in the annual Year in Review, which is now available online at Talgov.com/YearInReview.

“It takes an immense amount of work, tenacity and innovation to continually provide the best-in-class municipal services our community relies upon,” City Manager Reese Goad said. “With direction from the City Commission and dedication from our employees, the City of Tallahassee continuously produces outstanding results. It is my honor to lead such a great team of professionals and present the annual Year in Review.”

Targeted investments in public infrastructure, public safety, affordable housing, reliable utilities, economic development and more ensured the city continued to cultivate a strong sense of community, vibrant neighborhoods and thriving businesses, while preserving the area’s unique character. This strategic focus to be the national leader in the delivery of public service helped Tallahassee earn distinction as one of HGTV’s 2023 Top 20 Best Mid-Size Cities in the United States.

From the expansion of the City’s parks system to adoption of the Clean Energy Plan, 2023 brought about strong progress toward the city’s strategic plan goals. A few highlights include:

Opened the Capital Region Real Time Crime Center

Average review time of 2.73 days for single-family residential permits

Secured new JetBlue air service for TLH passengers

$859 million of economic impact realized through the Tallahassee International Airport

34 percent lower electric rates vs. 2008

$91 million electric bill savings to customers

$49.5 million invested in affordable housing units over five years

$36 million secured to electrify the city’s bus fleet and construct the Southside Transit Center

$8.2 million invested in stormwater enhancements

$3.4 million invested in human services via the Community Human Service Partnership (CHSP)

$2.1 million in energy efficiency grants, loans and rebates provided to City Utilities customers

Best Neighborhood Program according to Neighborhoods USA

96 parks, 4,000 acres and 80 miles of trails maintained as best-in-class

1.8 million trips provided by StarMetro, the City’s mass transit service, including 38,107 free bus trips for K-12 students enrolled in the STAR Program 4,607 non-violent mental health calls responded to by the Tallahassee Emergency Assessment Mobile units

46.2 tons of hazardous and bulky waste safely disposed of thanks to the City’s Cash for Trash program

40 public meetings streamed live, with recordings available online after for people to watch when their schedule allows

Dive into more of the City’s accomplishments and learn what makes Tallahassee a thriving community by reading the annual Year in Review, available now via Talgov.com/YearInReview.