Year in Review Documents City’s Vision, Dedication, Success

January 06, 2026

Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) was a year of cheer for the City of Tallahassee and its nearly 4,000 employees, as its focus on strategic plan goals yielded impressive results, including being named a 2025 All-America City.

Over the past year, the City advanced key initiatives that strengthen Tallahassee's economic competitiveness, infrastructure capacity, public safety and quality of life. Progress includes continued job growth and residential development, targeted investments to reduce the impacts of poverty, modernization of public infrastructure and transit systems, nationally recognized operations and a measurable reduction in crime. Collectively, these efforts reinforce the City's position as a well-managed, innovative organization focused on delivering high-quality services while maintaining strong fiscal stewardship and public trust. With its strategic focus on being the national leader in the delivery of public service, the City was named the best-run City in Florida.

"City employees provide best-in-class municipal services to our community of approximately 200,000 neighbors, supporting them in all facets of life, work and recreation," City Manager Reese Goad said. "With direction from the City Commission and our robust, five-year Strategic Plan as a guide, momentum toward our shared goals is strong."

Advancements and achievements attained in FY25 are encapsulated in the annual Year in Review, which is now available online at Talgov.com/YearInReview. From historic snow days and dinner with 1,000+ neighbors at The Longest Table to continued economic diversification and implementation of clean energy initiatives, FY25 brought community together while moving the City forward toward its strategic plan goals. A few highlights include:

• Achieved a 6.18 percent decrease in violent crime (FY25 H1 vs. FY24 H1)
• Capital Region Real-Time Crime Center named National RTCC Center of the Year
• Named #1 Fleet in the Nation
• Over $350 million in active construction projects, including the Southside Transit Center, International Processing Facility at the Tallahassee International Airport, new Tallahassee Police Department Headquarters and second Senior Center
• Broke ground on Tallahassee's first network of municipally owned EV fast-charging stations
• Commenced construction of the Griffin Heights Grocery Store, a 2,500-square-foot fresh food market
• Earned three American Public Works Association Project of the Year awards for improvements to Capital Circle/Blair Stone Force Main, McCord Pond Ditch and Myrick-Skyland Ditch
• Issued permits/reviews for 548 new affordable housing units, including 400 in the Southside Action Plan area
• Expanded the City's park system, reaching a total of 102 parks with two more new parks currently under construction
• Set a record at the Capital City Senior Games with 742 athletes across 21 sports
• Cultivated more than 18,000 new jobs – 97 percent in the private sector – over the last five years
• Partnered with local schools to launch a Firefighter 1 certification program
• Named Economic Development Organization of the Year by the International Economic Development Council
• Hosted international conferences including the 2025 TakeOff North America Conference - drawing over 250 aviation industry leaders from around the world to Tallahassee, and the 2025 Motor, Drive Systems & Magnetics Conference - drawing over 260 industry leaders from around the world, showcasing Tallahassee's role as the Magnetic Capital of the World and unveiling the world's largest magnetically levitating sculpture
• Launched a new public-facing Strategic Plan Performance Dashboard tracking 133 initiatives, 24 objectives and seven priority areas
• Maintained AA municipal bond ratings across all categories, reflecting strong fiscal health

"Thanks to the tireless efforts of City staff, progress is evident. Whether responding to natural disasters, securing major grant funding, implementing transformative infrastructure projects or reducing crime, we continue to deliver measurable results for the community," Goad added. "I'm proud of the work, which is driving Tallahassee forward."

See more of the City's accomplishments and what makes Tallahassee a thriving community by watching this video and reading the annual Year in Review, available now online at Talgov.com/YearInReview.