City Policy Initiatives

The City Manager's Office is currently working on these projects and other priority areas.

Race & Equity

An evolving effort to comprehensively address systemic racism and bias in Palo Alto to create more inclusion and belonging.

The City of Palo Alto engages in state and federal legislative activities pursuant to our Council-approved Advocacy Process Manual and Legislative Guidelines. Additionally, City staff tracks multiple bills that may impact or are of interest to the City.

Palo Alto Fiber

Palo Alto Fiber citywide initiative includes providing fiber (broadband services) to Palo Alto homes and businesses.

Connecting Palo Alto

Connecting Palo Alto is a community-based process to address the increased traffic congestion expected when Caltrain electrifies the tracks and runs more trains through the corridor. Community feedback and collaboration are a vital part of this decision-making process that will affect future generations to come.

City Budget

The City of Palo Alto's budget, as approved by the City Council, reflects resource allocations consistent with City policies, goals, and priorities. It also communicates to our residents and staff an action plan for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes program goals and the standards by which the delivery of services to the public will be measured.

Community and Economic Recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on all communities. In Palo Alto, City Council originally provided direction by adopting Community & Economic Recovery as one of four Council priorities at its annual retreat on January 2021 with a resulting work plan adopted in March 2021. The City has since made tremendous strides to accomplish most of the work plan, with others in the works.

Fiscal Sustainability

A core City value continues to be how to maintain a high quality of City services in a fiscally sustainable way, with many ongoing community conversations dedicated to the topic. Learn more about fiscal sustainability here.

Sustainability

Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, making impressive - and in some cases remarkable - progress toward reducing its carbon impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource consumption since establishing its first Climate Protection Plan in 2007. Learn more about local sustainability efforts here.