Community Conversations

A core belief for the City of Tuscaloosa is to be customer friendly and conduct business in an open, efficient and effective manner. In an effort to meet this belief, Mayor Walter Maddox launched his Community Conversations Initiative in April 2007.

Community Conversations is a new approach to hosting a town hall meeting. Instead of talking at residents, the Mayor, Council Members and Department Heads want to talk directly with the people who pay their salaries. Community Conversations will be held four separate times across the City from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and it will be a come-and-go event. In other words, there will be no long speeches and presentations, just City leaders and information at your disposal.

The Mayor, District Council Members and all Department Heads will be available to talk to you about zoning, infrastructure projects, ideas and initiatives that are occurring in your community.

Below are a few of the highlights for residents from Community Conversations:

·         Talk directly to Mayor, Council Member and Department Heads

·         View and provide input on the updated 1972 Comprehensive Land Use Plan

·         View neighborhood area comprehensive plans such as West Tuscaloosa, Forest Lake, etc.

·         Free blood pressure checks by the Tuscaloosa Fire Department

·         Free fingerprinting of children by the Tuscaloosa Police Department

·         View current job vacancies and apply for positions on-line

·         Receive a copy of the City of Tuscaloosa’s annual budget

·         Receive information on business licenses and tax structure

·         Receive information on the 311 Call Center

·         Receive information on filing claims and Municipal Court procedures

·         Receive information on fire safety including fire alarm installation

·         Receive information on how to form a neighborhood association

·         Receive crime statistical information for your Council District

·         View maps and provide input regarding future zoning, road, drainage, water & sewer projects

·         Learn about the City of Tuscaloosa’s recycling and litter programs

·         Receive information on inspection procedures

·         View the construction progress and timeline for downtown and the riverfront

·         View information and provide input on a potential downtown hotel and conference center

·         Review information on emergency preparedness from weather threats to pandemic flu

Mayor Maddox stated, “We are excited about bringing City Hall to the people of Tuscaloosa. Community Conversations is a great opportunity for us to talk directly to our employers and receive valuable input about their vision for a better Tuscaloosa. Community Conversations fosters an environment of information sharing and partnership which is vital to our core belief of open, efficient and effective government.”

Mayor Maddox stated about using the schools to host the event, “I want to personally thank Dr. Joyce Levey (Superintendent), the City Board of Education, Jeff Johnson (Facilities Director) and school Principals for allowing us access to their facilities. Our neighborhoods and the future of this City revolve around our schools and we thought it an appropriate venue to launch Community Conversations. I also want to thank Coca-Cola for their generosity in providing free refreshments for all Community Conversations meetings.”

Below are the dates and locations for Community Conversations 2010:

To Be Announced Later.