Tacoma City Council Passes ‘Emerging Leader’ Ordinance to Enhance Youth Participation in Government
Washingtoner/10306520

~ On October 7, 2025, the Tacoma City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that aims to empower and involve the city's youth in decision-making processes. The new policy, known as Ordinance 29056, will restructure and enhance existing Committee, Board, and Commission (CBC) youth and student positions into Emerging Leader positions.

The ordinance was sponsored by District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh, with co-sponsors At-Large Council Member Olgy Diaz and District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge. According to Council Member Rumbaugh, involving young people in local government is crucial for building a better future for the city.

"We cannot build the future of our city without the energy, passion, and perspective of our youth," said Council Member Rumbaugh. "The reality is that youth have not always had clear access or encouragement to serve on boards and commissions. This proposal opens doors and creates real opportunities for youth leadership and professional growth."

Under this new policy, individuals between the ages of 16 to 24 will be eligible for Emerging Leader positions. The ordinance also aligns appointment processes and requirements for all CBC youth seats to reduce confusion in the application process, increase recruitment and retention for these positions, and streamline work.

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Council Member Diaz emphasized the importance of engaging young people early on in their lives to instill a spirit of service. "This enhanced focus on incorporating youth voices into City work will not just change the relationship youth have with government; it will change how they build community," she said.

Council Member Sadalge also expressed his support for the ordinance, highlighting his own experiences with young people in his district. "My outreach this year with young people...really reinforced how much insight they have and how clearly they understand their world," he said. "As they begin taking on new roles in their communities...it is important that we create opportunities for emerging leaders to participate in local decision-making."

In addition to creating these new positions, the ordinance also directs the City Manager to leverage existing partnerships and resources to recruit and support Emerging Leaders. The policy is set to be implemented in 2026.

The Tacoma City Council hopes that this new policy will not only give young people a meaningful first step into self-governance but also help build a more inclusive and representative civic process. With the support of the council and city officials, the future looks bright for Tacoma's emerging leaders.

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