TPU is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable services while delivering an excellent customer and community experience. The utility is governed by the five-member Public Utility Board, which oversees Tacoma’s electric and water utilities and its industrial freight-switching railroad. Board members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Tacoma City Council to serve five-year terms.

The board’s guiding principles offer a long-term framework to help TPU address key issues, including securing clean hydropower, enhancing regional water supply resilience, and strengthening strategic partnerships.

Guiding Principles

Customer and Community

Customer and Community Experience: Demonstrate compassion and equity so customers and communities feel understood, valued, and empowered.

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Resource Stewardship and Sustainability

Sustainability: Advance carbon neutrality, reduce waste, and support natural resource management.

Financial Stability: Maintain responsible fiscal management to ensure fair, affordable pricing.

Resilience: Anticipate and adapt to climate, market, regulatory, and infrastructure changes and challenges.

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Employee and Culture

Work Environment and Culture: Provide a safe, healthy, and inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and recognized through open communication.

Career Development: Offer opportunities for growth, development, and advancement.

Recruitment and Hiring: Ensure fair, inclusive hiring practices that attract and retain talent representative of the communities we serve.

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Visit MyTPU.org/StrategicPlan to learn more about our 2026-2030 strategic plan.