The Office of Citizen Assistance (703-838-4800 or TTY 703-838-5056) provides citizens with an easily accessible point of contact within City government.

The Office responds to individual citizen requests for information or complaints about City services and strives to make local government more responsive to the needs of citizens. It maintains the public information center for the City and stocks all city publications. The Office also processes all requests for materials and documents under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and includes the following additional staff functions:

1. Consumer Affairs (703-838-4350) investigates and mediates citizen complaints alleging unfair, fraudulent, or dangerous business practices and works to prevent unfair trade practices through educating the community.
    
2. Cable Television (703-838-4533) is responsible for the day-to-day regulation of cable television in the City. It monitors cable operator performance in meeting the requirements as outlined in the franchise agreement and the City Code, resolves subscribers' complaints, and develops programming for the government access channel. (Local origination/community programs appear on Channel 69. Meetings of City Council, the School Board, Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals are shown on Channel 70. See the current cablecast schedule for details.)
   
   In addition, the Office conducts evaluations of the cable system and prepares an annual report for the City Council. It also responds to frequently asked questions about Verizon FiOS.
    
3. Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions (703-838-4691) provides administrative staff for Council-appointed boards, committees, and commissions; establishes and reviews uniform procedures and formats for the preparation of the attendance records, annual and other reports, and minutes of committees; assists, as requested, a committee in preparing its budget; and maintains and publishes, on a semi-annual basis, a roster of committee members. See the following for more information:
    
   • Roster of Alexandria Boards & Commissions
   • Boards & Commissions Calendar
   • Boards & Commissions Vacancies
   • Boards & Commissions Application Form