Alexandria City Council has adopted five priorities to provide a cohesive framework for budget and policy decisions for each fiscal year. These priorities were first developed based upon City Council discussion at a Council Retreat held in January 2022, and then revised in early 2024.
To operationalize these values, City Manager James Parajon has directed City of Alexandria staff to provide an in-depth update on the priorities each quarter at a City Council Legislative Session. Progress reports on each of the initiatives associated with the priorities are available below and updated on a quarterly basis.
What are the 5 Council Priorities?
Community Connection
Community Connection
How do we widely connect all Alexandrians to City Government information, and that our services reflect the diverse lived experiences of our residents and businesses
- Use engagement processes, built on trusted relationships, to empower participation in decision making, with intentional outreach to historically marginalized voices in our community.
- Be accessible to all community members and excel in customer service when addressing their concerns.
- Be proactive and creative in promoting City programs, services, initiatives, and accomplishments through multi-channel approaches that are designed to attract diverse audiences.
Employee Attraction and Retention
Employee Attraction and Retention
How do we attract and retain diverse talent in the public service sector and ensure our employees feel valued?
- Provide a total compensation and benefits package, that is competitive within the public service sector.
- Grow an organizational culture, focused on leadership practices and supervisor skills, that promotes inclusivity and engagement.
- Communicate to prospective candidates why the City of Alexandria is an employer of choice and great place to work.
Housing Opportunities
Housing Opportunities
How do we increase quality housing and its availability at a range of price points?
- Provide diverse housing options at a variety of price points to support a thriving and inclusive Alexandria including for workers essential to the local and regional economy.
- Support low- and moderate- income homeowners and renters to remain in safe, healthy, accessible, affordable, and efficient homes.
- Meet Alexandria’s local and regional housing goals by leveraging City investment, policy, planning, and land use tools.
Eliminate Community Disparities
Eliminate Community Disparities
How can we better extend support to Alexandrians, especially our youth, in our efforts to eliminate social, health, and economic disparities within our communities?
- Increase use of accessible, affordable, culturally sensitive, preventive and early treatment health services and health promotion opportunities through multi-sector collaborations.
- Coordinate seamless cross-agency support services for the physical, social, and emotional well- being of youth and their families, with a specific focus on families who disproportionately experience disparate health and economic outcomes.
- Increase stability, mobility, and pathways to prosperity for Alexandrians living with low incomes.
Economic Strength
Economic Strength
How do we in increase the economic strength of the city and its residents to ensure financial stability and attract quality jobs?
- Expand the local economy by generating increased business activity and providing support for new and existing small businesses.
- Diversify and increase revenue by attracting catalytic commercial and entertainment projects that invest in and benefit the community and its workforce.
- Grow talent and opportunity within our community’s workforce by attracting employers in various sectors.
Progress Updates
The report below provides progress on Council Priority initiatives.
Council Priorities Newsletter
Each quarter, the Office of Communication and Community Engagement (OCCE) develops a newsletter highlighting a story about an initiative in each of the City Council Priorities.
Previous Editions
