The Blueprint, adopted by the City of Tyler in 1997, is a plan for operating municipal government more like a business. This plan requires all City departments to be more responsive to citizens needs and deliver quality services in a cost conscious manner. It ensures all employees are quantifiably productive and accountable. Each department is audited regularly to ensure the Blueprint is being followed and employees are finding smarter, better, faster and more cost effective ways to deliver services.

The Blueprint has saved the taxpayers of Tyler more than $8.6 million in net annual operating costs and has enabled us to cut the City's property tax rate from 53 cents to 25 cents, without cutting services. A survey by the Texas Municipal League shows our property tax rate is now the lowest for all Texas cities with a population between 30,000 and 1 million residents. We are proud of that fact and will continue working hard to provide the best services at the lowest cost.

Tyler's Blueprint success story includes cost savings and service improvements in every City of Tyler Department, plus a partnership with Smith County government in the areas of technology and purchasing. This has allowed us to get better prices for government computers and equipment and improve services to the citizens. We will continue this partnership and look for new ways to cooperate with the County and other local governments to provide the best services at a lower cost to taxpayers.

The Tyler City Council and City employees remain committed to the Blueprint and its strategy for streamlining and improving local government. We will continue to update it annually and look for additional ways to operate smarter, better, faster and more cost effectively.

If you would like more information about the Blueprint, please contact the City Managers Office. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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