City Council Strategic Priorities 2025-2029

Setting the course for the next four years

In June 2025, the East Palo Alto City Council adopted its Strategic Priorities for FY 2025–2029 and a focused Work Plan for FY 2025–2027. These priorities will guide City policies, programs, and investments over the next several years. The plan was shaped by fiscal realities, Council direction, and extensive community input.

Community Engagement
From February through May 2025, residents, stakeholders, and community leaders shared their ideas, hopes, and concerns through:

Key leader interviews and community focus groups
Pop-up events at the EPA Senior Center, Cardenas Market, YMCA, Bloomhouse Farmers Market, and Cinco de Mayo Celebration
A Community Workshop and City Council Goal-Setting Retreat on March 8 (View the March 8 Workshop & Study Session Staff Report)
A City Council Study Session on April 22 (View the April 22 Study Session Staff Report)

Community members also provided feedback through a citywide survey and virtual workshop, helping Council identify the most pressing and impactful issues for East Palo Alto.

Final Adoption

On June 17, 2025, the City Council adopted the final FY 2025–2029 Strategic Priorities and FY 2025–2027 Work Plan. These documents now serve as the City’s roadmap for delivering programs, services, and projects that respond to community needs and advance long-term goals.

The Council Priorities for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 are:

Civic Engagement: Provide diverse and inclusive opportunities for all EPA community members to participate in City meetings, have a voice in City affairs, and develop leadership skills for EPA youth.

Governance, Organizational Strength, and Fiscal Sustainability: Strengthen the City’s internal capacity, transparency, and long-term financial health by improving core operation, investing in workforce and systems, and implementing data-informed strategies to ensure effective service delivery, accountability, and fiscal resilience.

Comprehensive Housing: Increase the City’s housing stock at all income levels (from affordable to market rate), facilitate pathways to homeownership, and prevent displacement of existing residents.

Land Use, Economic, and Workforce Development: Support balanced development that attracts investment, strengthens local businesses, reduces economic leakage, and expands access to quality jobs and services that meet local needs.

Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities: Invest in the modernization and expansion of the City’s parks, recreation, and community facilities and services to increase residents’ access to open spaces and recreational opportunities.

Public Health, Safety, and Quality of Life: Implement and enforce strategies to ensure public safety, improve the livability of neighborhoods, and prepare the City for disasters and emergencies.

Public Infrastructure and Utilities: Maintain, modernize, and expand the City’s physical infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, utilities) to support existing homes and businesses, and new development.