Council orders quarterly updates on new Office of Returning Citizens

City staff presented a three-phase plan to establish an Office of Returning Citizens and the council voted to receive quarterly written updates on the office's development.

Brenda McKenzie, director of workforce partnerships for the City of Tampa, told council the plan moves from ideation and due diligence to implementation and then evaluation. McKenzie said the office's goal is to connect residents leaving incarceration to long-term employment and wraparound services, and she cited earlier local partnerships with community groups including Abe Brown Ministries and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.

Councilman Viera moved for quarterly reports on the office's status, with the first written update to return in February 2026; Councilwoman Hertek seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

McKenzie and council members stressed that the council retains final authority over any ballot placement of charter or ordinance language; the office is intended to produce recommendations and coordinate public input and analysis, not to unilaterally place measures before voters.

Council discussion noted the high national recidivism rate referenced by staff and emphasized the local partnerships already engaged in returning-citizen work. Councilman Viera and others urged staff to provide written quarterly reports and to track implementation milestones.