First Tier Suburbs Council Strategic Plan

Who We Are

We, the First Tier Suburbs Council (FTS), represent cities and towns outside of central cities and inside the ring of developing suburbs and rural areas. We share unique challenges and strengths that should be included in national, state and regional policy discussions. We are diverse with respect to size, demographic characteristics, age and history, resources and governmental structure. 

Why We Exist

With a unified voice, we raise the visibility of first tier suburbs.  We articulate our unique challenges and strengths, advocate within the National League of Cities (NLC) the issues of importance to our communities and encourage NLC to be a vehicle to advance these issues.  We are a resource to and provide a “home” for first tier suburban officials within NLC.

What We Want to Accomplish

1. To be recognized as the advocate and leader for first tier suburbs by facilitating discussions, partnering with others and making our voices and concerns known at a national level

2. To identify, share and learn from others’ experiences and innovations relating to governance and service delivery

3. To promote the participation of a diverse group of municipal officials from first tier suburbs as active NLC members

4. To strengthen NLC by supporting priority issues, which are relevant to first tier suburbs

5. To build a body of knowledge about first tier suburbs

How We Will Accomplish Our Goals

1. More effective marketing of First Tier Suburbs Council at conferences, to state municipal leagues, to other NLC groups, and to the NLC membership at large (i.e., branding communications, flyers, League Letter newsletter)

2. Enhance first tier suburban regional networks

3. Strengthen the accessibility, visibility and content of resources

4. Summarize and disseminate accomplishments on an annual basis

5. Ensure first tier suburbs’ perspective in NLC program planning, policy development and advocacy

6. Identify, document and share successful practices in first tier suburbs

7. Identify research needs and bring them to the attention of appropriate organizations

Updated and adopted May 2008