Baker Tilly Outlines 10 Year Strategic Plan Approach for DeSoto City Council

The DeSoto City Council meeting on September 2, 2025, focused on the development of a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan, presented by Baker Tilly, a consulting firm specializing in public sector practices. The meeting highlighted the importance of a data-driven and community-focused approach to ensure the city’s future resilience and sustainability.

Baker Tilly's representative outlined a four-phase strategy for the planning process: Define, Discover, Develop, and Deploy. The Define phase aims to align the project team and city leaders on the goals of the strategic plan. The Discover phase will involve extensive data gathering through surveys and public engagement sessions to capture community input. The Develop phase will consist of workshops to create the strategic plan, while the Deploy phase will focus on implementing the plan effectively.

Council members raised several questions regarding community engagement, the incorporation of previous strategic plans, and the project’s budget. Concerns were expressed about the selection of stakeholders for community engagement and how the previous plan's successes would be integrated into the new strategy. Baker Tilly clarified that community input would be prioritized and that previous plans would serve as a foundation for the new strategy.

Regarding budget discrepancies, the council noted a proposed cost of $77,000, which was negotiated down from an initial estimate of $87,000. Baker Tilly assured the council that the quality of service would remain unchanged despite the reduced fee.

The council also discussed the timeline for the project, emphasizing the need for flexibility in case of unforeseen events that could impact the schedule. Baker Tilly committed to maintaining transparency throughout the process, ensuring that council members would be involved at every stage.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the city’s commitment to a forward-looking strategic plan that integrates various community elements, including parks, infrastructure, and economic development, into a cohesive vision for DeSoto's future. The council expressed optimism about the potential of a 10-year plan to foster creativity and long-term planning, setting the stage for a more resilient community.