The Bedford City Council unanimously approved the city’s 2025–26 strategic plan on Oct. 14, adopting a document that narrows the prior plan’s focus areas and sets a cadence for progress reporting.

City Manager Andrea Roy told council staff consolidated the previous plan’s five areas into four strategic priorities following a review and a council work session. "We've now pulled it down to 4 strategic areas," Roy said, and staff converted work-session input into initiatives placed under the appropriate strategic umbrellas.

Roy said staff will present annual updates that show projects and initiatives aligned with the strategic plan and recommended revisiting the plan every two years unless a major change warrants an earlier review. Council members affirmed the approach and asked that communications remain an organizational priority; Roy said communications work will continue under the organizational excellence category.

The council voted to approve the plan by unanimous voice vote. Staff said they will return with an annual progress update and maps of initiatives tied to the approved priorities.