Consultants tell Traverse City commission to shore up communication, trust before full strategic plan adoption

Jen Ferguson, senior consultant with BerryDunn, and Michelle Kennedy, manager with BerryDunn, told the Traverse City City Commission that stronger commission–management communication, clearer boundaries and improved trust would increase the chance of a successful strategic planning outcome.

Ferguson and Kennedy presented a readiness assessment based on interviews with commissioners, city management and staff. The consultants recommended a series of governance steps — including a team‑building retreat, updated commission rules (including social‑media and communications guidance), and clearer delineation of commission and city management roles — before the commission adopts and begins implementing a multi‑year strategic plan.

“Your role is to set the vision, mission and strategic goals,” Ferguson said, explaining the city commission’s policy responsibilities under the council–manager form of…