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Carver County board approves $8,500 contract for strategic planning consultant
Summary
The board approved hiring consultant Dave Unmacht to lead an update to the county’s strategic plan; the hire was intended to clarify board priorities ahead of budget work.
The Carver County Board of Commissioners voted to hire consultant Dave Unmacht to facilitate an update to the county’s strategic plan and approved a contract figure cited in the meeting packet.
Commissioner Anderson moved to engage Unmacht to lead the planning process; Commissioner Fahey seconded the motion. The motion carried after brief discussion about the need to set clearer strategic priorities that will guide staff and inform the budget process. “It was important to me to find someone who really had experience in the county space,” Commissioner Anderson said, adding that counties have statutory obligations and need pragmatic, implementable guidance.
County Administrator Hemsey and other board members said the timing links directly to the county’s 2026 budget preparations and an expected May retreat. Hemsey outlined that Unmacht’s proposal was approximately $8,500 and that two other consultant proposals had been considered at higher price points. “We met with Dave Unmacht and there was consensus to move forward with Mr. Unmacht,” Hemsey told the board.
The board passed the motion to retain Unmacht and directed staff to schedule one-on-one interviews between the consultant and each commissioner and to coordinate meetings with division directors. The retained consultant’s scope includes helping define the board’s priorities, producing an updated strategic plan, and delivering recommendations the board can use during the 2026 budget process.
Why it matters: Commissioners repeatedly said the county needs tighter strategic direction to guide budgeting and to prioritize programs and capital projects. Several board members described the current document as diffuse and requested clearer performance measures for staff work and county services.
Provenance: The item was introduced as agenda item 3.3 and included a staff memo and three consultant proposals; the board reviewed the materials, discussed consultant approaches and price, and then voted to approve the Unmacht contract.
