Plumas County's Board of Supervisors convened a special strategic-planning workshop led by consultant Galen Ellis of Ellis Planning Associates to begin drafting a multi-year strategic framework, including vision, mission and values, county staff said. The workshop, attended by supervisors, department heads and line staff, was framed to produce draft statements and to align the process with the county's upcoming budget cycle.

Organizers said the workshop was meant to identify enduring elements — a North Star — that can guide departmental priorities and operational plans. Galen Ellis, who moderated the session, told attendees the exercise is intended to produce stable vision, mission and values while leaving room for shorter-term operational planning. County grant manager Zachary Gately said the board intends to circulate the workshop results for further staff and public input and to iterate drafts before formal adoption.

Workshop activities included a facilitator-led environmental scan, a 10-year visioning exercise, table-level drafting of vision statements and a planned mission‑and‑values session after lunch. Participants produced several draft vision statements during table work and then reviewed them as a group; facilitators collected those drafts for refinement and further consultation with county staff and community partners. Attendees also discussed process questions including how the county should sequence staff and community engagement and how to tie the framework to annual budgeting and performance measures.

Discussion at the workshop emphasized two process points: first, that the vision and mission language be short and usable by front-line staff, and second, that the final framework be aligned with the county’s budget and operational planning so that it informs staffing, program priorities and performance metrics. Organizers asked participants to submit additional comments by email as the drafts are revised.

The workshop produced no formal vote or ordinance; participants described the day as a working session whose product will be iterated. Staff described next steps as drafting a written summary of the workshop, circulating keyword lists and the five table drafts to county employees and then soliciting broader public input and focus groups before returning recommended language to the board for review.