City administrator outlines progress on Marshall's 2022–2024 strategic plan

City Administrator Steve Barr presented a report on progress against the city's 2022–2024 strategic plan, organized around seven focus areas: administration, communications, economic development, financial management, human resources, infrastructure and quality of life. Barr noted staff turnover and vacancies over the past three years as factors limiting progress but highlighted several completed or advanced items. "Forward Appraisal did that for us in 2023" on the citywide property revaluation, Barr said, referring to administration goals. On communications, Barr credited staff for a weekly newsletter and expanded public outreach and noted tests of public-input surveys and programming for government access channels. In economic development, he cited the Dennion Homes project (77 new units) and the creation of a new industrial site (TIF 12) and noted available funds in an affordable housing account derived from a closed TIF. On finance, Barr said the city increased its unassigned fund balance from about 20% to 34% and that bond rating outlook improved to AA3 in 2023. Human-resources accomplishments included implementing an updated compensation plan; infrastructure items completed or in progress included reconstruction of East 17th Street and planning for police department relocation with construction expected to begin in 2026. Barr also noted parks and recreation work on trails, Emerald Ash Borer response, and Braine Park improvements. He asked the council to take the report as part of preparation for a new strategic-planning process in the fall.