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Supervisors review draft vision, mission and guiding principles for Westmoreland County strategic plan
Summary
Board members reviewed draft vision and mission statements and suggested priorities including accessible health care, environmental stewardship and affordable housing.
County staff presented draft vision and mission language and a set of proposed guiding principles for a Westmoreland County strategic plan at the board's work session and asked supervisors for direction on priorities.
The draft vision offered by staff described a future that "blends our rich historical heritage with sustainable growth while preserving our agricultural roots and natural coastal beauty," and staff provided extended language covering historic preservation, environmental stewardship, agricultural heritage, quality of life, balanced growth, community spirit, economic vitality and education.
Supervisors responded with endorsements and edits. Several members said the draft generally "resonates". Multiple supervisors singled out accessible health care as a priority to add explicitly to the mission, and one suggested expanding environmental stewardship language to mention "watersheds and creeks" in addition to the Potomac and Rappahannock shorelines to reflect local drainage and Chesapeake Bay connections. Board members also suggested explicitly adding affordable housing and attention to services for a growing senior population as potential priorities.
Staff said the next steps are to prioritize the draft goals, develop measurable objectives and a timeline, and conduct public outreach and surveys to collect resident input. Staff also proposed a public-facing tagline for county identity and asked board members to consider short, memorable phrases such as "Birthplace of Presidents" or similar local brand language.
No formal decisions were taken at the work session; staff said the prioritization and goal-setting phase will follow and be incorporated into later drafts of the strategic plan.
