Gig Harbor council retreats on strategic priorities, asks staff to rework ranked list

Gig Harbor — City council members spent a large portion of their Feb. 28 retreat reviewing the council’s strategic plan and whether the list of priorities should remain ranked. After more than an hour of discussion, members asked staff to prepare a revised format that treats core, ongoing functions as “foundational” and lists other priorities without strict numerical ordering.

The mayor opened the session by reminding council to focus on strategy rather than tactics, and to keep the day’s work at a high-level so staff can later develop the tactics. Council members revisited a six-item priorities list adopted during the last plan update: (1) fostering a healthy city organization, (2) municipal services/facilities/budget transparency, (3) preserving small‑town character and historic resources, (4) environmental stewardship and sustainability, (5) enhancing the local economy and downtown vitality, and (6) inclusive community and public safety.

Some members said the council’s successful progress on staffing and internal organizational health means those items could be recast as permanent, foundational obligations rather than ranked priorities. Several councilors argued the numeric ranking had limited value for daily staff work assignments and that a non-ranked or “high/medium/low” approach might give staff more flexibility.

Others urged retaining rankings because they help the executive team decide where limited staff capacity and budget should be directed when items compete — for example, parking and the climate action plan. Staff said rankings and the strategic plan are used when preparing the biennial budget and work plans, but that council direction, biweekly updates and one‑on‑one briefings also affect staff priorities.

Outcome and next steps

Council did not take a formal vote. By consensus the mayor and staff will present a revised single‑page strategic plan that: (a) separates “foundational” items (ongoing core functions) from action priorities, and (b) removes strict numeric ranking for the remaining priorities or offers an alternative (e.g., randomized order or high/medium/low). Staff will return the revised layout and proposed communications materials for council review at a future meeting.

Why it matters

The strategic plan guides what the city asks staff to pursue and how the city publicly explains its priorities. Council members emphasized wanting clarity for residents and staff while avoiding unnecessary tactical direction that would overburden city employees.

Ending

Councilors stressed annual check‑ins and recommended that the executive team review the revised plan before it is published, and that the city’s new communications director help package the plan for public distribution.