Garner launches strategic‑plan refresh to set five‑year priorities; public engagement planned

Town staff outlined a framework for a 2026 strategic‑plan refresh, saying the update will shape budgets, clarify priorities and include substantial public engagement.

Assistant Town Manager Matt Pullen presented the timeline and process, telling council that the effort will collect background documents, conduct multiple SOAR analyses (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results), re‑survey the community and convene a strategic planning committee composed of council, staff and citizen representatives. Pullen said the last plan dated to 2016 and that municipal strategic plans are typically five‑year documents rather than the older 10‑year approach.

Staff plans to repeat the National Community Survey — a community‑opinion benchmark used in 2024 — later this year and use that data in early‑2026 engagement. Pullen said the update will aim to produce five to seven SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time‑bound) strategic priorities and that the manager’s office will propose a monitoring and accountability system so the plan does not “sit on a shelf.”

Councilmembers praised the approach and stressed two recurring challenges: obtaining broad public and partner engagement (schools, NCDOT and other government partners) and establishing a system to monitor progress. Several councilmembers urged candid performance measurement and frequent reporting so the plan can meaningfully guide the CIP and policy decisions.

Pullen said staff will draft the refresh, engage communications for rollout, and seek council adoption in 2026. No formal council action was required at the Oct. 7 meeting.