Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Strategic Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Raytown board approves consultant-led strategic planning process after survey, staff-inclusion debate
Summary
The Raytown Board of Aldermen voted to direct consultant Steven Arbo to design and lead a strategic planning process that will reframe goals established in 2023 and incorporate staff input after a low-response follow-up survey and robust discussion about operational priorities.
The Raytown Board of Aldermen voted Sept. 2 to initiate a consultant-led strategic planning process aimed at updating the city’s long-term goals and priorities. Consultant Steven Arbo told the board he had interviewed aldermen and staff, summarized 32 ideas into seven themes and proposed a half-day workshop to set a new strategic direction.
Arbo, of Arbo Consulting, said his review built on the board’s June 2023 goal-setting retreat and a 2024 assessment of progress in four key performance areas: neighborhood revitalization, infrastructure, economic development and public safety. He told aldermen the follow-up survey produced six responses and that he had “elevated those ideas into 7 general themes” and wanted to use that material as the basis for a new process.
Board members debated whether to keep operational items such as traffic calming and sidewalk programs on the table. Alderman Walters urged that “traffic calming” and specific enforcement or speed bumps not be sidelined as purely operational issues; several aldermen and Arbo said staff should be included early to identify what is already underway or achievable within budget.
Alderman Hayden moved to “conduct a strategic planning process to establish new goals,” and Alderman Garza seconded. The motion was clarified on the record to direct Arbo to develop and lead the process; Miss Henry called the roll and the mayor announced the motion carries.
The board did not set firm dates in the meeting. Arbo said the process would include staff leadership and a half-day workshop with elected officials and be followed by a formal adoption of the resulting plan at a subsequent Board of Aldermen meeting. The board’s action directs staff and the consultant to return with specifics for scheduling and next steps.
The decision follows aldermen’s concerns that some 2023 operational goals have not been completed and a desire to balance day-to-day municipal responsibilities with longer-term planning for economic development and capital projects. The board emphasized including department heads so staff capacity and budget constraints can be assessed during planning.
The board’s motion and roll-call adoption were recorded during the meeting.
