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County manager's office to lead Pender County strategic-plan process; staff-led steering committee proposed
Summary
Sarah Fulton of the County Manager's Office outlined a staff-led strategic-plan process to develop mission, vision and priorities for Pender County, proposing a steering committee of department heads, multiple public input points and a goal to complete the plan by year-end without hiring a consultant.
Sarah Fulton, with the County Manager's Office, presented an outline of a Pender County strategic-plan process on Jan. 21, proposing a staff-led approach rather than hiring an outside consultant. "A strategic plan is a deliberate effort to decide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it," Fulton said as she described the planned steps: forming a steering committee, developing mission/vision/values, conducting a SWOT (strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats) analysis, prioritizing up to five strategic goals and then creating implementation strategies with time lines and metrics.
Fulton told commissioners the steering committee will include the county manager, assistant county manager, finance director, IT director, assistant HR director and the planning director. She said she plans not to request consultant funding and expects to chair the effort, with subcommittees formed to address priority areas. "This isn't something we can sit down and write in one day if we really want a quality plan. My goal is to complete this plan by the end of the year," Fulton said.
Board reaction and next steps Commissioners asked several procedural questions: how long the process will take (Fulton said about 12 months depending on complexity), how many priorities should be selected (she suggested five to six) and whether the board would see sample mission/vision/value statements for refinement. Fulton said the steering committee will return with draft mission/vision/value options and that the process will include public and staff feedback points. Fulton also said she will provide Gantt-chart style timelines on request.
Cost and staffing Fulton emphasized the process will be supported with existing staff time and departmental participation rather than a consultant contract; she said she will spearhead the effort alongside the steering committee. Commissioners expressed support for a staff-led process while asking the office to return with specific dates and points for board review.
Ending Fulton said the first steering-committee meeting is expected the week after the Jan. 21 meeting (weather permitting) and that the steering committee will report back to the board with mission/vision/value options and an implementation timeline for board direction.
