Board and staff fine‑tune DPU mission, vision and values; aim to return plan for approval

At the Sept. 3 meeting DPU management and facilitator Kathy Darwin reviewed edits to the department’s strategic plan developed during an Aug. 20 session and presented recommended wording changes for the mission, vision and values.

Key language: The management team recommended the mission read, in part, to "provide safe, reliable, economical, and environmentally responsible utility services." For vision, staff proposed "continually earn community trust through exceptional utility services." Kathy Darwin explained the edits were meant to be concise, aspirational, and memorable for the workforce.

Board discussion focused on connotations. Chair Gibson expressed concern that "earn community trust" may imply the utility does not already have public trust. Several members argued "continually earn" or wording like "maintain" captures both current strengths and the idea of ongoing attention. Member Nockley and others suggested adding the adverb "continually;" the management team reported broad agreement to that phrasing and to elevating safety as the top value and replacing "organizational responsibility" with "ethical behavior."

Why it matters: The plan will guide DPU priorities, communications and workforce expectations. Board members emphasized brevity for mission/vision statements while preserving meaning, and directed staff to return a final draft for approval at the next meeting.

Quote: "You can lose community trust quickly, but you always have to earn it," a management team member said during the discussion; Chair Gibson favored keeping wording that does not imply the utility lacks trust now.

Next steps: Staff will incorporate the minor edits (including adding 'continually' before 'earn') and bring the strategic plan back to the board for approval; no formal vote was taken Sept. 3.