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City administrator proposes fall start to multi-year strategic planning process
Summary
City Administrator Mark proposed launching a strategic planning process this fall to produce a three- to five-year plan, combining staff-led work with staged public engagement and possible outside facilitation; council provided general endorsement and asked staff to gather consultant pricing and public input options.
City Administrator Mark outlined a timeline for a strategic planning process that would begin in the fall, incorporate staff preparation through January, and aim for public engagement in spring with an eventual multi-year strategic plan.
Mark said starting in the fall allows new hires to onboard and staff to prepare background material; he suggested a retreat or workshop in October after the preliminary budget is adopted to focus council discussion. He emphasized a balance between 'asking the public what they want' and presenting draft options so residents have meaningful choices.
Mark said he is "50–50" on hiring an outside facilitator: a consultant can ease staff workload and facilitate candid discussion, but he wants staff to retain substantial ownership of the process. Council members indicated openness to a facilitator or to tapping a neighboring city administrator for a lower-cost option and supported a mix of pre- and post-draft public engagement (surveys and targeted outreach).
Council provided enough direction to proceed with the schedule and asked staff to return with consultant pricing and engagement specifics.
