Councilmember Travis Kay introduces guiding tenets for Snowflake growth; proposes planning-focused manager role

Councilmember Travis Kay introduced a proposed set of guiding tenets for Snowflake’s growth and development at the Jan. 27 work session, framing the document as a tool to guide administration and better align day-to-day governance with long-term strategy.

Kay presented principles that included prioritizing public safety and emergency services; ensuring core infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, sidewalks); using data to set service priorities; identifying revenue sources to support town goals; reviewing and amending town code as needed; requiring an annual general-plan project update from management; exploring a commercial/industrial business park; forming committees; improving marketing for developers with statistics; gathering information on available private land to connect owners with potential businesses; and encouraging a culture of finding ways to say yes rather than defaulting to denial.

Kay said the proposal would also help the council craft clearer expectations for the town manager, recommending that the manager’s role be shifted toward about 80% planning work and 20% day-to-day tasks, and that the manager and council create lists of one-, five- and ten-year goals. The council discussed how to improve roads and the need to develop a road plan as part of that broader strategy.

The proposal was introduced for council consideration; the minutes do not record final action, adoption, or specific timelines for implementation. The Porter Road easement item was deferred to a future meeting.