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Troutman council sets timeline to update comprehensive plan, pursue Town Hall options and boost employee retention
Summary
Council directed staff to begin a comprehensive‑plan update (steering committee, consultant‑led engagement), asked the manager to return Town Hall/Keystone information, and supported HR work on retention metrics and software; staff will present concrete SMART goals and check‑ins in coming weeks.
The Troutman Town Council used its Feb. 26 strategic retreat to clarify next steps for a comprehensive plan update, to request options for Town Hall and to instruct staff to pursue HR measures aimed at reducing turnover.
Planning Director Andrew Ventresca outlined the comprehensive‑plan approach: establish a steering committee, run multiple consultant-led community engagement events to capture resident priorities, and translate that input into a guiding plan for land use, wastewater, parks and related infrastructure. Council emphasized outreach and public awareness so residents understand how participation will shape long‑term decisions.
Town Manager Justin Longino told council that information from the architects is still pending and that discussion of the Town Hall/Keystone issue would be delayed until those details are available; he said he would follow up with staff and return recommendations in the coming week. On human-resources topics, HR Director Terrence Smyre said he is reviewing HR software options to support retention metrics, employee feedback and goal setting; discussion of COLA and merit increases was noted for the upcoming budget retreat.
Council agreed to schedule progress check‑ins at least every six months and asked staff to return draft SMART goals that align with the retreat's priorities. Several items were placed in the 'parking lot' for later discussion (amphitheater, parks comprehensive plan, bicycle‑share, MLK Breakfast revisions and an ICATS presentation).
Next steps: Ventresca to lead formation of a steering committee and staff to plan public engagement events; Longino to report on Town Hall/Keystone options when architect information is available; Smyre to report back on HR software recommendations and retention metrics.
