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Council and department heads align on financial stability as top five-year priority
Summary
A strategic-planning survey presented July 21 showed both council and department heads ranked financial stability and fiscal discipline as their top five-year priorities; other recurring themes included infrastructure, workforce retention and technology modernization. Staff proposed a strategic plan with quarterly implementation reviews and public reporting.
City Manager presented consolidated survey results from council members and department heads, saying the responses were largely consistent and suggested clear priorities for the next five years.
Both groups ranked financial stability and responsible budgeting first. Council prioritized infrastructure, long-term planning, and economic development after fiscal stability; department heads emphasized workforce retention, development and succession planning, and infrastructure expansion. Staff highlighted recurring needs for better communication, technology upgrades (including GIS and AI awareness), and internal process improvements.
The manager proposed that the city develop a strategic plan tied to capital projects and create an implementation plan to be reviewed quarterly. Staff also said they would make the strategic-survey packet available online and suggested a full consultant-driven strategic session next year if the council wished a more robust process.
The session included discussion of specific operational actions such as reviewing contracts, introducing a purchasing streamlining effort, and auditing city-owned surplus property. The manager flagged an $80,000 annual subsidy the city currently absorbs for credit-card fees on utility payments as a possible cost-savings area for council consideration.
