Bertie County reviews work-plan style strategic document; commissioners request consolidated draft and budget figures

Robin Payne, the contracted strategic-plan consultant, presented a working, project-based strategic plan the county can use as an operational tool. Payne said the document is not a static strategic statement but a living work plan with actions, responsibilities and benchmarks to guide departmental work and grant-seeking.

"It's a working document," Payne said, describing the plan as a tool for the county manager’s office and department heads to track projects and update progress in real time. She presented three core focus areas — organizational excellence, citizen needs and growth — and proposed features including a county web portal to enable online payments and department updates and a digital performance platform (ClearGov) she estimated would cost about $9,500 per year plus a $2,700 startup fee.

Commissioners debated the level of detail they wanted: some asked for a high-level strategic statement, others preferred the work‑plan approach. Multiple commissioners asked Payne and staff to consolidate the notes into a single draft strategic plan and to provide associated year‑one budget figures and a side‑by‑side budget worksheet so the board can evaluate priorities and funding tradeoffs. Payne agreed to produce a consolidated draft and to share a working file so commissioners can comment before the next meeting.