Committee recommends 2027–28 strategic goals, schedules adoption for Sept. 14

Mayor Scook called the Committee of the Whole to order and the body moved to recommend adoption of the 2027'28 strategic goals for council consideration on Sept. 14, 2026. Council President Melissa Cheatham moved the main motion to recommend the package as revised by goal-area committees; the motion carried unanimously after committee debate.

The goals package included six goal areas with committee edits. Council members discussed specific wording changes: Goal 1 was labeled "safe and healthy community," Goal 3 (infrastructure and mobility) added language to "create a comprehensive mobility implementation strategy," and Goal 5 replaced "job centers" with "employment opportunities." Gina, speaking for staff, said the language in committee reflected recommended clarifications and that most committees had no recommended budget changes.

The meeting recorded two amendments during floor debate. An amendment to remove the mobility item (item 5) was defeated by hand count, leaving the mobility language in the goals. The committee then approved the overall motion to recommend the goals to the full council; the recommendation will return to council for final action and a public adoption hearing on Sept. 14.

"I think what this does is it is an expression from the council of support for the city manager to make these investments in mobility, when she sees fit and as budget allows," Council member Logan said during debate in support of keeping the mobility staffing language. Gina confirmed staff would consider competing staffing requests during the budget process and that any position addition would be balanced with other priorities.

The committee's recommendation now goes to the full City Council for a public hearing and final vote on the scheduled adoption date.