Consultants present draft Lake County Strategic Plan, commissioners ask for data and water plan details

Community Solutions Innovators consultants Mark Smith and Chantal Dugied and EcoNorthwest's Scott Goodman presented a draft Lake County Strategic Plan to the Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3, 2026. Goodman said the plan "relied on a full-time Strategic Coordinator to track and implement the plan" and outlined six strategic goals; the presenters said adoption is scheduled for the board's March 3 meeting.

Commissioners and community members pressed for clarification on specific elements. Chair Barry Shullanberger and others emphasized regional coordination with groups such as SCORI, KCEDA and SCOEDD while cautioning against duplicating existing efforts. Commissioner Mark Albertson questioned the validity of Exhibit 12's employment breakdown, calling the local-government employee count "highly inflated" and asking for a further breakdown; Goodman and Smith agreed to provide additional data for the final plan. Community commenters including Paul Houret and Deanna Walls raised concerns about water resources and the importance of accurate employment figures to support housing planning.

Dugied and Goodman described Goal 3 as focusing on wastewater and groundwater protection in growth areas rather than changes to water rights; Dugied proposed a county Master Water Use Plan and a public-facing water resource page on the county website, intended to respond to small water districts that feel their views have been underheard. Vice-Chair James Williams said he would follow up with community members to verify that the draft reflected community priorities before the March adoption vote.

If adopted on March 3, 2026, the county would begin a search for a strategic coordinator and convene volunteer working groups to implement plan recommendations.