Subject:
Title
Strategic Planning Process
Body
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
At its September 25, 2017 meeting, Council approved carryover funds for FY2018 that included funding for the Town to undertake a strategic planning process.
OVERVIEW:
Craig Gerhart, a local government consultant and former Prince William County executive, will be present to share with Councilmembers the basics of strategic planning, including benefits, common pitfalls, and process options. Gerhart worked with the Town’s staff leadership team last summer to put together the foundation and framework for a potential strategic plan effort. He’ll be available at this work session to provide additional information about strategic planning options and to discuss with Councilmembers the framework of the process and timeframe through which the Town wishes to undertake strategic planning as well as the appropriate roles of Council, consultant, staff, and citizens in this process. Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 6 p.m. is tentatively set aside for a Strategic Planning Session. Dinner will be provided for this proposed meeting.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that Council come to consensus as to the process and timeframe through which it wishes to undertake strategic planning in an effort to set broad objectives and possible strategies. Staff recommends that having a strong strategic plan in place will allow the Town to know what it wishes to achieve over the next approximately five years and will help determine decision-making and funding priorities. The Town’s strategic plan will provide the framework/vision through which other decisions will be filtered.