Message From the City Manager:
Strategic Plan Helps Guide City Decisions, Future |
|
A trap for local governments during difficult economic times is to focus only on short term cost cutting and a mindset that doesn’t look to the future. If the sole focus is only on surviving the current problems, a city will not take the steps necessary to towards a more prosperous future.
That is why this past year the City Commission spent considerable time prioritizing services with an eye on the future of Sturgis. The result of these efforts was a Strategic Plan developed to guide the City in the months and years to come.
This Strategic Plan is unique in that it boldly states the values of the Commission and its approach to operating the City as an organization. It is specific in the major actions to be undertaken in the near term, while providing a framework for decision making in the long term.
The key strategic values identified in the plan are Economic Vitality, Quality of Life, Best Practice Government, and Fiscal Stewardship. These value areas, detailed in the sidebar, form the core of the Plan.
From these core values come specific goals and actions that are designed to improve the City and its services in ways that align with the Commission’s stated values. |
|
Economic Vitality |
The City’s economy should continue to provide quality jobs and the tools to increase quality of life. Each development opportunity should be approached with openness. |
Best Practice Government |
The City provides a culture that promotes efficient and effective delivery of services with constant attention to improvement. Citizen input is encouraged and utilized. |
Quality of Life |
The City places high value on developing Sturgis as a community with a unique sense of place and numerous cultural and recreational opportunities. |
Fiscal Stewardship |
The City is committed to providing quality services at the lowest taxes practical, prudently managing City resources, and maintaining a stable economic environment. |
|
These actions touch on a variety of issues such as redeveloping vacant land, creating and maintaining vibrant neighborhoods, maintaining a high standard of financial performance, and effectively communicating with the citizenry, to name a few.
As we enter a new calendar year and the prospect of another new budget cycle on the horizon, this strategic plan will continue to be reviewed and evaluated. As citizen input is always welcome, I encourage everyone to go online to our website and take time to read the six-page plan and then communicate your thoughts either to Commissioners or myself.
Michael L. Hughes
City Manager |
