Mayor and Council are set to solidfy the path for Red Deer’s future next week.
At Monday’s council meeting, Red Deer’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan will be examined by council.
The Strategic Plan outlines Council’s priorities and direction for The City during the course of Council’s term.
“We are proud of our innovative and collaborative approach to developing the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. This plan is truly the result of good process and listening to citizens who contributed through the Shape your Red Deer public participation that took place this spring,” said Mayor Ken Johnston.
“Our plan is a blueprint for the important work The City of Red Deer undertakes for the benefit of the entire community; this visioning allows us to make decisions that are not only right for our citizens today, but for years to come so we can become the community we all aspire to be.”
According to a release, key principles that will guide the city include respect, new ways of doing, future-focused, citizen-centric service and financial sustainability. The plan also includes three focus areas with outcomes to be achieved by 2026. That includes being a thriving city, community health and wellbeing, as well as a connected and engaged city.
“The strategic planning process doesn’t end once developed and adopted by Council. Each department and division will be aligning their service delivery to the Strategic Plan,” said Tara Lodewyk, City Manager. “We will regularly report on our progress towards achieving each outcome in public and visible ways.”
In the release, the city noted that the development process begins every four years, following the municipal election and sets the direction for the organization for the duration of a Council’s term. Once approved, the Strategic Plan provides the foundation for many of the city’s decisions, including financial resource allocation through the upcoming budget process.