HomeMy WebLinkAboutStrategic Planning in Local Government-1994 Strategic Planning in
Local Government
0
Tri-County League of Cities
July 21 , 1994
Robert B. Denhardt
Department of Public Administration
University of Central Florida
Strategy
1 ) Defines the relationship of the City to
its environment
2) Gives guidances to policy-making and
administrative operations on an on-
going basis .
Military Strategy
To deploy one' s own forces so as
to impose upon the enemy the
time , place , and conditions for
fighting preferred by oneself .
Reasons to engage in planning :
• to give clarity and direction to the city
• to help choose from among competing
goals and activities
• to cope with unexpected shifts in the
environment
• to give focus to the work of the city
staff
And . . . to sort out the truly vital
from the merely very important!
Content of Strategic Planning
Statement of Mission and Philosophy
Environmental Opportunities and
Constraints
Organizational Strengths and
Weaknesses
Strategic Alternatives
A Statement of Vision
A statement of vision speaks to the
future . It expresses our best aspirations
for the city . A statement of vision , while
based on rational analysis, ultimately
expresses the intuitive, creative,
subjective, entrepreneurial sense of the
city' s leadership . It provides direction ,
clarifies key values, and energizes people
throughout the city and its government .
Goals , Objectives, and Activities
Goals or Statement of long-range
Priorities : outcome that a program is
intended to achieve; multi-year,
general .
Objective : Measurable outcome of an
activity intended to lead to goal
achievement; one-year,
specific .
Activity: Set of action steps designed to
accomplish something specific
within a particular time period .
. 1
City of Eustis
Vision Statement
The future of the City of Eustis depends on a partnership among citizens, businesses, and
commercial establishments, churches and civic organizations,elected officials, and city employees.
Working together, we can build on the proud heritage of our community and point toward even
brighter tomorrows.
As we look to the future,we see Eustis as a pleasant and attractive city,one in which residents and
visitors alike will experience a vibrant downtown area joined with a picturesque and enjoyable
lakefront. But, beyond downtown, we see Eustis as a well-balanced community, boasting a rich
mix of businesses and residential neighborhoods, as well as sufficient religious, cultural and
recreational activities to allow us to grow and mature together as individuals and as a community.
We take enormous pride in our community and hope to build a sense of caring and sharing that will
bring all the citizens of Eustis together to face our common future. Specifically, our pride embraces
several values that will guide our work:
We :ue proud of our rich history and will seek to recognize and preserve our heritage and
traditions. At the same time, we want to build a progressive and future-oriented community,
one able to take full advantage of the many opportunities we are presented. For example, we
are proud of the general prosperity of our area, but we recognize that strong efforts must be
made to attract and retain businesses and that, in our decision-making, we must be attentive
to all groups in the city.
We are proud of the attractiveness of our city and will seeks to capitalize on the natural charm
of our lakeside location. As we make every effort to create a city that is safe,clear, and
inviting to all, we will also be especially attentive to developing parks and green areas that
will enhance the natural beauty of our area. We also value our community's traditional
strengths in the arts and music and we will continue to celebrate that work through
appropriate festivals and other events.
We are proud of the diversity of our community. We recognize that we differ in age, in
income, and in ethnicity; yet we see diversity as a strength and want to make sure that we are
sensitive to the needs of all and that all persons in the community share in the city's growth
and development.
We are proud of the fact that our city provides excellent basic city services as well as cultural
and recreational opportunities unmatched in the surrounding area. Both as elected officials
and employees of the city, we pledge to make our city even more open, responsive, and
• "customer friendly" and to constantly strive to improve the professionalism, the quality, and
the productivity of our city government.
Finally, and most of all, we are proud of the friendly and cooperative spirit of the families of
Eustis and we recognize that preserving the sense of conununity that exists in our town will
be, in the long run, the one factor that most distinguishes the City of Eustis from other cities
in this area and around the nation. We hope that together we can be involved in building not
only a city, but a true community!
Robert B. Denhardt is Professor of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida. He
is a recent past-president of the American Society for Public Administration and a fellow of the
National Academy of Public Administration. Dr. Denhardt, who taught at the Universities of
Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri before coining to UCF, is the author of ten books and over fitly
articles on local government and public management. In Missouri, he was appointed Chair of the
Governor's Advisory Council on productivity by Governor Kit Bond and was reappointed by
Governor John Ashcroft. Dr. Denhardt is a native of Kentucky and a better than average
bluegrass musician!
For further information, please contact Dr. Denhardt at the Department of Public Administration,
University of Central Florida, Orlando 82316. (407) 823-2604