Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board hold a special workshop to discuss updates to the Strategic Plan, most recently adopted by the Board on March 22, 2022, and direct staff on the next steps related to the Strategic Plan update.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In 2014 the County began the process of developing a Countywide Strategic Plan, which was subsequently completed in 2016. During that process, the County engaged in extensive community outreach, which included a 'Citizen Engagement Survey.' As a result of those efforts, the Strategic Plan included five overarching goals: (1) Public Safety, (2) Infrastructure, (3) Good Governance, (4) Economic Development, and (5) Healthy Communities. Normal practice is to develop a strategic plan for an anticipated period of three to five years and to make necessary updates during that time frame. Consistent with that practice, from 2016 to 2019 the Board periodically received updates on the progress being made relative to each goal.
Subsequently, in 2019 the County conducted a major update of the Strategic Plan that included obtaining feedback from many other partners and stakeholders, including County Department Heads and management staff, County Commissions/Committees, fire districts and residents of El Dorado County. While the Mission, Vision, Core Values and Goals remained the same, the County shifted from having very specific tasks and timelines to be completed to a more strategic process of identifying themes and priorities with the intent that departments will focus their internal priorities around the County's overall Strategic Plan.
In 2020 the entire world was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this resulted in the County having to manage a variety of challenges and priorities that distracted from working on strategic plan priorities. In this regard, all County staff should be commended for their efforts, including all staff that directly assisted with responding to the emergency but also all those staff who ensured other essential county operations and services continued to be provided to our community. Even in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the County made significant progress in accomplishing the goals of the Strategic Plan.
In 2021 the County continued to manage the daily challenges and priorities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also dealt with the Caldor Fire disaster that ignited in August. The fire resulted in large-scale evacuations including a large number of County staff. Subsequently, the Governor declared a state of emergency for El Dorado County. Even while faced with these two significant challenges, staff presented a review of the Strategic Plan and continued to make significant progress towards accomplishing the Strategic Plan goals, and meeting the needs of our community.
In 2022 the Board reviewed the Strategic Plan and made the following changes:
- Core Values : Added Fiscal Responsibility
- Good Governance : Added item #7 related to a positive governance culture
- Healthy Communities : Added item #7 related to fire-adapted communities
- Infrastructure: Added Tahoe Transportation District to item #5, and added item #7 related to renewable energy sources
- Public Safety: Added housing needs to item #3, and added item #6 related to juvenile justice.
The County is now entering year five of the current Strategic Plan. The County is going through a large transition with the retirement of the Chief Administrative Officer. The decision was made to hire a consultant to help with an update to the Countywide Strategic Plan. Initial steps in this process included interviewing department heads and board members about the County organization, its culture, what is does well and recommended focus areas.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board can choose not to hold a Strategic Plan workshop and adopt the Strategic Plan with no changes.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar Number 14-1322 (see multiple versions associated with this item) - Development of the Strategic Plan
Legistar Number 19-0885 - Update to Strategic Plan on June 11, 2019
Legistar Number 21-0140 - Update to the Strategic Plan on March 16, 2021
Legistar Number 22-0461 - Update to the Strategic Plan on March 22, 2022
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
All County Departments
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are no costs or financial impacts associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety, Good Governance, Economic Development, Infrastructure and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Laura Schwartz
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer