Decatur City Council to have goal setting retreat

The Decatur City Council will be meeting for a Strategic Visioning/Goal Setting Retreat on Wednesday, July 2 from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM and Thursday, July 3 from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Decatur Public Library (Madden Auditorium, 130 N. Franklin St.).  The retreat is open to the public and individuals can come and go as they please.  A public comment period will take place after council discussion on Thursday, July 3. 

The city council first developed its priority goals in 2019.  The two-day session will allow the city council to review progress on current goals and possibly revise or establish new goals.  The six priority goals approved by the council in 2023 were: Community revitalization; Grow, enhance and better prepare the local workforce; Take downtown Decatur to the next level; Select new technologies to improve municipal service delivery; Be more innovative in securing the city’s financial security; and Collaborate with others in ensuring integrated and wholistic management of city-owned open spaces.

PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON MOST OF THE GOALS

Each of the priority goals established by the council included strategies for advancing the goals.  In the past two years, most of the priority goals had some strategies that were implemented.  However, many of the strategies for each goal lack metrics that allow for an assessment of success.  This, in turn, hinders the ability of the council to make evidence-based, data-driven decisions that will fulfill the council’s vision approved in 2023 that “The city of Decatur will be identified regionally as a compassionate family-friendly community with a sustainable commitment to better physical and mental health, vibrant business districts, and a citizenry that cares for one another by creating opportunities for people to succeed.”

PLEASE SHARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES OF THE CITY

I would be interested in learning your thoughts on our current priorities, as well as your suggestions for other priorities the council should focus on. In addition, phone numbers and email addresses for each council member can be found on the Mayor and Council page of the city’s website.