UCDD Creating New Strategic Plan

UCDD is in the preliminary stages of creating a new strategic plan.

Executive Director Mark Farley said the future outlook will serve as a road map for how departments can accomplish their goals.

“We did one five years ago,” Farley said. “We wanted to go back through, and instead of looking five years down the road, we’ve sort have looked at it for a shorter term perspective for this next strategic plan, so we are looking at it through 2022. And then, hopefully we’ll go back and start reevaluating it every other year.”

Farley said UCDD decided to keep the plan short term as needs continuously change for communities. Farley said technology additions to stream line services for the aging department and creating a best practice guide for new government officials are two ideas being explored now.

“One of the things we are very excited in our community development program is developing a best practice guide,” Farley said. “That is one of our goals to create a best practice guide for our mayors for when they come to office. We are getting ready in a couple years to have another round of elections. We know with every round of elections new officials come on board.”

Farley said Time of completion varies as each department creates their own objectives. Farley said more goals are expected to be added as work continues.

“Each one of the goals that we have listed have their own time table,” Farley said. “Some are more short term that lasts six to eight months. Some of them will be a little longer lasting and run until 2022. If one of our department goals is met, we will come up with another new goal that we will plug into its place.”

Farley said he will work monthly with department heads in the process of creation.