The Town of Vermilion has outlined its strategic plan for for council term, setting out pillars of community, infrastructure, economy and relationships.
Council accepted the strategic plan at the Feb. 17 regular council meeting.
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Council and administration met with Civic Excellence in January to undertake a facilitated strategic planning session for the development of the town’s new strategic plan. The session focused on establishing council’s priorities, confirming long-term goals, and identifying key strategic initiatives to guide the municipality over the next four years.
Mayor Robert Snow says this was a good opportunity to come together with administration.
“I know if we go to our values, collaboration, respect, being realistic and transparent, it was a good start to see administration and council working in those values,” he said.
The plan aims to set a clear direction for council over its term.
“Our vision is to be an engaged and neighbourly community where people feel proud to live,” said Snow. “And where essential needs are supported here, locally.”
Looking toward their pillar of infrastructure, they want to promote a more diverse housing model.
“This is important because one housing model doesn’t meet every resident’s needs,” he said.
“We want to make sure everyone has a home.”
They also plan to invest in recreational opportunities to enable people to remain active and connected. The town’s goal is also to strengthen their emergency preparedness, something they’ve already been working on through their bylaws.
Maintaining infrastructure and long-term planning are also two key points the town is focused on.
“We believe it’s important to foster a visitor economy in our community as well,” said Snow, noting they plan to do this through partnership with local organizations.
He was happy with how the community was represented in this strategic plan.
“I can speak very openly that each member of council represented our community in this strategic plan. They didn’t just bring their ideas and concepts. They came with what’s best for our community,” he said.
The entire strategic plan will be available for viewing on the town’s website.
“It will be on our website, available for the public,” said Town of Vermilion CAO Shannon Harrower, explaining physical copies are not in the budget.
She says the town will be able to utilize the strategic plan as part of the next annual report.
“We’re preparing an annual report, so the last strategic plan was a bit more project focused,” said Harrower.
“What we intend to do, in next year’s annual report, we’ll be able to grab all of the different pillars that we’re working under and align those with projects to show the community how council delivered on their strategic plan.”
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