In the Children's book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, there is a somewhat frustrating exchange (at least to Alice) between Alice and the Cheshire Cat:
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don't much care where--" said Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.
"--so long as I get SOMEWHERE," Alice added as an explanation.
"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."
I'm sure that exchange was a bit frustrating for Alice, but it sums up perfectly why the City of Fountain is preparing to take on the task of Strategic Planning for our organization. Unfortunately, the refrain "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there" sums up the Cheshire Cat conversation and the direction that too many governmental organizations take today. Successful organizations plan, organize, and direct their operations with strategic focus as they provide whatever product or service that their consumer requires.
Conversely, since 2008 the City of Fountain has had a Strategic Plan that has provided direction to the City Council and to staff. However, after 9 years that Strategic Plan has become stale and needs refreshing. As we enter 2018, the City is planning on embarking on a new Visioning and Strategic Planning process that improves upon the planning process that we have used in the past.
With this new plan, we are anticipating a greater degree of focus on priority items that the City Council identifies, as well as a more defined feedback loop to help communicate to the Council and the citizens as to the status of each of those strategic priorities. Finally, it will still be based on the concept of simplicity. . . not creating something that is so overly complex that it loses value to our Council, our staff, or our citizens.
As we continue on this path, we will be providing several different ways for you to engage in the process and provide your feedback. Please stay tuned to this website and our social media accounts to get a better sense of how your voice can be heard. I would encourage you to get involved and to help us find the right path for Fountain.