Thompson

Marshalltown city councilors have approved the city’s mission statement and a list of community strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

The mission statement and list are central to the city’s strategic plan which is a work in progress.

Strategic planning is done annually by the city and is a staple in the business world.

New at-large councilor Gary Thompson likened the planning process to making a good roadmap for the city.

“It provides guidance for department heads to know where they should be spending their time and resources as one benefit,” he said.

Thompson knows the pros and cons of strategic planning.

He owned and managed a small business for a number of years, and also worked for the local Lennox Industries — where strategic planning was critical.

“The key is to prioritize,” he said. “Just because an item is mentioned at a strategic planning meeting does not mean it should be done in six months.”

The city started its 2020 strategic planning process at a four-hour Dec. 18 2019 session facilitated by a planning professional.

Then staff, mayor and councilors agreed to have updates available with the goal of adopting the 2020 plan as soon as possible, City Administrator Jessica Kinser said.

All will submit additional information to Kinser to help finalize the plan.

It is scheduled to be reviewed at the Jan. 27 regular city council meeting.

For more information, contact Kinser at 641-754-5799, or jkinser@marshalltown-ia.gov.

City’s Mission Statement:

The city of Marshalltown collaborates to provide a welcoming, safe, vibrant, and growing community. To achieve this mission, we place importance on the following values:

• Inclusiveness: Working as one to deliver exceptional outcomes.

• Innovation: Willingness to take risks, looking to the future while respecting the past, progressing forward.

• Stewardship: Respecting the human, financial and natural resources of the community

• Trust: Establishing respectful relationships, being a caring community.

• Excellence: Striving for a common standard in everything we do.

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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com