Strategic Priorities

The Mayor and City Council conducted the 2008 strategic priorities planning process the first quarter of 2008.  Out of that planning process the City Council formulated and developed the 2008 Strategic Plan.

The following are recent accomplishments from the 2006 Strategic Plan:

• Development and implementation of a long-range financial budgeting model
• Identification of City amenities and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) to aid in future development within the City
• Updated the Strategic Plan for Technology
• Published and mailed to every resident and business the Broadband Informational Brochure
• Established key GIS priorities
• Completed the Plum Drive Master Plan and design of the New Plum Drive
• Construction of the New Plum Drive bid and awarded

The 2008 Strategic Plan is broken down into near term and long term priorities.  In addition, the Council identified key policy leadership agreements.

Near Term Priorities:

1.       Reduce Fire and EMS response times by staffing five FTE's at each Fire Station (#41 & #42).

• Compile performance data (response times, property losses, location of incidents, anecdotal information) and report quarterly to the City Council
• Develop a cost matrix showing the cost for various staffing alternatives
• Explore regional options in Fire & EMS services

2.     Implement a coordinated approach to economic development in Urbandale through the creation of an Economic Development Director position.

• Evaluate the current economic development responsibilities and relationships the City has within the Metro Area.
• Develop a comprehensive economic development strategy in partnership with the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce and the area's development associations
• Develop a job description for an Economic Development Coordinator position within the City's organizational structure
• Hire the Economic Development Coordinator

3.     Establish Urbandale as a key stakeholder in regional priorities to ensure that regional services are provided and financed in a fair and equitable manner.

• Identify key regional leaders and establish a schedule for regular one-on-one meetings with these key leaders, the Mayor and/or City Council members
• Establish Urbandale's regional priorities and an implementation plan for the achievement of those priorities

4.      Create substantial pedestrian and vehicular access to the Walnut Creek Regional Park and construct the initial park shelters within five years.

• Meet with landowners adjacent to the park and negotiate voluntary acquisitions of needed land
• If voluntary acquisitions are not possible, develop a condemnation policy for this parkland
• Identify the trail sections for the completion of the spine system and develop a five-year plan for completing the spine system
• Meet with the Polk and Dallas County Conservation Commissions to explore joint funding opportunities for the park's buildings
• Meet with Friends of the Park to develop a referendum strategy for a park improvement plan

Long Term Priorities:

1.       A strong sense of community.
2.       A continuously safe community.
3.       High-quality parks, greenbelts, and trail systems to include the regional park.
4.       A high level of regional cooperation with the western suburbs.
5.       Effective community partnerships (e.g., schools).
6.       Good recreation, leisure, cultural and civic facilities.
7.       An "electronic" city government (interactivity, good information, accessibility).
8.       A growing community.
9.       Continued business growth complementary to quality residential community.
10.    Good transportation systems.
11.    Well-maintained infrastructure.
12.    High quality, innovative city services.
13.   A full-life cycle of housing available.

Key Policy Leadership Agreements:

1.       Continue the "Lunch and Learn" activity.
2.       Hold joint meetings with school boards, City boards and commissions, and other city councils.
3.     Continue support of current initiatives.