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1 <br />NOTES FROM THE MAYOR <br />Welcome to 2025! As we continue to implement our <br />2040 plan and set priorities for the next two years, I am <br />excited to contribute to and share in the growth of our <br />community. Our focus will be on enhancing parks and <br />trails, improving water and infrastructure, welcoming <br />new residents to Lake Elmo, and honoring the longtime <br />residents who have nurtured and preserved the charm <br />that makes our city special. <br />~Here’s to a bright and happy year ahead. <br />On January 15-16, the Lake Elmo City Council and the <br />Lake Elmo Staff Leadership Team conducted work <br />sessions to develop both long-term strategies and short- <br />term goals for the organization in 2025. The sessions <br />focused on three key areas of strategic planning: long- <br />term vision, organizational values and expectations, and <br />short-term goal setting. Together, the group examined <br />the elements of the long-term vision, crafting strategy <br />statements to define that vision. <br />This work also included assessing the current state of <br />the City and organization to create a list of goals for both <br />the Council and staff, aligning with that vision. Through <br />discussions, participants reflected on strengths, <br />weaknesses, potential impacts, and emerging <br />opportunities. The group also reached consensus on <br />how various functions of local government must <br />collaborate to succeed, establishing shared <br />organizational values and expectations. City Council will <br />review the outcomes of these sessions as part of <br />adopting the 2025 Strategic Plan. <br />Through this work, core strategies and strategic <br />objectives were developed which will lead our city. <br />2025 City of Lake Elmo Goal Planning Committee <br />These six objectives are outlined as follows: <br />1) Build a vibrant, inclusive, and connected community <br />through celebration, engagement, and shared spaces. <br />2) Manage growth with purpose and intent. <br />3) Balance finances consistent with current needs and <br />future growth. <br />4.) Maintain responsive, transparent, and adaptive <br />governance. <br />5) Deliver efficient, reliable, and innovative public <br />services. <br />6) Build and sustain resilient infrastructure to support a <br />thriving and sustainable community. <br />The second session focused on determining how the <br />elected officials, City Council, and City staff work <br />together to impact and deliver effective local <br />governance. Through this work, the team developed <br />guidelines for critical thinking, direction and <br />transparency that will provide a productive and efficient <br />partnership as we continue to be an engaged, <br />collaborative servant-leadership that strives to meet the <br />needs of the community. <br />The results of the team’s input have constructed a <br />framework with a guiding mission statement: The <br />mission of the City of Lake Elmo is to provide planned, <br />quality public services consistent with the City’s <br />character in a fiscally responsive manner in partnership <br />with our community. To meet this mission, our City <br />partnership is committed to performing with the values <br />of excellence, integrity and service as we continue to <br />provide the best possible services to our community <br />and meet the challenges and opportunities in a fashion <br />consistent with Lake Elmo’s long-term vision.