2025 Goal Setting Binder - Laserfiche WebLink

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Visionary Leadership and Planning — We believe that the very essence of leadership is to be visionary and innovative while planning for the future. Excellence and Quality in the Delivery of Services —We believe that service to our residents is our reason for being and commit to delivering services in a professional, cost-effective, and efficient manner. Fiscal Responsibility — We believe that fiscal responsibility and prudent stewardship of public funds, both short-term and long-term, are essential for citizen confidence in government. Open and Honest Communication — We believe that open and honest communication is paramount for an involved citizenry and fosters a positive working environment for employees. Respect for the Individual — We believe that citizens we serve are to be treated with the utmost respect and deserve the best treatment the City can provide. Community Engagement — We believe that creating and fostering a community with engaged, active, and informed stakeholders is necessary for a healthy city. Professionalism — We believe that continuous improvement and innovation is the mark of a professional organization and we are committed to applying this principle to the services we offer and development of employees. Accountability - We believe in decision -making processes that are based on facts, data, and the prioritization of community interests above the individual. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT One of the primary activities of the session was conducting an environmental scan of the City and organization. This activity is designed to consider the present state of the community from a variety of perspectives. In a large group setting, participants were asked to consider its strengths, challenges, areas where the City has momentum, and explore trends and issues that face the City in the coming years. The scan provided the basis for the group's efforts later in the work session to develop the goals that will guide the organization in the coming years. In its first assessment activity, the group was asked to consider all of the things that identify as strengths of Lake Elmo, both as a City and the organization itself. Participants were encouraged to think of projects, services, actions, and policies. After discussing the strengths, participants turned their attention towards reviewing City and organizational areas that need improvement. These items are areas that presently challenge the organization and City. The third assessment area of discussion was around the actions that are presently underway that provide for organizational momentum. The group brainstormed areas where the City had opportunities based on current conditions and actions. Following the assessment of its strengths, challenges and areas of momentum, the group moved on to the final brainstorming activity - anticipating emerging trends or issues that may impact the City. Forecasting potential external changes or impacts is a key step in the process to help leadership anticipate pressures and opportunities that may arise. To guide this process, the participants followed a STEP model of analysis, thinking about trends and external impacts in the areas of socio-cultural, technical, economical, and political. Thinking about the ongoing opportunities and challenges in each of these areas provides a variety of important perspectives for the City in the coming years. The results of the environmental scan have been provided as an appendix to this report.