Adopting a strategic plan that all 12 county elected officials collaborated on and took five months to forge, the Maricopa County Supervisors outlined a “roadmap” that will be used to guide future budgets, capital investments and policies for the next four years. The 2015-2018 Strategic Plan was approved on a unanimous 5-0 vote.
Working with staffers from the varied county departments, the supervisors trimmed the county mission down to five key strategic priorities: Safe Communities, Regional Services, Government Operations, Growth and Economic Development and Fiscal Strength and Responsibility.
Among the specific goals:
- By the end of fiscal year 2018, all county funds will be in structural balance, with annual revenues equal to or exceeding expenditures.
- By 2018, 90 percent of regulated entities will indicate they are satisfied or more than satisfied with their interactions with county regulatory agencies, as measured by customer satisfaction surveys.
- The county will improve turnaround times and response times through the use of electronic filings.
- That 80 percent or more of county residents will indicate trust in county government.
- By the end of 2018, 100 percent of all air quality monitors will be in compliance with federal health standards.
- By the end of 2018, 85 percent or more of county residents will indicate satisfaction with the amount and access to open space, parks and recreation land in Maricopa County.
“This gives us a roadmap and clarity for county operations,” commented Board Chairman Denny Barney. “This can help us move forward. We’ve got a good starting point.”
Supervisor Steve Chucri said the emphasis on quality, efficient customer service was important to him. “The strategic priority of Government Operations means that the taxpayer – our customer – is at the center of what we do and how well we perform those functions.”
Supervisors Andy Kunasek and Mary Rose Wilcox praised the participation of other county elected officials in developing the priorities and goals in a process that started in December and involved long discussions and staff work to finalize. “It was very good to see our new board leadership work with all our county leaders,” Kunasek said.
“This is a living breathing document,” Wilcox said. “But one that stays true to the longstanding efforts of the county in the area of fiscal responsibility.”
Supervisor Clint Hickman said the process was long and demanding, “But from my perspective, it was a learning experience and will be helpful to us as we make decisions on budget and other policies.”
– See more at: http://www.maricopa.gov/pr_detail.aspx?releaseID=2588#sthash.BFg1eSWP.dpuf
