With the introduction of a new strategic plan—the first such update in twenty years—the City of Kingsport is aiming high. With a clear-eyed focus on the city’s future requirements and objectives, this crucial roadmap is anticipated to direct capital and operational expenditures over the next three to five years. Raftelis, a management consulting firm, has been hired by the City of Kingsport to help shape this plan, which will clarify Kingsport’s vision and mission while focusing on goals and objectives that speak to the community’s pulse, according to a recent announcement posted on the city’s official website.
“A new strategic plan will make sure our goals and objectives are in alignment, and we’ll be able to measure our success based on the investments we make,” said City Manager Chris McCartt in an article published by the city’s news section, in what could be interpreted as an attempt to solidify the city’s future. The process of coming together around a new strategic vision started in August and quickly progressed through internal evaluation stages, such as one-on-one interviews with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) and surveys given to city employees to explain what makes up Kingsport’s mission and core values.
A crucial workshop was conducted on November 12 to improve Kingsport’s vision and purpose statement, bringing together city employees and BMA members. In order to address a wide range of issues and goals, this meeting also examined the seven emphasis areas of the strategic plan. A robust local economy, strong and lively neighborhoods, sustainable infrastructure, quality of life, creating a safe and inviting community, effective and responsive governance, and a greater emphasis on high-quality education are all included in this.
The BMA members weren’t afraid to voice their priorities, outlining important issues that would shape the city’s future in the next years. Infrastructure paving, the growth of healthcare services, downtown regeneration, housing diversity, and increasing recreational activities for the public are some of the topics that have been addressed. The conversation also included anecdotal allusions to priorities and strategies, which were initially described on Kingsport’s website. Mayor Paul W. Montgomery acknowledged the importance of this kind of civic participation and voiced hope for Raftelis’ participative approach. The Mayor told Kingsport’s news outlet, “I like the process Raftelis is leading us through and after our citizens provide feedback, I believe the strategic plan will be one we will all be proud of and support.”
The importance of citizen voice in governmental decision-making is highlighted by Raftelis’s plans to solicit comments from a wider population later this month. By the end of February, the goal is to have the strategic plan developed, refined, and encapsulated. After this phase is finished, the plan will be made public for wider support and implementation.
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