Multiple updates to Bartlesville NEXT, the City’s organizational strategic plan, got the go-ahead from the City Council on Monday, with the council voting unanimously to adopt the updated plan.
Bartlesville NEXT was initially adopted by the council in 2022 and included key objectives and goals that were intended to be completed within one to three years. Nearly all have been accomplished, said Assistant City Manager Laura Sanders.
“A few of the objectives are ongoing and have been carried over in the updated plan, but most of what we set out to do has been accomplished,” Sanders said. “So it was time for the City’s leadership team to begin working to determine new goals for our organization. Over the course of four work sessions, City department directors collaborated extensively to ensure this document reflects both community feedback and organizational priorities.
“This updated plan represents months of thoughtful work and builds upon our shared commitment to service, accountability and progress. We believe these updates strengthen the plan and provide a clearer, more actionable roadmap for the years ahead.”
The NEXT Plan was guided by several key inputs, including the City’s mission, vision, and core values, the City Council’s leadership statement, the Polco citizen survey, and a comprehensive SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). The plan includes only minor changes to the City’s vision, mission, values and strategic priorities, Sanders said.
“These changes were made to simplify some of the language or to more clearly communicate our intention,” she said. “The bulk of the updates come in the key objectives and steps outlined in reaching them.”
Some new objectives included in the updated plan include:
- Focus on staff recruitment, retention, development, department collaborations, and safety programs to improve workplace culture and morale.
- Improve and modernize our workplace including seeking accreditations for operational excellence, developing a performance and reward-based evaluation process, and furthering integration of IT systems into our operating departments.
- Develop annual communications and feedback systems to include a standard report to citizens, community survey, and employee survey.
- Adopt governance best practices and update municipal criminal code
- Reevaluate our development regulatory policies to ensure all rules, regulations, and processes align with best practices and reflect the character of our community.
- Collaborate with economic development partners and experts to optimize development.
- Explore strategies to retain and attract young professionals and families to Bartlesville.
- Partner with community groups to discuss, evaluate and report on existing needs and potential solution that address: Child Care, Housing, Homelessness, and Others to be Determined.
- Develop Asset Management Program for infrastructure.
- Improve road conditions as captured by Pavement Condition Index
- Develop storm sewer system improvement plan
- Explore opportunities to embrace the unique cultures of our community.
- Develop and maintain healthy lifestyle options as a segment of our parks, recreation and transportation systems.
To view specific goals for each objective, see Bartlesville NEXT.