Iola City Council members are considering a new approach to their strategic planning procedures, while also considering a better way to implement those plans into the city’s future. TOLAND WAS successful in garnering an additional $5,000 from the city for Thrive Allen County’s economic development services. IN OTHER NEWS:
Corinne Bannon, with the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs at Wichita State University, came before the council to propose the school conduct a comprehensive strategic planning report for this year’s meetings, which are normally conducted in late January.
“There are benefits to having an insider come in,” Bannon said while addressing the council.
The cost of the report, which would be compiled over the course of three months, is $8,000. The group — which would be made of students and professionals — would organize information from the surrounding area, compile data and support their data with ways to put the plans into action.
There’s the kicker.
“We have an issue with implementing the plans that we have in place,” David Toland said, while pitching in his two cents during the meeting. “How do we build accountability into this thing to get things done. Not planning for planning’s sake.”
Council members echoed his sentiments. Steve French said numerous reports conducted over the years have been helpful in some ways, but others have been “collecting dust on the shelves.”
Bannon said WSU’s focus is on community involvement. They would provide a survey to the community, giving information on current trends and issues for comparable cities, as well as giving the citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions on what needs to be done.
The council tabled any decision on the study.
Toland is the executive director for the non-profit organization, and spends approximately 25 hours per week in the endeavor. In 2013, the city provided $15,000, which will be upped to $20,000. Allen County Commissioners provide $10,000 and Iola Industries provided $15,000.
Toland said Iola Industries has already approved an increase to $20,000, and Toland will make the same request of the county today.
He said the economic developments through Thrive were responsible for the Catalyst Artificial Lift deal, as well as a potential operator for a supermarket coming in 2014.
— Nelson Quarries, Gas, was approved by the city for 2014 rock purchases at a cost of $8.70 per ton.
— Council members signed a $1 per year lease agreement for the EMS building on North State Street.
— Ron Conaway updated the council on the work schedule procedures for Fire and EMS employees, as well as updated them on how transitions were going between the two services.
City takes hard look at strategic planning
