James City County has launched a year-long effort to prepare a strategic action plan that will guide County operations and investments for the next 20 years. JCC Strategy 2035 will evaluate current policy direction, economic opportunities and fiscal constraints, to create a single, integrated Strategic Plan. The process was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2014 and will be built on the values, needs and aspirations of residents, business owners and community stakeholders.
A key part of the effort is the development of a website that can be used by the community to follow the process and:
• Review agendas and presentations
• Join an email list to receive notices of meetings and new work products
• Learn about participation opportunities
• Review new work products when posted
After a competitive proposal process, County Administrator Bryan Hill began the Strategic Plan development by contracting Clarion Associates, a national planning firm. “Our JCC Strategy 2035 process kicked off in October when the project team met with the Board of Supervisors and the two advisory boards (Planning Advisory Group and the Technical Advisory Group) who have been tasked with the formulation of our plan. Each group brainstormed strategic planning themes that will be used to generate the vision, goals and actions,” says Hill. Clarion is now developing a first draft vision. “They are pouring over a generous amount of research, economic and planning documents while synthesizing the feedback provided to them. The process is deliberate, thorough and open which is necessary, appropriate and expected,” he added.
Following the kickoff meetings on Nov. 2 and 3, the project team met with community stakeholder groups to learn more about the opportunities and challenges in the County. A broad spectrum of community leaders were interviewed, including business and economic development interests, residents and neighborhood leaders, social service providers, representatives of local education systems and County department representatives.
Currently, Clarion is preparing a report that will outline the themes discussed, the County's current policy structure as it relates to the strategic planning themes, an assessment of the County's economic and fiscal conditions and opportunities, and a Strategic Plan vision based on these analyses. The Phase 1 report will be presented at the Jan. 11 meeting of the Strategic Planning Advisory Group and the Technical Advisory Group. After revisions, it will go to the Board of Supervisors at their Jan. 26 work session.
Media Contact: Jody Puckett, Communications Director
757-253-6605
jody.puckett@jamescitycountyva.gov