District Of Lake Country Strategy Document

As I previously remarked, Council has deemed it important to take a strategic approach to the delivery of services and programs to District residents. 

In 2009, Council developed a Master Plan that articulates their long term development objectives. Council has committed to a strategic direction that will:

• Develop a strong sense of community

•Promote a positive community image

• Provide housing for all

• Encourage responsible economic development

• Build a comprehensive and integrated trail network

• Create a vibrant social and commercial town centre

• Protect and enhance the natural environment

• Foster diverse agricultural opportunities

• Encourage enjoyment of the unique lake resources

• Promote environmental stewardship

• Promote an active schedule of cultural and social events

• Develop a sustainable financial plan for servicing and growth

Strategic planning is primarily concerned with determining direction while strategic management focuses on implementing strategic directions. The District’s Master Plan envisions a community that addresses and provides for the needs of residents now and into the future. Strategic plans are a means to an end, not the end itself. The result, while informative, needs to be translated into short-term priorities and actions, which is the focus of the District's Strategic Priority Report.

The Strategic Topic List was generated by both Council and staff from a long-list then short list
of issues and opportunities facing the District of Lake Country. Council and Senior Staff identified their top ten items from the long list which they felt should be addressed during the workshop. The strategic topics selected for discussion focused on those deemed to require Council attention (versus primary operational).

In a previous blog entry, I identified the final list. I now wish to reiterate that those objectives are being followed up on and that Council will soon receive a report for a formal approval of those objectives. The report will also provide Council with two policies: the first one will be called 'Decision Making Guidelines', which will assist Council on how they come to their decisions about the various items they discuss or are presented to them; the second one will be titled "Organizational Success Guidelines" and will provide direction on how to measure success and compare that to the significant effort and capacity put into our daily activities at District Hall.

If you are interested in a copy of this report, we will publish it online as part of an upcoming Council meeting. My target is to have this report ready for the September 7th Rwegular Meeting.

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