After three months of public consultation, Nanaimo council has formed the first draft of the Corporate Strategic Plan and residents are again being asked for input.
Vision, mission, values and operating philosophy were approved in principle by council, along with six strategic priorities, and are posted to the city's website (www.nanaimo.ca).
The first draft of the plan, called Your Vision Our Nanaimo, was posted to the website Tuesday for public consideration.
Coun. Jim Kipp, the steering committee chairman, said further public feedback is required to move the project to its next phase.
"Council went through two gruelling days or workshops, which is excellent, to review the information," said Kipp. "We want people to read the draft and provide feedback and anybody who hasn't signed up to participate in the survey is invited to do so. Public input is essential to help council make important decisions for strategic priorities over the next five years."
The strategic plan is being developed at a cost of about $120,000 to determine the city's priorities and to help shape future budgets to fund those priorities.
Over the last few weeks, council hosted eight workshops for various neighbourhoods, demographics and business groups to help determine public wishes for the city's vision.
An online survey is now available on the city's website where residents can rate the concepts developed from the community's input, which will help develop the plan's second draft.
"We're trying to bring focus, efficiency and effective management to our community," said Kipp.
A wrap-up community forum is planned for June 6 and a third survey will be issued in mid-June, with a final presentation of the strategic plan to be presented before council on July 9.
For more information on how to participate, please e-mail yourvoiceournanaimo@nanaimo.ca or follow the links at www.nanaimo.ca.
reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com