Canada Kicks Ass
Miramichi plans for the future

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1andonly @ Thu May 18, 2006 3:17 pm

Strategic plan sets out goals for city's place in changing world
It was nearly a year in the making but now the city of Miramichi has mapped out its new direction.

The city just completed and implemented a new strategic plan that is complete with a mission statement. The plan is designed to put city staff, community and elected officials on the same page as to where the city is going and its goals.

"This is a road map that is very clear and from there we can then achieve so much by using this road map," said city councillor René Smith, who was among the many who worked on this project.

The city's new mission statement is: "to provide services and encourage growth to ensure an outstanding quality of life for all its citizens. To achieve this mission, the City of Miramichi is committed to promoting the following three strategic priorities at all levels within the organization; Effective and efficient use of resources, economic growth and sustainability and consistency."

The city first contacted the Fredericton-based Fundy Performance Group consulting group, then created a strategic planning committee and operations committees, and held public consultation to create this strategy.

This is the first strategic plan the city has had since the City of Miramichi was created in 1995 from several towns and villages.

"Amalgamation created the necessity to get the mechanics done quickly," said John Copp, assistant city manager.

"The world has changed," Smith agreed. "We are in business, our business is to deliver services to our citizens. Like it or not, we must work to a certain level in the business structure so we are adopting the business approach."

"We needed to have clear goals and objectives," Smith said. "We want consistency in our approach and now we have the documents that have just been signed, this is the way we are going to do business from now on."

The documentwill be used to review every aspect of the city to make it more efficient and sustainable.

It calls for the city manager, directors and staff to develop three-year plans to provide the foresight and continuity required for the city to meet its strategic priorities and objectives.

It will tell staff how to work, interact and relate to one another to economize and ensure no duplication of services.

Smith said that doesn't mean to expect layoffs but, for example, if two people are working the same job, one of those people could be placed in another working area lacking in the city. He also noted that there will some staff retiring within the next five years.

"The strategic plan with bring a unity overall to the city," Smith said.

"We must have everybody behind it."

   



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