City Council Adopts New Strategic Plan for 2024-2029

Elkins W. Va., August 20, 2024: The Elkins Common Council has officially adopted its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, a comprehensive roadmap that sets the city’s priorities for the next five years. This plan is designed to enhance the quality of life for residents, promote sustainable growth, and prepare Elkins for future challenges and opportunities.

After first experimenting with strategic planning in 2014, City of Elkins has been operating continuously under an adopted strategic plan since 2018, when a five-year plan was created and put into action. Significant accomplishments resulting from the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan include expanded police department staffing, adoption of a modern zoning code, expansion of public parking downtown, staffing of a communications position, and construction of a new garage for the Sanitation Department. Most of the progress achieved through the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan would not have been possible without the one percent municipal sales tax, which went into effect in 2018.

“We’ve seen real progress with our past plan,” stated Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco, “and now we’re ready to tackle the next set of priorities that will keep Elkins moving forward.”

As the 2018-2023 strategic plan neared its end date, the city embarked on the process of creating a new five-year plan. The city contracted with Terri Reed Cutright & Associates to perform initial information gathering and facilitate internal stakeholder conversations. Public and stakeholder input was also obtained through a series of collaborative conversations and workshops convened by Smart Growth America (SGA) in the fall of 2022. During 2023 and 2024, city administrators and policy makers continued analyzing the information collected during that initial phase of work. Council adopted its new 2024-2029 Strategic Plan in June.

The newly adopted plan outlines six key focus areas:

• Proactive Public Safety & Disaster Preparedness
• Trustworthy, Effective Governance & Administration
• A Thriving Community with Attractive Amenities
• High-Value City Services
• High Quality Workforce
• Powerful Partnerships & Collaborations

The plan is intended to guide the city as it prepares for the completion of Corridor H, moves further into adoption of modern digital technology, plans for the disruption of the Davis Avenue Bridge replacement, explores the possibility of constructing a public-safety substation on Beverly Pike, and many other proactive objectives and goals. This plan gives Council and city administrator officers a directive, but will also act as a living document, so that new opportunities can be explored in the future where needed.

The 2024-2029 Strategic Plan represents a collective effort by the City Council, city staff, and community members to build a better future for Elkins. The council invites all residents to stay informed and engaged as the city works towards achieving these ambitious goals.

Mayor Marco continued, “This new strategic plan gives us a clear direction for the next five years, focusing on what matters most to our community and preparing for the challenges ahead.”

To download present and past strategic plans, please visit:
www.cityofelkinswv.com/strategic-plans