HomeMy WebLinkAboutCHALLENGE#12 FINAL 3-128
Challenge #12- Public Image and Community Relationships
As the City grows, it will become more complex, offer more services, and develop more
avenues to access government for program use, and for program delivery. Without clear
understanding and a broad effort to develop better communication, greater acceptance,
and stronger patterns of cooperation, city government will lose its ability to effectively
serve its citizens. There continues to be significant public misunderstanding regarding
public policies, programs, and services. Coupled with public concern about
government waste and poor customer service, this has encouraged voter and consumer
indifference, caused a deteriorating public image for city government, increased the
number of disconnects with the public, and reduced the effectiveness of community
services.
Major Long-Term Goals
To reduce the number of issues and conflicts occurring due to insufficient,
inadequate, or inappropriate public information.
To increase the number of strategic partnerships actively pursued, established
and maintained by the Mayor, City Council, and various departments.
To increase the number of users on the City Web site, thereby increasing the
public’s overall knowledge and understanding of City programs, services,
policies, and procedures,
To increase the number of registered voters, and the percentage of eligible
voters who vote during elections.
To increase the City’s overall civic involvement as measured by the number of
people attending and participating in City Council meetings and special
meetings of boards and commissions.
To increase the City’s overall positive image and reputation as a well-managed,
conservative, prudent, and efficient municipal organization.
To increase the awareness of the image that each City commission and
committee presents to the public on behalf of the City.
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To increase the Mayor and City Council members involvement and exposure to
community events.
To increase the level of recognition of the City’s special accomplishments by
the different media resources.
Key Strategies
Seek every means to offer public information electronically via the City’s Web
site, through terminals in City offices, and from remote terminals in such places
as the Public Library.
Continue revising the City Web page until it is more easily accessible, highly
responsive, user friendly and fully replete with service listings, directions and
current information and events.
Continue working with the Ada County Clerk to explore more avenues for
getting people out to vote during elections.
Seek advice from private citizens and community organizations regarding how
the City can be more responsive, accessible, accurate, and helpful.
Actively develop broad-based strategic community partnerships with many
service organizations, other public agencies, and private businesses. Develop a
cooperative system of collaboration that will lead to stronger programs, better
quality, and richer understanding.
Increase the effort being put into public notifications and general public
information generated from all departments. Develop new, more timely, and
creative means for information distribution.
Identify where the City is under-serving or not offering the quality and service
needed or expected by the public. Analyze and develop plans to upgrade,
discontinue, or privatize these services.
Continue to develop better communication among the City departments as well
as between the Mayor and City Council.