Albemarle Uses Strategic Plan to Guide City Operations

On October 9, 2024, Centralina hosted a Fall Celebration and Awards Ceremony at Atrium Ballpark in Kannapolis, NC. This event highlighted the work of our organization and member communities, in addition to several people and programs that have made an exceptional impact in our community over the last fiscal year.  

Local Government Innovation is a Region of Excellence award category that celebrates the towns, cities and counties who do more with less at a time when the role of government is increasingly important. Awardees have made the most of their available resources in a manner that is both innovative and brings value to our communities. 

About the Strategic Plan

The City of Albemarle’s strategic plan was developed to make the most of city operations and resources and provide maximum value to Albemarle residents. The city recognized the need for an innovative way to tie together both its organizational planning and financial planning processes. Now entering its third year, the city’s strategic plan has increased community satisfaction in quality of life, enhanced teamwork across departments and better aligned city staff and elected leaders. 

Development of the strategic plan started with a citizen’s survey in 2020 that requested feedback on city priorities and community needs. From there, the city established a framework for the strategic plan, including a vision, mission and set of core values. Within two years, city staff completed or started nearly 150 tactics tied to the plan.  

Albemarle’s strategic plan embodies both strategic and creative thinking by integrating operations, planning and community feedback. One member of Albemarle’s leadership team summarized the benefits of the plan with these words: “Having a strategic plan that outlines specific goals and tactics… gives me the confidence to prioritize departmental goals and lead confidently. We are proactive rather than reactive. It also helps that the strategic plan is regularly referenced in all communication going out to the public, bringing citizens back around to the fact that we are a goal-oriented organization.”