At the Jan. 22nd Budget Planning session at Town Hall, the Council’s seven Strategic Plan Focus Areas (selected at their Jan. 8th work session) were combined with the five Focus Areas selected by the prior Council a year ago, for a discussion and prioritizing exercise led by Town Planning Director Jose Colon. The outcome was a further-honed list of strategic priorities, outcomes and goals for the year ahead. Here’s the list so far – still a WORKING DRAFT – presented in alphabetical order:
Focus Area: AMENITIES
Outcome: Continue to provide meaningful, high-quality amenities to the citizens of Jamestown
Support programming that showcases Jamestown’s social, cultural and historic heritage
Evaluate and support activities for all ages, categories and life stages (recreation programs, youth programs, veterans, seniors, etc.)
Evaluate and support family events (Music in the Park, holiday events, consider an annual festival)
Complete in-process connectivity projects (sidewalks, crosswalks)
Focus Area: COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT
Outcome: Improve citizen engagement and understanding of operations
Increase opportunities for citizen engagement with Council
Enhance citizen access to, and opportunities for participation in, public meetings
Outcome: Improve access to public records and information
Evaluate feasibility of hiring a Public Information Officer to oversee, manage and make public records more readily available; and manage website content, social media, press releases and Town e-letter
Focus Area: INFRASTRUCTURE
Outcome: Support maintenance upgrades and require regulatory compliance with respect to drinking water, stormwater, flood control, wastewater and sewer systems.
Prioritize stormwater and wastewater monitoring, repairs, management programs and NCDEQ compliance
Review, update and publish town zoning map, stormwater map, FEMA flood map and Land Development Ordinance to reflect changes, annexations, current regulations and current watershed and waterbody classifications
Require the use of updated Land Development Ordinances, federal and state regulations, and current watershed and waterbody classifications on all zoning and permit applications submitted to the Town.
Provide realtime, accurate public water usage and billing system data for Jamestown public water customers
Evaluate feasibility of hiring a fulltime stormwater director
Focus Area: PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Outcome: Define economic vision and goals for Town and business district(s)
Conduct a comprehensive study of town to include assessment of infrastructure, traffic flow, zoning, pedestrian safety, accessibility, industrial sites, environmental factors, historic sites and municipal boundaries.
Evaluate abandoned, neglected sites for hazards, code enforcement and re-use opportunities.
Develop and publish a long-term master development plan
Develop and publish a Main Street style guide
Outcome: Increase outreach and alliances with business community
Provide programming/services to attract new businesses and support existing businesses
Outcome: Improve overall maintenance, upkeep and aesthetics of targeted areas
Increase regular maintenance and roadside trash pickup of Main Street district and key roadways into Town
Establish citizens and business owners committee for Main Street beautification
Focus Area: PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Outcome: Provide support and resources to community partners and organizations that work to ensure the safety, security and health of our citizens.
Support emergency response, fire, public safety and public utility partners (EMS, PSFD, GCSO, PTRWA)
Expand code enforcement to all landowners, industrial sites and businesses
Support environmental and public health programming to include citizen-based air, water quality and river keeper education and stewardship.
Outcome: Strengthen pedestrian and traffic safety
Evaluate and add street lighting in public and targeted areas
Evaluate and add street and safety signage
Focus Area: RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP
Outcome: Ensure tax assessments, valuations and revenues are equitable
Review town, county and municipal tax contracts, property tax maps, land valuation methods
Focus on options to lower tax rate with 2026 revaluation
Evaluate feasibility of hiring a fulltime tax specialist
Outcome: Lower the need for property tax and utility fee increases
Work to identify funding and grant opportunities for capital projects and all departments
Conduct review of all town service agreements and contracts
Explore options to grow tax base
Evaluate feasibility of hiring a fulltime funding specialist to explore grant opportunities across all categories
Focus Area: STAFF EXCELLENCE
Outcome: Improve the administration of Town government
Define expectations
Conduct annual performance reviews of staff management and department heads
Annual review with Council of policies and organizational structure
About The Author
