During a Jan. 22, 2026 public work session at Town Hall, the seven Strategic Plan Focus Areas selected by the Town Council at its Jan. 7th-8th work session were shared and discussed with citizens and staff. The meeting brought more details and structure to the Plan as items were added, edited, combined or moved, but the focus areas, vision and outcomes remain consistent with those adopted by Council earlier this month:

Focus Area I: COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT

Outcome: Improve transparency, citizen engagement and understanding of operations

Increase opportunities for citizen engagement

Enhance citizen access to 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 e-newsletter

Focus Area II: 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)

Evaluate opportunities to provide recreational access to Deep River

Complete in-process connectivity projects (sidewalks, crosswalks)

Focus Area III: 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 full time tax specialist

Outcome: Reduce the need for property tax and utility fee increases

Expand efforts to identify funding sources and grant opportunities for capital projects across 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 IV: 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 adding more street and safety signage

Focus Area V: INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCY

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 VI: 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 VII: 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

Evaluate staff leave and Town Hall closure policies