In March 2017, the Salem City Council agreed on the following mission, vision and values for the organization.

Vision

A safe and livable capital city with a sustainable economy and environment that is open to all

 

Mission

The City of Salem provides fiscally sustainable and quality services to enrich the lives of current and future residents, improve neighborhoods and the environment and support a thriving economy

 

Values

• Opportunity
  • Salem is proactive and forward thinking
• Compassion
  • Salem is fair, equitable and safe
• Responsiveness
  • Salem is at your service, with the capacity and partnerships to prepare for the future
• Accessibility
  • Salem is open and inclusive

The strategic plan outlines the City’s goals, objectives and performance measures for the next five to seven years. It also identifies the planning and funding needed to achieve these goals.

Community Engagement

Community input played a critical role in developing the strategic plan. The City asked residents to share their ideas and concerns through surveys, open houses, and work sessions. Key engagement efforts included:

• Survey Participation
  • Over 600 people shared their views in a survey conducted in September 2017
• Community Open Houses
  • About 300 residents attended a June 1, 2017, open house, contributing more than 750 ideas
• Satisfaction Survey
  • A statistically valid survey conducted in late 2016 gathered input from 450 residents
• Stakeholder Input
  • The City also worked with potential partners to identify ways to improve conditions in the community

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this process!

The City Council identified seven key topics for work groups to address. Each group included City Councilors and staff members who worked together to define goals and recommend actions.

1. Affordable Housing, Social Services and Homelessness

Goals:

• Ensure housing security for Salem residents
• Provide accessible health and social services

Mayor Bennett, Councilors McCoid, Andersen, Cook

Lead Staff: Andy Wilch, Housing Administrator

 

2. Economic Development and Downtown

Goals:

• Support small businesses, grow existing businesses, and attract new ones
• Create a vibrant downtown with low commercial vacancy and quality housing

Mayor Bennett and Councilors Nanke, Hoy, Kaser
Lead staff: Kristin Retherford, Urban Development Department Director

3. Vision for Growth and Development

Goal:

• Develop a long-term vision for growth and development in Salem

Councilors McCoid, Cook, Lewis, Nanke
Lead staff: Lisa Anderson-Ogilvie, Planning Administrator

 

4. Critical Infrastructure

Goal

• Maintain a strong and reliable infrastructure system

Councilors Ausec, Lewis, Nanke, Kaser
Lead staff: Peter Fernandez, Public Works Department Director

 

5. Sustainable Service Delivery

Goal:

• Align City services with available resources

Councilors McCoid, Andersen, Ausec, Cook
Lead staff: Kacey Duncan, Deputy City Manager

 

6. Public Transportation

Goal:

• Create a public transportation system that meets the community’s needs

Mayor Bennett and Councilors Kaser, Lewis, Hoy
Lead staff: Julie Warncke, Transportation Planning Manager

 

7. Environmental Action

Draft Goal:

• Develop a community-wide environmental strategy that prioritizes reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Councilors Andersen, Kaser, Nanke, McCoid
Lead staff: Kristin Retherford, Urban Development Department Director

The strategic planning process included a situation assessment to evaluate the City’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This assessment helped identify challenges and opportunities for improving services.

The City of Salem remains committed to using this strategic plan to guide its efforts and ensure the community’s needs are met now and in the future.