Board of Supervisors Adopt Strategic Focus Areas and Priorities for the Orange County Government
By: Orange County Communications
One of the goals of the Orange County Board of Supervisors this year has been to revisit the County ’ s strategic vision and establish areas of focus to guide the efforts of the Orange County government. Our prior strategic vision was established as the result of a deliberative effort in 2012, during which three primary principles were selected: A Vibrant Economy ; Effective,
Reflective Government ; and Sustainable Land Use . Biennial Strategic Planning Retreats have continued to refresh the Board ’ s priorities; but the underlying concepts have continued to serve as the lens which focuses and clarifies the purpose of departmental efforts and priorities for over a decade. This strong foundation and the fresh insight of three new Board members created an opportune time to create a new vision for the future of our community. Beginning with a retreat held at the Orange County Airport in January, each member identified their own individual priorities, then worked collaboratively to create collective priorities. From that effort and continued discussion at Board Worksessions, revised vision and mission statements have been adopted: Vision : The County of Orange ’ s vision is to be a vibrant community that delivers effective, reflective services to improve the quality of life for all citizens, while sustaining its rural character, promoting a diversified economy, and remaining responsive to local needs. Mission : Orange County ’ s mission is to advance its vision by delivering class - leading, citizen - centered services and exercising prudent use of public funds. Owing to the timeless relevance of the principles selected in 2012, each was selected to carry forward in the new vision. Reflecting on the successes of past priorities, such as the Digital Citizen Initiative, each item was reviewed for any pertinent updates. As a result, some new goals were created under the umbrella of existing principles, while some prior ones were recognized for continuing importance and were therefore renewed. Despite the strength of the three prior focus areas, awareness of the evolving needs of the community has elevated a fourth principle to the level of the other pillars, an Enhanced Quality of Life . This new focus area is rooted in a desire to make Orange County a desirable place to live, work, and play. It includes considerations for new recreational opportunities, such as parks and community facilities. It recognizes the innovative nature of our public safety resources, but promotes an atmosphere of continuing review to ensure we are always meeting the needs of residents in an ever - evolving world. Finally, it seeks to build a resilient workforce and prepare our youth for rewarding careers in a variety of fields by supporting the creation of plans for school construction needs - particularly a career and technical education center. Orange County looks forward to implementing the revised vision and mission with renewed energy. For more information about this process, please view the next page, or contact Ashley Jacobs, Management Analyst, at ajacobs@orangecountyva.gov.
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