County updates its strategic plan

In March, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners finalized an update to the county’s strategic plan.ìNo wind blows in favor of a ship without a port of destination,î said Peggy Littleton, county commissioner. ìSince 1998, we’ve had a destination. We know where we’re going and we know how we’re going to get there and set our rudder to be able to accomplish these goals, strategies and objectives.îLittleton worked on the update with other community members that included Dr. Terry Schwartz, associate dean of the school of public affairs at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs; Doug Price, chief executive officer of the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Tim Wolken, director of the county’s community services department.The updated strategic plan summarizes the county’s fiscal situation as the economic downturn, which began in 2007, took hold. The county reacted by cutting $45 million from its budget. According to the updated plan, the downturn is expected to continue through 2015.Compared with nine other Colorado counties, at $368 per citizen, the cost of running El Paso County’s government is the lowest. Larimer County is the highest at $994, and Arapahoe County is closest to El Paso County at $549.The plan identifies five goals:

• Maintain and promote a financially sustainable county government that is transparent and effective
• Continue to enhance the understanding of civic services and promote participation, engagement and confidence in county government
• Maintain and improve the county transportation system, facilities, infrastructure and technology
• Consistently support regional economic strength
• Strive to ensure a safe, secure and healthy community

For each goal, the plan identifies four to eight strategies for achieving the goal; and, for each strategy, the plan identifies several objectives.For example, a strategy for the third goal is providing a safe and effective county road system that addresses the need for expansion to meet traffic volumes.Two objectives for that particular strategy focus on the Falcon area:

• Continue the Marksheffel Road planning process involving Powers Boulevard and Banning Lewis Parkway
• Implement the State Highway 94 Access Management Program and form a study group to address improvements and potential expansion of Highway 94

Strategic plans often become dust collectors, but the board of Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau is already using the updated strategic plan to guide their agenda, Price said.A strategy for the fourth goal expands tourism opportunities. The objectives:

• Increasing the county’s capacity to host conventions, conferences and sporting events
• Research opportunities for adding arts organizations as Enterprise Zone contribution projects
• Leveraging the fairgrounds in Calhan as a regional events or community center
• Partnering with nonprofit organizations to develop new event opportunities, such as an annual Heritage Festival featuring the region’s cultural heritage, art, food and music
• Promoting the use of county facilities for state, regional and national events

The county has already begun implementation of another objective for expanding tourism opportunities by breaking ground last December on a sports shooting complex in partnership with Fort Carson.Littleton commended Wolken for shortening the strategic plan from its previous length of 50 pages.ìWe’re down to 11 pages of very focused, intent goals and objectives that we really are going to accomplish and try to accomplish to our best here in El Paso County,î she said.The updated strategic plan is available on the county Web site: http://elpasoco.com