GREEN COVE SPRINGS – County commissioners got an update on the Strategic Plan from Gabrielle Gunn, Director of Community and Social Services.

She provided a comprehensive report, which was compiled in collaboration with the Northeast Florida Regional Council, detailing recent progress the county and Regional Council made in developing the plan. 

The core of Gunn’s presentation focused on a survey that included 400 residents from all five districts in the county. Constituents ranked their preferences across several critical factors, including quality and balance of life, growth management and development, the economy and infrastructure. 

In District 1, residents placed a premium on infrastructure. In District 2, respondents slightly preferred infrastructure over the economy, with growth management and development ranking lower than other districts. District 3 residents prioritized quality of life more than others but displayed lesser concern for the county economy. Those respondents also showed slightly more concern for growth management and development. Gunn said all of these factors could be impacted by the district’s proximity to Duval County.

In District 4, residents valued infrastructure the most. The economy was the second-most important priority. They considered growth management and development the least. 

In District 5, residents placed equal value on quality and balance of life and the economy, growth management, development and infrastructure. 

Gunn then presented the strategic plan’s structure, which would incorporate themes and corresponding definitions. These themes would be supported by overarching goals, measurable objectives, and policies to guide implementation. 

The first theme identified was community development, which would revolve around smart growth, strategic development, and addressing the crucial issue of affordable housing.

The second theme was community health, which would focus on the well-being of the community in areas such as public safety, community services, and overall health. 

The third theme emphasized good governance, focusing on communication, financial planning, and intergovernmental coordination. Infrastructure, the fourth theme, focused on roads and stormwater transportation, which included working with partners to develop their infrastructure. The fifth theme, quality of life, will aim to maintain and enhance the quality of life via parks, natural spaces, and resiliency. 

In August, the county will establish 25-30 specific goals. In September, they will incorporate ongoing projects with the new goals. In October and November, the county will meet with stakeholders to discuss priorities and goals and how they align. In December, they will present a refined plan to county commissioners.

Then, in January and February, they will seek to begin the rollout. 

“I think this aligns with what we’re doing with what the Regional Council is doing as well, mutually. When you talk about affordable housing, stormwater resilience, and parks, we’re looking at all of that on a regional basis. Our priorities align with the region,” councilman Jim Renninger said. 

Assistant County Manager Troy Nagle underscored the importance of aligning each project with strategic priorities, each linked to specific themes, goals, and measurable objective. The approach would prevent resources from being allocated to projects that do not align with the county’s strategic focus.