At Annual Retreat, Leon County Discusses Social Infrastructure and Updates Five-Year Strategic Plan

At Annual Retreat, Leon County Discusses Social Infrastructure and Updates Five-Year Strategic Plan

 

Today, Leon County held its Annual Retreat to engage in discussion with Dr. Eric Klinenberg, a nationally recognized sociologist, professor and author on social infrastructure, which is the spaces, places, and other local resources that foster relationships and promote interaction among diverse groups of citizens. At the retreat, the County highlighted social infrastructure projects such as the Leon County Public Library System, community gardens, and Cascades Park.

In addition, Commissioners reviewed and amended Leon County’s five-year strategic plan with the addition of 15 specific strategic initiatives that direct and align organizational action to advance the County’s strategic priorities related to Economy, Environment, Quality of Life, and Governance.

"I am very proud of the way the Commission continues to work together in a collegial spirit to review and update the County's Strategic Plan," said Leon County Commission Chairman Jimbo Jackson. "Our County takes great pride in building stronger communities with an exceptional quality of life and social infrastructure. We are looking forward to 2019 and beyond as we continue to achieve the County's goals by engaging with citizens on issues that matter most to them."

Following a presentation from Dr. Klinenberg, New York University (NYU) professor and Director of the Institute of Public Knowledge at NYU, Commissioners discussed the County’s extensive efforts to build social infrastructure in our community. In the afternoon, Leon County reviewed its progress towards reaching bold goals and five-year targets, highlighting the successes in growing the tourism economy to nearly $2 billion, surpassing the goal of committing to upgrade or eliminate 500 septic tank systems, securing over half of the goal of $100 million in Veterans Affairs benefits for Leon County veterans, and implementing more than 200 new citizen ideas, improvements, solutions, or opportunities.

"The updates to the County Strategic Plan ensure the Board's top priorities align with the optimized resources of our organization,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “This planning positions the County to continue making progress, activating social infrastructure and achieving big goals."

The strategic priorities and initiatives discussed today will come back before the Board for final approval and ratification in January 2019.

For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov  .