City of Kingsport holds strategic planning workshop

The City of Kingsport is continuing its work to craft a new strategic plan, which once done will serve as the city’s guiding document for operational and capital investments for the next three to five years.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen, along with key city staff members, held a day-long workshop earlier this week to review the results of a community survey and use citizen feedback to refine and adjust the city’s seven strategic focus areas for the future.

Kingsport leaders also provided specific examples of projects, programs and initiatives the city should focus on for the next three to five years.

“A new strategic plan will make sure our goals and objectives are in alignment, and we’ll be able to measure our success based on the investments we make,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “This plan will help keep us on track with the desires of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the community and city staff.”

Last fall, Kingsport enlisted the services of Raftelis to help craft the city’s strategic plan. The plan includes seven focus areas – efficient and responsive government; sustainable infrastructure; quality of life; safe and welcoming community, thriving local economy; strong and vibrant neighborhoods; and quality education.

The community survey took place in December and January and yielded 2,089 respondents with people offering their opinion on the seven focus areas and the community’s priorities.

“We’re thrilled with the number of responses we received from the community survey,” McCartt said. “It’s satisfying to know this many people are interested in Kingsport’s future and are willing to offer their opinions on the big ideas we’re working on.”

According to the survey, respondents ranked “A Thriving Local Economy” as the most important focus area. “A Safe and Welcoming Community” was second and “An Efficient and Responsive Government” was third.

Approximately 93% of the respondents live within the city limits with more than 1,000 having lived in Kingsport more than 20 years. Fifty-five percent of respondents were women and 22% of total respondents were ages 55 to 64.

Raftelis will now take the results of this week’s workshop, finalize the strategic plan and present it to the BMA for approval in early spring.