KPLU: King County Gets a (Strategic) Plan (2009-07-10)

King County is facing a budget crisis. On Monday, the council is expected to vote on emergency funds to continue critical human and social service programs. Meanwhile, the county is forging ahead with its first-ever strategic plan. Some see the effort as a way to help the county navigate in times of crisis, as well as times of plenty.

"That's because a strategic plan takes you where you want to go, in a very methodical, measurable, accountable way," says Pam Bissonnette, director of King County's Office of Strategic Planning and Performance Management. "When we have economic situations like we have right now, it is more crucial than ever to make sure that a strategic plan efficiently takes us to a future that we choose as a community," Bissonnette adds.

According to King County, not many large jurisdictions have strategic plans. Bissonnette says she believes King County may be first large county in the nation to come up with one. Her office was created less than a year ago by direction of the County Council. They expect a draft plan for review by December. Bissonnette says it will be built on a wide array of public feedback, including four community workshops scheduled later this month, the first of which is scheduled for Tuesday in Shoreline. (See schedule below, as well as a link to King County's web site, where input can also be submitted).

Bissonnette says a final plan will help prioritize county spending and policy direction. And, she says, with robust public input, it will have teeth, something elected leaders could lean on in a crisis, like the one now over human and social services.

"This information could very much inform those kinds of decisions, and those are big ones," she says. Gary Davis, KPLU News.

To hear the report, click on the 'play' arrow at the top of the page.

King County Strategic Plan Public Workshop Schedule:

Tuesday, July 14th, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Shoreline Conference Center (Shoreline Rm), 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline.

Thursday, July 16th, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Preston Community Center, 8625 310th AVE SE, Issaquah.

Tuesday, July 28th, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, RiverRock Grill and Ale House, 4050 Maple Valley Highway, Renton.

Thursday, July 30th, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (Emerald Rm), 9131 California Ave SW, Seattle.

King County Strategic Plan information