Management and Performance Review of County Government ...

Assessment of the Organization and Management Functions
FISCAL IMPACT
report.
The fiscal impact for this recommendation is presented in Chapter 4 of this
RECOMMENDATION 3-3:
Develop a long-range strategic plan that includes input from all offices and
departments of the county, and from employees from all levels of the county.
The first step in overcoming the animosity among the various elected offices is to
establish an open communications mechanism. By including all elected officials,
department heads and employees in a strategic planning process, the county will not
only establish a strong communications mechanism, but it will be better able to
understand the county’s needs and priorities and therefore develop meaningful funding
plans for these priorities.
Although the Commissioners Court is ultimately responsible for adopting a
county budget, the court must allow input from all levels and all departments as to the
priorities the government should focus on, particularly in light of the county’s financial
situation.
IMPLEMENTATION
As a first step, the county should consider bringing in an outside facilitator to
assist with initial strategic planning efforts and to train county employees in using
strategic planning processes. The Commissioners Court, all elected officials and
department heads should agree to a schedule for conducting strategic planning
meetings beginning in January 2006, with an initial five-year strategic plan drafted by
August 31, 2006.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the county implements the recommendation to create and staff a Strategic
Planning and Budget function, the staff of this department will be able to conduct much
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