5 year strategic plan

Sharon McLeay  

Times Contributor  

 

At the Oct. 1 council meeting, Wheatland County council was presented a copy of the 2014-2018 Corporate Strategic Plan. The plan shows a breakdown of goals, and strategic activities to achieve those goals within each county department.  

Plans such as these are used and recommended for use by many major organizations to improve efficiency and clarity within the organization.

“In regards to strategic thinking and plans, I can say this … without strategic plans organizations are less likely to achieve their objectives. Our organization’s objective is to provide services for our citizens, which are clearly defined in the plan approved by council. This document is a living document, and performance will be measured against it throughout the coming years to ensure success,” said Wheatland County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Alan Parkin.

The document’s vision statement states it is to provide consistent, accountable, innovative governance. 

The plan states that Wheatland County is committed to identifying the needs of the community, while providing services and sustainable long-term growth opportunities that reflect our agricultural heritage. In the plan, they hope to provide effective and accountable government, response to customer needs, show integrity and professionalism, encourage teamwork and organizational development, and increase staff recruitment, promotion and employee retention.

Many of the activities remain constant throughout the years, however there are new projects defined as well. Parkin said initiatives will be made public in council  as the plan evolves.

“In past organizations, I have ensured that a monthly update of progress on the plan is included in the council  package and I intend to do the same starting in February of 2014; so that progress is tracked, measured, and reported regularly to council  and all citizens of Wheatland County. This document will guide our staff in moving forward on our plan, but council can adjust it when the need arises,” said Parkin.

Badlands Ambulance 

turnover complete

Councillor Ben Armstrong advised council that the Badlands Ambulance Service Society had completed arrangements for the Alberta Health Services takeover. The $93,691 invested by the municipality for its administration was returned to the municipality with $1,000 reserved for completion of last minute payments. Any money left over in that buffer will be turned over to STARS. The municipality found that it was not economically feasible to continue operating the service. 

Wheatland and District Emergency Medical Association Services (WADEMSA) may be facing a similar decision, if Alberta Health Services does not continue contract negotiations in good faith. Another six month extension was given when the contract ran out at the end of September. The extensions present significant difficulties for the service. The municipality is making up the shortfall in funding until a new contract is signed. County representatives have reservations on how long the municipality can continue to afford to pay $30,000 per quarter to maintain the service. A meeting on Oct. 9th held at the county office is scheduled to review strategies and options facing the service.

“We are still hopeful, but have reservations about entering into another six month extension with them using  money from our bank account,” said Reeve Glenn Koester.