Mayor and Council for the City of Vernon along with City directors met for a Special Committee of the Whole on February 2, 2015, to begin the work of setting strategic priorities for the next four years in Vernon. Council evaluated and set priorities using SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) principles. A report based on the process will be presented to Council at the regular meeting on February 23, 2015
The planning session began with Mayor Akbal Mund and the City councillors reviewing their election platforms before moving onto “reverse visioning”, in which they were asked to imagine themselves in 2018, at the end of their current terms, and reflect on what had been Council’s accomplishments during that time. Council was also advised to consider current issues and challenges in Vernon when setting priorities. Directors presented their administration proposals for Council consideration, including short-term (2015-2016) strategic priorities as well as four-year goals for their divisions.
KPMG, auditors for the City, provided a report on the City’s financial situation, which included financial indicators such as sustainability, flexibility and vulnerability. Assets, debts, revenues, and per capita tax burden and expenses were also compared to several other B.C. municipalities.