2013 Priorities and Strategies
As directed in the City Charter, each year, City Council determines its areas of priority for the following year and provides them to the Mayor for consideration in the development of the municipal budget.
Enhance the Safety of Our Citizens
- Properly fund public safety services.
- Support innovative approaches to street lighting, code enforcement and neighborhood policing.
- Continue to invest in homeless outreach and services.
- Lead efforts to maintain and improve the storm water drainage and flood control systems in partnership with other local government jurisdictions.
- Support a multi-year capital program for improving roads and bridges.
Grow Economic Prosperity
- Continue to enhance Colorado Springs’ reputation as a business-friendly city.
- Strengthen key business corridors.
- Invest in business development training.
- Remove barriers to in-fill development.
- Plan for oil and gas development.
Build Community and Protect Our Treasured Quality of Life
- Continue to invest in our parks and open spaces, recreation centers and visitor centers directly and through public-private partnerships.
- Respect and enhance neighborhood character through beautification and historic preservation.
- Preserve access to arts and cultural activities.
- Encourage the growth of special events throughout the City; incubate new events that draw residents and visitors to parks and major civic centers.
- Increase opportunity and capacity for informing citizens about public issues and incorporating community input into public decisions.
Support Alternative Transportation
- Maintain current levels of funding for transit services while working on long-term funding options for expanding transit locally and regionally.
- Continue investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to emphasize walkability and multi-modal connectivity, especially to schools and parks.
- Continue to advocate for a privately-operated street car system
Promote Good Governance and Sound Fiscal Practices
- Adopt priorities based budgeting.
- Audit City programs to measure efficiency and effectiveness.
- Identify and implement process improvements in the Council-Mayor form of government.
- Continue to increase efficiency and reduce redundancy through collaborative services.
- Initiate review of the City Charter.
- Continue to investigate governance models for Colorado Springs Utilities.
- Continue to oversee the transition of Memorial Health System.
- Support personnel policies that promote innovation; properly train, challenge and compensate employees.
