Emporia city commissioners have embarked on a relatively short-term strategic planning process.
Commissioners met for over three hours in a special meeting in mid-March and are planning more conversations soon. City Manager Trey Cocking, who is now getting into his fourth month in his position, says this round of talks is roughly half the traditional time frame for strategic planning.
With that in mind, there is a lot on tap for commissioners to look at. Cocking says employee retention is critical for the city, which has been down as many as 25 employees at times this year. Capital improvements are another major issue, with Cocking mentioning water line issues and needed upgrades at both fire stations during a recent interview with KVOE News.
Economic development is an ongoing goal, notably making sure the city works together in one direction with the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Main Street, the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas and other partners. Cocking also says diversity needs to be a focal point and the city needs to create “pipelines” for people to realize they are included and the city is working on their behalf, regardless of their background.
