Goal Setting & Accomplishments

In February of 2024, the City of North Liberty engaged the East Central Iowa Council of Governments to facilitate goal-setting for calendar years 2024 through 2026. North Liberty has an established track record of planning for future opportunities and this project was intended to build on that success.

The vast bulk of the City’s resources go to providing essential services to the community such as police and fire protection, street maintenance, water and sewer services, parks and recreation opportunities, and library services. The action steps in the strategic plan focus on how the City’s resources can be leveraged to advance the City’s vision through new, expanded, or reinvented services or policies.

Performance alignment is the key to high functioning local government. Alignment starts with a vision of the community as articulated in relevant mission, vision, and values statements as well as the city’s comprehensive plan. Council goal setting should translate the vision into strategic goals and action steps. This step promotes alignment between elected officials, who are representing the interests of the community, and the staff leadership team. It is then incumbent on the staff leadership team to implement the Council’s goal through department and individual work plans.

Through the goal-setting process, leadership used the vision outlined in the City’s comprehensive plan North Liberty: Connected to Tomorrow to guide the goal-setting process.

The goal setting process involved two facilitated sessions: one with staff leadership and one with the elected officials as well as the City Administrator. All participants were given reflective questions prior to the workshops. The four-hour staff goal setting workshop was held on March 4. Staff leadership reviewed accomplishments from the past two years, participated in an environmental scan, brainstormed potential future goals, and prioritized those goals. A similar workshop was held with the City Council on April 11. Council members reflected on potential challenges and opportunities as part of the environmental scan. Council members reviewed the work completed by staff and added their accomplishments and goals. Council members finished their work by prioritizing the potential goals provided by both staff and council members.

Goals 2024 – 2026

Consider future of Fire Station 1 and address fire staffing needs: Explore options for renovation, expansion, or relocation to better serve the growing community’s fire protection needs. Implement a plan to address current and future fire staffing shortages.
Construct roundabout at Forevergreen Road and Jasper: In partnership with the cities of Tiffin and Coralville, implement a safety improvement project at the intersection of Forevergreen Road and Jasper by constructing a roundabout to reduce traffic accidents and improve traffic flow.
Establish and adopt citywide climate goals: Set ambitious yet achievable goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy use in North Liberty. Develop a plan outlining strategies to achieve these goals.
Increase teen engagement and programming: Continue to Identify the interests and needs of North Liberty teens. Develop and implement engaging programs, after-school activities, leadership development workshops, or volunteer opportunities to increase teen participation in the community.
Create and implement a public art program: Establish a public art program that incorporates art installations, murals, or sculptures into public spaces throughout North Liberty. This can enhance the city’s visual appeal, foster cultural identity, and encourage community pride.
Explore Economic Development Marketing and Engagement Opportunities: In collaboration with Greater IC, Think IC, Better Together 2030 and other potential economic development partners, evaluate marketing strategies and opportunities to better engage and support the North Liberty Business Community.
Add outdoor basketball courts and other recreation amenities: Identify potential locations and secure funding for the construction of new outdoor basketball courts and other desired recreational facilities, such as tennis courts, skate parks, or dog parks.
Shift transit funding from fixed route to on- demand service: Evaluate the effectiveness of the current fixed-route transit system. Explore a pilot program or phased transition towards a more flexible on-demand service model that caters to real-time rider needs and potentially improves efficiency.