City Manager Provides Update on Strategic Planning and City Staffing

The City of Beloit has begun an important strategic planning process that will establish a roadmap for our organization and community over the next three to five years. Our residents have been fully engaged in this process. We started the public input opportunities at the end of July; over 500 surveys were taken, which exceeded expectations. Through community engagement, employee input, and City Council discussions, this process will help identify our priorities, evaluate the services we provide, and better align our limited resources and organizational capacity with the community’s needs and expectations.

 

The City Council and City leadership team recognize that our organization faces a variety of challenges across multiple service areas and departments. Those challenges also present opportunities to strengthen our organization and rethink how we serve our community. Moving forward requires us to look at the City holistically, consider new ideas and ways of doing things, and ensure our services reflect the values and priorities of the Beloit community. It also means being thoughtful about strategic investments in our people, organizational culture, infrastructure, technology, and other resources necessary to provide quality services now and into the future.

 

As part of these broader conversations, the City has considered interest expressed by some community members and businesses in conducting an independent, third-party assessment of the Beloit Police Department.

 

While the City recognizes the potential value of such a review, the City Council believes the priority at this time should be completing the strategic planning process and allowing that work to guide our next steps. The strategic plan will provide a broader framework for evaluating City services and determining where additional resources, organizational changes, or outside expertise may be beneficial.

 

The Police Department is also navigating significant organizational change, and there is a growing sense of positivity and renewed commitment within the department. The officers who remain are committed to moving the organization forward, strengthening the department, and continuing to improve how they serve the Beloit community. We commend their efforts, dedication and professionalism as shown with their recent work on a homicide investigation that led to an arrest last week.

 

Once the strategic plan is completed, the City will be in a stronger position to evaluate the needs of City departments and determine how best to support them. This approach does not close the door on engaging independent consultants or other outside expertise in the future to help departments move forward, whether by augmenting existing resources and capabilities, identifying opportunities for improvement, or helping align departmental operations and services with the City’s overall strategic plan.

 

We appreciate the continued engagement of our residents, businesses, employees, and community partners as we work through this process together.

 

Sincerely,

Daniel Ortiz Hernandez
Beloit City Manager