What goals should South Ogden City Council set in 2011?

This weekend is the annual city council retreat.  This is where the City Council, Mayor and other Department Heads really hash out a strategic plan for the year.  This year’s agenda can be found via the South Ogden City Facebook page: http://fb.me/QSo4q2Qh

You can see from the agenda a lot of time will be spent on revising South Ogden’s mission and values, then setting goals based on these items.  I have been impressed with City Manager Matt Dixon’s efforts to focus the council on real specifics of how to improve our city.   Will the retreat produce the kind of goals and energy we need?  Who knows, but I feel we are headed in a good direction.

Do you have things you would like to see the city focus on?  What kind of strategic goals should they set?

Now a lot of us can jump and say…I want a swimming pool!  But a swimming pool isn’t what is going to make South Ogden truly better.  (But it would be nice)

Here are three topics I would recommend to the council:

·  Economic Development:  We have tons of retail and potential retail space available to some real great companies.  It just needs to be sold.  I have written a number of blog posts about this and it will be crucial to our success.

·   Increase Fiscal Responsibility:  It appears there has been a lot of freedom when it comes to spending and poor planning when it comes to budgets.    Our current deficit spending is unacceptable and in some case I feel could have been avoidable.

·   Curb the increase in Rental Properties: I am deeply concerned at the growing trend for South Ogden homes to turn into rentals.  As housing prices continue to drop, investors will begin purchasing homes and turning them into rental properties.  Many of our current landlords are absentee landlords and the properties often go un kept and decline even more in ascetics and value.   In my six years in South Ogden I have seen this happen a lot.  Something needs to happen immediately to stop this trend.  Better economic development, good landlord programs and enforcement of ordinances can make a difference here.

I am eager to hear your thoughts.