The City Council’s goals are an integral step in the annual work of the City. The goals are framed by the City’s adopted Vision Statement: "Cedar Rapids is a vibrant urban hometown – a beacon for people and businesses that are invested in building a greater community for the next generation."
These priorities shape the annual revision to the City's 10-year Financial Plan, known as Key Financial Strategies (KFS). The KFS then sets the context under which the City Council makes budgetary decisions for the next fiscal year. The City functions on a fiscal year that begins July 1 and ends June 30 of the following year.
In July of each year, the City Council adopts its Key Financial Strategies (KFS). These strategies combine Financial Planning and Strategic Planning. Part 1 provides budget (revenue & expense) projections by service level for the next ten years. Each City Department outlines their projected expenses to provide varying levels of service.
These projects then become the basis for the City Council to develop their Key Financial Strategies (KFS), Part 2 of the plan. The KFS outlines specific strategies to meet the City Council’s goals while addressing the budget projections provided in Part 1. The intent of the KFS is to ensure that budget decisions are made with a clear understanding of their long-term consequences.
City Council's FY2009-2010 Strategic Goal Areas
- Flood Recovery and Protection
- Identify Funding and Sources for Flood
- Restore Affordable Housing for Affected Citizens
- Develop and Implement Property Acquisition Plan
- Develop and Implement Neighborhood Revitalization and Enhancement Plans
- Dynamic and Diverse Neighborhoods
- Increased, Streamlined, Proactive Code Enforcement
- Multimodal Connectivity to Schools, Recreation and Work
- Enhance Viability of Existing & New Neighborhood Associations
- Develop Neighborhood Resource Centers
- Eliminate Nuisance Properties
- A Vibrant Downtown
- Housing Unit Construction to Meet Market Demand
- Over 1/2 of Army Corps of Engineers Study Completed
- 95% Occupancy rate for Commercial/Office
- Finalize Transportation Plan
- City Financial Strength
- Reduce Dependency on Property Taxes
- Improve Intergovernmental Relations
- Align with Best Practices for Cities
- A Sustainable Community: Economically, Environmentally, and Socially
- Develop Comprehensive Energy Management Plan
- Evaluate Current Practices
- Protect Natural Resources for future generations
- Citizen Involvement
- Active Boards & Commissions
- Utilize Empirical Data
- Develop Comprehensive Plan for Connecting People to their Government
- Reinvest and Maintain Public Infrastructure
- Update the City's Comprehensive Plan (incorporate subordinate plans)
- Develop Comprehensive Environmental Management Plan
- Develop Comprehensive Building Facilities Management Plan