RUTLAND — The Select Board recently adopted its fiscal 2024 Goals & Objectives, with a focus on three key initiatives: investing in capital projects, enhancing staff morale, and modernizing town government. These goals will provide specific and measurable short- and long-term outcomes for the Board, town staff, and town boards and committees to strive to achieve for the community.
Investment in capital
The board lists three goals under the capital project initiative in its Goals and Objectives summary.
The first is to develop a plan for use of the remaining ARPA and town meeting warrant article funds, according to the Goals and Objectives summary presented on the town’s website.
The short-term outcome is to “complete a comprehensive analysis of funding options and present initial recommendations to Select Board.”
The long-term outcome is seen as to “finalize and implement a detailed plan for the allocation and utilization of funds to be expended before December 2026 deadline.”
The second goal is to form a town facility working group to develop a capital improvement plan for building needs.
Under short-term outcome, the board states it will “establish the group, define its scope and objectives, and initiate the gathering of necessary data.”
The long-term objective is to present a complete capital improvement plan, including prioritized projects, estimated costs and timelines.
Finally, the board adds the goal of allocating committed budgetary funds for capital facilities and equipment.
Improvement in staff morale
The board listed improvement of staff morale as its second key initiative, stating: “Our dedicated employees play a vital role in delivering essential services to our residents, and it is crucial to provide them with a supportive and motivating work environment. We seek to explore initiatives such as team-building activities, recognition programs, and human resource related policies to boost morale and foster a positive organizational culture. Investing in our employees will ultimately result in enhanced productivity and service delivery.”
The goals listed in this category are:
Provide funding for professional development opportunities; create initiatives to highlight positive employee impact; adopt employee-friendly work-life
balance policies; implement Human Resources policies and procedures; and create a town “Employee of the Year” award.
Modernize town governance
This initiative lists the most goals of the three, going into detail on ways the board aims to improve the structure of the town’s governance.
Goals listed in this category are:
Explore regionalization opportunities with neighboring communities and statewide agencies; establish a long-term financial planning model; develop a formalized budget process; create a consistent communications strategy for town departments; create a Citizens Academy to boost public education and engagement; develop an economic development marketing solution for properly zoned town-owned property; amend existing bylaws to reflect current needs and practices; and finally, create a town charter to establish governance structure and procedures.
The short- and long-term goals for the latter two initiatives are listed on the town website, and can be viewed by visiting https://bit.ly/2024RutlandGoals.
