Similarly, if quarterly reporting will become part of implementation, I encourage those reports to consistently present trend data rather than simply listing completed activities. A dashboard showing key economic indicators over time would allow both the Council and the public to evaluate whether the Strategic Plan is producing measurable improvements rather than simply documenting staff workload.
Another area deserving continued attention is balancing fiscal objectives with land use decisions. The report correctly emphasizes the importance of preserving industrial and commercial land because those uses generate significant long-term General Fund revenues. As future development proposals arise, maintaining consistency between adopted economic policy and individual land use decisions will become increasingly important.
Finally, economic development strategies inevitably depend upon external market conditions outside the City's direct control, including interest rates, regional employment trends, commercial real estate markets, investor confidence, and private property owner decisions. Because many of these factors cannot be controlled by City government, measurable performance indicators become even more important in distinguishing between outcomes attributable to City policy and those driven primarily by broader economic conditions.
I support adoption of the Strategic Plan. I simply encourage the Council to ensure that future implementation reports provide objective, quantitative measures demonstrating whether the Plan is actually advancing the City's stated fiscal sustainability goals rather than relying primarily upon descriptions of completed activities.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Henry Soong