City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: July 7, 2026
From: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Lilia Hernandez, Deputy City Administrator Subject
City-wide Strategic Plan
Recommendation
Receive a presentation and adopt the City-wide Strategic Plan.
Background
As directed by the City Council, the City engaged Kelly Associates Management Group (Consultant) to assist with a goal-setting process, a priority for the Council as it shapes Vernon’s path forward. The Consultant was tasked with facilitating a goal-setting process, gathering stakeholder feedback, and assisting with the development of a City-wide Strategic Plan.
The goal-setting process began with the preparation of a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), which was shared with the City Council, executive and other staff, and community stakeholders, including the Chamber of Commerce, and followed by interviews with these same stakeholders. In addition, the City hosted three community meetings to gather input from residents and businesses. Resident meetings were held on the evening of February 2, 2026, at the Vernon Village Park Apartments and on February 5, 2026 in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. A business breakfast at City Hall was also held on the morning of February 5, 2026.
Reponses from the SWOT analysis and feedback from the community meetings were compiled, summarized, and presented to the City Council at a Special Meeting on March 3, 2026. During the Special Meeting, the City Council was asked to identify key goals which were approved as follows:
1. Strengthen City Credibility and Partnerships
2. Promote Economic Growth and Revenue Generation
3. Advance Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
4. Enhance Community Infrastructure and Facilities
5. Strengthen Organizational Efficiency and Financial Planning
6. Optimize Public Utility Operations to Ensure Affordable Services Based on the Council Goals noted above, the City’s Executive team worked with the Consultant to develop a list of specific objectives to achieve said goals. The objectives were presented to City Council at their meeting on April 21, 2026 and included a schedule, associated costs, and responsible City department. The City Council provided feedback on the proposed objectives.
Additionally, based on the feedback from Council and the community throughout the goal-setting process, the City’s Executive team worked with the Consultant to identify a set of Core Values, and formulate Mission and Vision Statements reflective of the input received. At the July 7, 2026 Council Meeting, staff will present the final City-wide Five-Year Strategic Plan for adoption.
The Final City of Vernon 2026-2031 Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan) comprises the City’s Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Core Values, Goals and Objectives. The Strategic Plan establishes a vision for Vernon’s future, serves as a roadmap to guide decision-making at all levels throughout the City, and will help ensure that the City remains responsive to the needs of its stakeholders. Once adopted, the Strategic Plan will be shared with the City’s residents, business community, and City staff.
The Strategic Plan is essential to the City’s growth and stability over the next five years and, as a living document, may be modified at any time as new priorities arise. The Strategic plan will also be formally evaluated each year, typically during the budget process.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. Strategic Plan tasks for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 were included in the approved budget for the current fiscal year and tasks for subsequent years will be budgeted accordingly.
Attachments
1. City of Vernon Strategic Plan