DRAFT July 7, 20 23
City of Victorville
Draft Strategic Plan
FY 202 3-24 through FY 202 5-26
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City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Prepared for the City of Victorville by
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City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Table of
Contents
Message from the City Manager .................................................... 1 About Our City Government .......................................................... 2 About the Victorville Community ................................................... 3 Opportunities and Challenges ........................................................ 4 Vision, Mission, and Values ............................................................ 5 City Council Norms for Effective Governance ................................. 6 Multi-Year Goals ............................................................................ 7 City Council’s Top Priority Strategies for FY 2023-24 ....................... 8 Goal A: Financial Sustainability ...................................................... 9 Goal B: Public Safety .................................................................... 10 Goal C: Community and Economic Development .......................... 11 Goal D: Reduce Homelessness ...................................................... 12 Goal E: Invest in Infrastructure ..................................................... 13 Goal F: Communication and Outreach .......................................... 14 Goal G: Organizational Effectiveness and Sustainability ............... 15 Tracking and Implementation ...................................................... 16 Conclusion ................................................................................... 17 Attachment A: City Organization Chart ........................................ 18 Attachment B: Strategic Planning Process .................................... 19
Message from the City Manager Page 1
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Message from the City Manager
Strategic Planning Guidance
Provided By
City Executive Team
Keith Metzler, City Manager
Jenele Davidson, Deputy City
Manager
Sophie Smith, Deputy City Manager
Jorge Duran, Code Enforcement
Official
Brian Gengler, City Engineer
Brenda Hampton, Director of
Electric Utility Services
Mazharul Islam, Information
Technology Officer
Sue Jones, Public Information
Officer
Doug Mathews, Public Works and
Water Director
Donna Meester, Director of
Community Services
William Racowschi, Interim Fire
Chief
Eric Ray, Airport Director
Joe Slegers, Building Official
Jennifer Thompson, City Clerk
Josie Trevino, Human Resources
Officer
Scott Webb, City Planner
John Wickum, Police Captain
This three-year Strategic Plan builds on our first Strategic Plan adopted in 2020 which was for three years. In that first plan, the Council established a new mission statement, vision for the future, a set of values, and a set of goals. In this new Strategic Plan, we have seven goals, each of which has a set of strategies for achieving the goals. This Strategic Plan covers the years 2023- 24 through 2025-26.
Our plan focuses on City Council priorities of financial sustainability; public safety; community and economic
development; reduce homelessness; invest in infrastructure; communications and outreach; and organizational effectiveness and sustainability.
I look forward to implementing this Strategic Plan in partnership with our Mayor and City Council, our leadership team, and our entire City staff to make Victorville even better in the future. We have much to be proud of and even more as we move forward together.
Keith C. Metzler
City Manager
Vision, Mission, and Values
Top Priorities
Strategies
Implementation Action Plan
Multi-Year Goals
About Our City Government Page 2
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
About Our City Government
Victorville City Council
The City of Victorville is a charter city that operates under the Council-Manager form of government. A five- member City Council serves the community. The City Council appoints the City Manager who functions as the chief executive officer for the City and ensures that the policies developed by the City Council are executed.
City Services
The City provides a wide range of services including parks and recreation, police, fire, public works, water utilities, economic development, and community development. The City of Victorville also operates the Southern California Logistics Airport, the former George Air Force Base that now serves as a regional industrial airport. An organization chart showing the City of Victorville functions is in Attachment A.
Mayor
Deborah Jones
District 2
Mayor Pro Tem
Elizabeth Becerra
At-Large
Councilmember
Blanca Gomez
At-Large
Councilmember
Bob Harriman
District 4
Councilmember
Leslie Irving
At-Large
About the Victorville Community Page 3
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
About the Victorville Community
Total
Estimated
2023
Population:
137,193
Race/Ethnicity
•55.3% Hispanic or
Latino
•21.4% White
•16% Black
•4.6% Asian
•2.7% Other
Median
Household
Income:
$61,206
Fifth Largest
City in San
Bernardino
County and
the Largest
City in the
Upper Desert
(population)
Source: US Census Bureau and California Department of Finance Opportunities and Challenges Page 4
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Opportunities and Challenges
The City of Victorville has
numerous opportunities and
several challenges.
Opportunities
• Utilize Measure P funding to support vital
services and enhance public safety
• Leverage the airport for economic
development
• Foster job creation and industry growth
• Build on significant investment in homeless
services
• Develop regional approaches to major issues
facing high desert communities
Challenges
• Continuing need to invest in infrastructure
• Insufficient affordable housing
• Homelessness
• Need for additional higher-paying industrial-
based jobs
• Neighborhood blight
Vision, Mission, and Values Page 5
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Vision, Mission, and Values
The vision statement is aspirational for the City of Victorville and indicates the future direction of the agency. The mission is a statement of the purpose of the agency. Values reflect the behaviors that guide officials and staff of the City of Victorville. The vision and mission statements were updated in 2023 and are provided below. The values listed were adopted in 2020 and reaffirmed in 2023.
Vision Leader of the High Desert region in providing a balanced quality of life for its residents through job creation
and community development. (revised)
Mission
Serve the Community of Victorville through commitment,
engagement, and transparency, while providing the highest quality public services to businesses and residents. (revised) Values
Excellent Customer Service: We commit to being responsive to individuals, listening to the community, and serving all with compassion and excellence.
Integrity: We model ethical behavior in our words and actions. We lead by example to positively represent the city and community.
Accountability: We work to the highest standards of proficiency and expertise. We are accountable to the public, the City of Victorville and ourselves.
Transparency: We safeguard the public trust through open communication and honest business practices. Our credibility depends on our conduct and stewardship of all resources.
City Council Norms for
Effective Governance Page 6
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
City Council Norms for
Effective Governance
The City Council held a Council governance workshop on March 28, 2023, to review and update its operating norms, review roles and responsibilities of city leaders, develop a shared understanding of best governance practices, and strengthen teamwork. As a result of the Council’s discussions, the Council adopted a revised set of 13 norms for effective governance on May 16, 2023, as shown below.
1. We conduct ourselves in a professional manner during meetings and beyond.
2. We respect open government both in word and deed.
3. We expect civil, intelligent public discourse.
4. We are efficient in our meetings.
5. We treat all members of the public with respect.
6. We contribute to a positive workplace environment.
7. We yield ourselves to the Council-Manager form of government, and Councilmembers do not interfere with the role of the City Manager or any professional duties of City staff.
8. We keep confidential matters confidential.
9. We foster a good working relationship between Councilmembers and staff to foster good goal setting, policy making and service delivery.
10. We understand that the Council acts as a body, all members are equal, and policy direction is only given by a majority vote of the Council.
11. We understand that staff is obligated to implement decisions made by the Council, even if one of us doesn’t agree with the Council’s decision.
12. We are prepared for Council meetings and ask our questions of staff in advance so we can avoid surprising staff at the meetings. We know this is good teamwork.
13. We act with high integrity in all matters and comply with our code of ethics.
Multi-Year Goals Page 7
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Multi-Year Goals
The City of Victorville has seven broad multi-year goals representing key categories for the City. Each of the goals contains a set of strategies intended to help the City make progress in achieving the broad goals over a period of years.
The City Council’s top priorities for FY 2023-24 to FY 2024-25 are shown on the next page.
Goal A. Financial Sustainability
Foster fiscal health through disciplined long-term planning, cost control, increased revenues, and cost recovery.
Goal B. Public Safety
Implement public safety strategies to support a thriving and growing community.
Goal C. Community and Economic Development
Support the economic vitality and preservation of the
community for all its members.
Goal D. Reduce Homelessness
Implement effective solutions to reduce homelessness.
Goal E. Invest in Infrastructure
Create a healthy and livable community by maintaining the city’s assets through investment in infrastructure and
innovations.
Goal F. Communication and Outreach
Build strong connections with community partners, residents, and employees.
Goal G. Organizational Effectiveness and Sustainability Provide high-quality services through a commitment to local government best practices and employee development,
support, and retention.
City Council’s Top Priority Strategies for FY 2023-24 Page 8
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
City Council’s Top Priority Strategies
for FY 2023-24
During its July 18, 2023, workshop, the City Council identified its top priority strategies upon which to focus for the first year of implementation in FY 2023-24. [To be added after City Council workshop.]
• Strategy X
• Strategy X
Goal X: Placeholder
• Strategy X
• Strategy X
Goal X: Placeholder
• Strategy X
• Strategy X
Goal X: Placeholder
Goal A: Financial Sustainability Page 9
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Goal A: Financial Sustainability
Foster fiscal health through disciplined long-term planning, cost control, increased revenues, and cost recovery.
Goal A has six strategies to be achieved over the three-year period of the strategic plan. Some of these are well underway and will continue into subsequent years. Others will begin later in the Strategic Plan period.
Strategies Work Planned
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
Strategy 1. Develop a multi-year plan and specific
strategies to address pension obligations in light of
increasing pension costs and resulting pressures on
the general fund.
✓
Strategy 2. Implement proactive business licensing
activities for rental properties to increase revenue
opportunities.
✓
Strategy 3. Establish fund balance reserve targets for
all major funds in addition to the General Fund. ✓
Strategy 4. Consider revising General Fund reserve
policy to provide that funds in excess of target be
utilized to address capital replacement and unfunded
pension liabilities.
✓
Strategy 5. Explore potential for creating a
Community Facilities District or other financing
mechanisms for installation, operation, and
maintenance of various public improvements.
✓
Strategy 6. Evaluate underfunded Landscape
Maintenance Assessment Districts to improve ability
to finance desired City beautification projects.
✓
Goal B: Public Safety Page 10
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Goal B: Public Safety
Implement public safety strategies to support a thriving and growing community.
Goal B has seven strategies to be achieved over the three-year period of the strategic plan. Some of these are well underway but will continue into subsequent years. Others will begin later in the Strategic Plan period.
Strategies Work Planned
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
Strategy 1. Prepare a Standard of Cover to help
shape the future growth of the Victorville Fire
Department.
✓ ✓
Strategy 2. Re-envision animal care and control by
expanding outreach and service levels, including
increased animal licensing.
✓ ✓
Strategy 3. Evaluate current animal shelter
conditions to identify appropriate solutions for
long-term needs.
✓ ✓
Strategy 4. Complete site feasibility, design, and
financing for a new police station. ✓
Strategy 5. Evaluate feasibility of a community-
wide paramedicine program. ✓
Strategy 6. Expand Emergency Medical Services
response capabilities. ✓
Strategy 7. Continue seeking funding to invest in
technology that will assist efficient and effective
police operations.
✓ ✓ ✓
Goal C: Community and Economic Development Page 11
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Goal C: Community and Economic
Development
Support the economic vitality and preservation of the community for all its members.
Goal C has eight strategies to be achieved over the three-year period of the strategic plan. Some of these are well underway but will continue into subsequent years. Others will begin later in the Strategic Plan period.
Strategies Work Planned
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
Strategy 1. Implement the Community Revitalization
and Investment Authority (CRIA) for Old Town. ✓
Strategy 2. Implement Old Town façade
improvement program and seek funding to sustain
the program in future years.
✓
Strategy 3. Complete the 7th Street – Old Town
streetscape to provide an upgraded appearance for
the area.
✓
Strategy 4. Complete next phases of large runway
reconstruction at the Southern California Logistics
Airport.
✓
Strategy 5. Complete Airport Layout Plan (ALP). ✓
Strategy 6. Implement the vacant property
registration system. ✓
Strategy 7: Attract new businesses to the
community and work to retain existing businesses. ✓ ✓ ✓ Strategy 8: Develop regulations and standards to
manage and promote street vendors. ✓
Goal D: Reduce Homelessness Page 12
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Goal D: Reduce Homelessness
Implement effective solutions to reduce homelessness.
Goal D has five strategies to be achieved over the three-year period of the strategic plan. Some of these are well underway but will continue into subsequent years. Others will begin later in the Strategic Plan period.
Strategies Work Planned
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
Strategy 1. Complete construction and open
Wellness Center Campus including low-barrier
emergency shelter, recuperative care facility,
medical clinic, and wraparound supportive
services.
✓
Strategy 2. Seek funding for and implement Phase
2 (interim housing) of Wellness Center. ✓ ✓
Strategy 3. Expand on the existing homelessness
outreach network to effectively engage the
homeless community in services.
✓
Strategy 4. Evaluate the effectiveness of
coordination of homelessness services. ✓ ✓ ✓
Strategy 5. Strengthen collaboration with the
County and other entities to identify new funding
opportunities and expand partnerships for
homelessness services.
✓ ✓ ✓
Goal E: Invest in Infrastructure Page 13
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Goal E: Invest in Infrastructure
Create a healthy and livable community by maintaining the city’s assets through investment in infrastructure and innovations.
Goal E has eleven strategies to be achieved over the three-year period of the strategic plan. Some of these are well underway but will continue into subsequent years. Others will begin later in the Strategic Plan period.
Strategies Work Planned
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
Strategy 1. Develop a Comprehensive Facilities and
Maintenance Master Plan. ✓ ✓
Strategy 2. Implement the Library Master Plan to
complete the relocation and expansion of the library to improve and enhance library services in the community.
✓
Strategy 3. Complete the final phase of advanced
metering infrastructure (AMI) to improve water efficiency and reduce costs over the long term.
✓
Strategy 4. Continue implementing and seeking grant
funding to complete the citywide bikeway network to
enhance livability of the city.
✓ ✓ ✓
Strategy 5. Complete design and begin construction of the new recycled water reservoir to enhance water resources. ✓ ✓ Strategy 6. Site, design and construct a consolidated
recycling center to ensure compliance with State
requirements.
✓
Strategy 7. Implement priority projects identified in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. ✓ ✓ ✓
Strategy 8. Complete Kern River interconnection project with Victorville Municipal Utility Services. ✓
Strategy 9. Develop a reclaimed water master plan and
identify funding to expand the City’s reclaimed water
system.
✓ ✓
Strategy 10. Explore long-term solutions for water rights. ✓ ✓ ✓ Strategy 11. Continue seeking funding to invest in
expanding, improving, and preserving our roadway
system.
✓ ✓ ✓
Goal F: Communication and Outreach Page 14
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Goal F: Communication and
Outreach
Build strong connections with community partners, residents, and employees.
Goal F has four strategies to be achieved over the three-year period of the strategic plan. Some of these are well underway but will continue into subsequent years. Others will begin later in the Strategic Plan period.
Strategies Work Planned
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
Strategy 1. Implement a city app to better respond
to resident requests regarding code enforcement,
public works, and other items.
✓
Strategy 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of
“Victorville 101” civic engagement program. ✓ ✓
Strategy 3. Explore opportunities to add or modify
community events and activities. ✓ ✓ ✓
Strategy 4. Evaluate existing recreational
programming and consider programming efforts to
better connect with Elementary & High School
programming.
✓
Goal G: Organizational Effectiveness and Sustainability Page 15
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Goal G: Organizational Effectiveness
and Sustainability
Provide high-quality services through a commitment to local government best practices and employee development, support, and retention.
Goal G has six strategies to be achieved over the three-year period of the strategic plan. Some of these are well underway but will continue into subsequent years. Others will begin later in the Strategic Plan period.
Strategies Work Planned
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
Strategy 1. Conduct employee stay and exit
interviews and provide feedback to departments
for organizational improvement.
✓ ✓ ✓
Strategy 2. Establish an ongoing training program
that is standardized across the organization, to
include comprehensive workplace safety training.
✓ ✓ ✓
Strategy 3. Implement morale and team-building
activities for employees. ✓ ✓ ✓
Strategy 4. Establish meaningful ways to recognize
outstanding employee performance. ✓ ✓ ✓
Strategy 5. Expand the intern program to provide
learning and skill building opportunities for local
students and be part of a “grow our own talent”
initiative for City positions.
✓ ✓ ✓
Strategy 6. Establish professional development
plans for employees to support their growth and
demonstrate commitment to employees’ careers.
✓ ✓ ✓
Tracking and Implementation Page 16
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Tracking and Implementation
Implementation Action Plan
An Implementation Action Plan, contained in a separate document, provides the details about implementation. It includes the starting year, lead person and key tasks for each strategy. Timelines may be adjusted based on changing priorities, budget, and personnel availability.
Tracking and Reporting Progress
Progress reports will be provided to the City Council and City employees annually and in other communications on a regular basis.
Conclusion Page 17
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Conclusion
This Strategic Plan is designed to guide the work and future of the City of Victorville. The plan articulates the organization's vision, mission, and values and establishes a set of goals, priorities, and strategies to guide its work over the next three years.
The plan will be updated periodically as we accomplish our priorities and as needs change.
The City of Victorville is committed to continuing collaboration with our many partners in achieving the goals in this Strategic Plan.
Thank you to everyone who contributed
to this important planning effort.
Photos provided by the City of Victorville.
Attachment A: City Organization Chart Page 18
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Attachment A: City Organization Chart
Attachment B: Strategic Planning Process Page 19
City of Victorville Strategic Plan FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 DRAFT July 2023
Attachment B: Strategic Planning Process
The strategic planning process included gathering input from our Councilmembers, executive team, staff, and the community.
Priorities were set in a City Council workshop.
City Council Input
Baker Tilly conducted individual interviews with members of the City Council to seek their input about accomplishments, major challenges facing the City and key priority areas for the next three years. Councilmembers were also asked to complete a brief questionnaire to provide feedback about the City’s vision, mission, and values.
Status Update Worksheet
Executive team members completed a status update worksheet for the strategies in the Strategic Plan for FY 2020 - 2023, providing input about accomplishments, items in progress, and new items for consideration in this new Strategic Plan.
Employee Survey
All employees were offered an opportunity to provide input through a confidential online survey. A total of 247 employees responded providing valuable feedback.
Community Survey
Members of the community were invited to provide input through a confidential online survey. A total of 162 community members responded providing feedback that the City used in updating the strategic plan.
Governance and Strategic Planning Sessions
The City Council met on March 28, 2023, to review its operating norms and on July 18, 2023, to review the new Strategic Plan and identify its priorities for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25.
Regular Updates
An implementation action plan has been prepared containing timelines and lead assignments. It will be monitored and updated regularly. Each year, the strategic plan will be reviewed to track progress and adjust timelines as needed.