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City of Soledad Launches New Citywide Strategic Plan to Guide Long-Term Growth

 

Soledad, CA – The 2025-2030 Soledad Strategic Plan establishes a clear vision, mission, and set of priorities to guide City operations, resource allocation, and decision-making over the next five years. The Strategic Plan was developed collaboratively by the City Council and staff, incorporating input from community stakeholders and residents gathered through various planning efforts to ensure it reflects Soledad’s shared values and long-term vision. Each priority is supported by specific goals, measurable objectives, and key initiatives that align with the City’s budget, capital planning, and departmental work programs. Implementation will be monitored through regular progress reports and performance indicators to ensure accountability and transparency.


 


The development of the new Strategic Plan featured extensive collaboration with the City Council and staff, drawing on surveys and plans created in partnership with community stakeholders as the foundation. The process was facilitated by Alex Terwilliger, from the University of Kansas Public Management Center, and included:


 


    A City Council retreat to identify priorities and desired outcomes.

    A staff leadership workshop to align operational goals.

    Community engagement through surveys. A review of existing plans, performance data, and service delivery outcomes.


“The City of Soledad’s Strategic Plan reflects our shared vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient future. More than a document, it is our commitment to move forward with transparency, accountability, and innovation, ensuring every decision aligns with our community’s values.


Built through the voices of our residents, this plan captures the ideas and aspirations that define Soledad, charting a clear path toward economic, social, and environmental growth. It lays the foundation for our next chapter—one shaped by collaboration and shared progress.


As your Mayor, I am honored to present this plan as a reflection of our community’s spirit and our belief in Soledad’s bright and promising future.” said Mayor Anna Velazquez.


 


The Strategic Plan is structured around the Siempre Soledad General Plan Guiding Principles, which were shaped by input from hundreds of community stakeholders. These Guiding Principles establish nine foundational pillars that align directly with the nine elements of the Strategic Plan (Economy, Housing, Environmental Justice and Equity, Community Places, Mobility, Safety, Youth, Health, and Education) and support the same overarching community vision. A tenth element—focused on internal operations—was added to ensure that City staff and the Council have the organizational capacity and resources needed to effectively implement the Strategic Plan’s goals and objectives. For a more in-depth description of the Soledad General Plan Guiding Principles please visit Documents - Soledad General Plan 2045.


 


To ensure the Strategic Plan is both action-oriented and provides a long-term roadmap for more complex initiatives, the plan spans a five-year horizon (2025–2030). Projects and objectives are categorized by priority level to guide implementation:


 


    Urgent Priorities: To be completed within the next 1–2 years

    Semi-Urgent Priorities: To be addressed within 2–4 years

    Long-Term Priorities: To be pursued within 5 years or more


The 2025–2030 Soledad Strategic Plan serves as a comprehensive roadmap for achieving the City’s vision. Its ten overarching strategic priorities reflect the community’s core values and the City organization’s ongoing commitment to service excellence, sustainability, and quality of life.


 

Next Steps Summary:

The Council approved the plan at its November 5 meeting with the understanding that it is a working document that will be updated and revised as needed to meet the needs of our residents. Following this approval, staff will incorporate the plan’s goals into departmental work plans and the annual budget, establish reporting tools—including an online dashboard—to track and share progress, and publish the final Strategic Plan on the City’s website for stakeholders. The City of Soledad welcomes any questions from the media regarding the Soledad Strategic Plan.

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