Page 16 - City of Watauga FY22 Adopted Budget

BUDGET MESSAGE FOR FY2021-2022

document under the Multi-Year Planning Section. Following are the City Council’s goals
and strategic initiatives, which are supported in the budget:

City Council Goals

Watauga continues to move at a healthy pace toward its strategic goals and objectives
with regards to meeting the needs of citizens, economic development and revitalization,
improving infrastructure, and making Watauga, “A Great Place to Live.” The budget
reflects the City Council’s vision that “The City is focused on building an inclusive
community that delivers an exceptional quality of life with access to amenities and
programs through good governance, fiscal responsibility, and transparency.”

The FY2021-2022 Budget will provide funding for City Council goals and related strategic
Initiatives:

➢ Goal #1: Maintain the Financial Strength of the City – this includes maintaining
sound fiscal management practices, ensuring the City’s bond rating is maintained
or improved on an annual basis, developing an internal audit committee, evaluating
the feasibility of participating in the Opportunity Zones program, and seeking grant
opportunities.

➢ Goal #2: Expand public safety through non-enforcement efforts – Safety
improvements for Watauga residents and visitors.

➢ Goal #3: Develop a sustainable economic development effort –The City will
continue efforts and develop policies and plans to reinvest, revitalize, and improve
aging shopping center sites and foster economic development, redevelopment,
business retention and attraction.

➢ Goal #4: Strengthen Future Planning – The Comprehensive Plan was updated in
FY2018-2019 to include economic development. A review of City ordinances is
underway and will continue this budget year. This fiscal year, a two-year outlook,
Budget FY2021-2022 and Forecast FY2022-2023 is included to identify revenue
shortfalls or expense fluctuations.

➢ Goal #5: Improve Community Involvement – this goal includes initiatives to
develop more volunteer opportunities for citizens and identify technological options
that encourage citizen participation. Funding is included for a citizen survey every
three years and the annual Watauga 101 Citizens academy.

➢ Goal #6: Improve the City Brand – The City is focusing on developing a marketing
strategy to promote the City.

➢ Goal #7: Attract, retain and motivate qualified staff – a Personnel Improvement
Plan is included with this budget to identify areas of staffing needs for all City
departments. This fiscal year, various positions have been identified as crucial to

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