Page 16 - CityofWataugaAdoptedBudgetFY24

BUDGET MESSAGE FOR FY2023-2024

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 FY2023-2024 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.

➢ 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 identifies areas of staffing needs for all City departments. With continued
staffing challenges, a review of the City’s recruitment and retention strategy will be
conducted, and employee satisfaction surveys will be conducted every two years.

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