Page 225 - CityofSouthlakeFY26AdoptedBudget

Planning & Development Services - Department Goals

CITY-WIDE GOAL: Ensure that strategic management planning efforts reflect the community’s
desired outcomes, anticipate trends and risks, and so that system elements produce
measurable outcomes and successes can be clearly communicated.

Department Goal: Strengthen current planning and development efforts to guide the city’s buildout in
alignment with Southlake’s vision. City Department Overview

Implementation Strategy:
• Provide thorough, accurate, informative and timely reviews, reports, and inspections, ensuring
development is consistent with the comprehensive plan and adopted codes and ordinances.
• Maintain, review, and improve tracking mechanisms for development cases, code enforcement actions,
and building permits and inspections.
• Analyze development trends to monitor ongoing progress concerning land area, building area, and
improved property value.

CITY-WIDE GOAL: Improve accountability structures for stronger efficacy by streamlining
systems and reinforcing strategic alignment throughout all levels of the organization, through
implementation tools such as departmental business/work plans, business unit scorecards,
comprehensive planning, and other accountability mechanisms.

Department Goal: Achieve the city’s vision through aligning current planning efforts with the Southlake
Comprehensive Plan.

Implementation Strategy:
• Effectively convey the Comprehensive Plan to developers, citizens, and other stakeholders through
clear communication and easily accessible public platforms.
• Incorporate appropriate Comprehensive Plan references in staff reviews, reports, and presentations.
• Assist in developing and updating Comprehensive Plan elements as scheduled and establish any
specific objectives in the department’s workplan and scorecard.

CITY-WIDE GOAL: Provide a proactive system of support to meet the workplace emotional
and physical needs of the work force, including career enrichment and training support.

Department Goal: Cultivate a positive work environment for new and existing employees that provides
opportunities to build connections with coworkers, encourages career growth and development, and
fosters employee engagement.

Implementation Strategy:
• Encourage employees to seek out collaboration with industry peers, low-cost high-value educational
opportunities, and other work-related events to promote career enrichment.
• Organize engagement activities that enable employees to network, build connections, and gain
insights into city and departmental projects and initiatives.
• Explore opportunities with other cities and professional organizations for shared educational
opportunities and best practices for process improvements.

FY 2026 City of Southlake | Budget Book 225