Strategic Priorities Plan

Transcription

1 Priorities Plan REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL OKANAGAN 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 3Z4 Tel: Fax:

2 Greetings from Our Board T HE CENTRAL OKANAGAN is unique in its natural beauty, vibrant Interior culture and inviting blend of urban places and rural spaces, boasting an unparalleled quality of life. Entrusted with its care, our Priorities Plan for the coming years is the framework for our commitment to providing quality and sustainable services to meet the needs Gail Given, Chair of this distinctive region. Our Priorities Plan provides direction for our Board and our staff, ensuring we focus our energies on what is really important. It s our way of combining everything that we currently do and envisioning a future that will enhance and strengthen our services, our people, our communities, and ultimately our region. Through our mission, vision and value statements, it also provides a moral compass for what inspires us and what we value. This current Plan has been informed and inspired by the valuable input from the RDCO Board of Directors on their priorities, supported with the knowledge gleaned from the previous Vision 2020 Plan developed in 2010 and the more recent 2014 Regional Growth Strategy, which pertains to land use and community planning. In keeping with our values to be responsive, our plan is also nimble. We will review it RDCO Priorities Plan Mission Vision Values How we organize for success Our commitment to quality Priorities Objectives Initiatives annually to reflect on our accomplishments and identify new ones through our ongoing communication and collaboration at the Board table, with our staff, our partners and the communities we serve. Our focus for the future is on providing financially and socially sustainable services, ensuring we can maintain and grow the quality of life we currently enjoy. We look forward to the next few years with enthu - siasm for our journey to make this happen. SEATED LEFT TO RIGHT: Duane Ophus, Tracy Gray, Colin Basran, Luke Stack, Brad Sieben STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT: Doug Findlater, Gail Given, Maxine DeHart, James Baker, Patty Hanson, Wayne Carson, Cindy Fortin, Chris Derickson On behalf of our Board, thank you to everyone who has helped develop our plan and to those who will be working with us to make it a reality. We are honoured to be stewards of our environment and our economy and to build relationships and partnerships that will help us fulfill our collective vision to be a leader in good governance and effective service delivery.

3 What Inspires Us Our Mission To provide effective and efficient services that meet the needs of our citizens, in a manner that nurtures growth, opportunities and prosperity, while maintaining and enhancing the unique Central Okanagan lifestyle and environment. Our Vision To be an acknowledged leader in providing good governance and efficient and cost-effective services valued by our municipal and electoral area citizens. What We Value Creating the organizational excellence to deliver exceptional, professional service that is: Effective and efficient Visionary and responsive Pragmatic and practical Respectful and ethical Accountable and responsible Innovative and resilient Transparent and open.

4 About Our Regional District T HE REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL OKANAGAN (RDCO) is located in the picturesque Okanagan Valley of British Columbia s Southern Interior. The Regional District covers over 314,000 hectares that straddle the shoreline of Okanagan Lake. Over 180,000 people call the region home, making it the third largest urban area in the Province. The region is diverse, including thriving urban centres and rural communities, nestled between orchards, vineyards and agricultural lands. Set against the backdrop of surrounding mountains and the pristine Okanagan Lake, this alluring geography attracts over one-million visitors annually and is a popular destination for a wide range of businesses. facilities, fire protection and garbage collection to homes and businesses located within the Electoral Areas. The District is also responsible for a wide range of regional services such as 9-1-1, dog control, parks and recycling for both the Electoral Areas and the member municipalities. In addition, the RDCO provides wastewater treatment services for the City of West Kelowna, District of Peachland and Westbank First Nation. Maintaining the balance between growth and development, while protecting the natural environment and unique Okanagan lifestyle is a key focus for the Regional District Board of Directors. The Board is made up of 12 elected and appointed representatives from the Electoral Areas and the member municipalities. In addition, a nonvoting member is appointed to represent the Westbank First Nation. The Board meets monthly, in addition to regular meetings of the Governance and Services Committee, to provide guidance in managing the various programs, services and issues that arise as part of local governance. As a form of local government unique to BC, the RDCO includes the two unincorporated Electoral Areas of Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West, along with the member municipalities of the City of Kelowna, the District of Lake Country, the District of Peachland and City of West Kelowna. The RDCO provides basic services such as recreation, park District of Peachland Central Okanagan West Electoral Area City of West Kelowna District of Lake Country City of Kelowna Westbank First Nation Okanagan Indian Band Central Okanagan East Electoral Area

5 How We Organize for Success D ELIVERING ON OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES requires organizing for success. To do so means recognizing our commitment to providing quality service to those we serve, both internally and in our community. Our relationships with our customers, community, partners and amongst ourselves are the cornerstone to our success. We strive for respectful, healthy and trusting relationships at all levels and at all points in our journey towards success. Our Commitment to Quality Identify and respond to the needs of the Public within the limits of the Region s mandate, to improve the quality of life for those living in the Central Okanagan. We will provide solutions that consider competing interests and community expectations, in an effective and efficient manner. The safety and health of residents is a paramount consideration. Communicate and work effectively with Governments and other agencies (federal, municipal, provincial, First Nations, agencies, etc.) through an exchange of opinions, information and cooperation. Be accountable to the Board for carrying out the day-to-day affairs of the corporation, in a responsible and proactive manner to ensure the Board s programs are carried out. Continue to provide Employees with a safe workplace, challenging career and stimulating environment, with opportunities for personal and professional growth, and contribution. Work together with Suppliers and Contractors to reach fair and mutually advantageous arrangements. RDCO Priorities and Plans The RDCO Priorities Plan is a statement of our mission, vision, strategic priorities and objectives and the key initiatives to achieve this over the next four years. In support of the Regional Growth Strategy, all other plans follow the direction provided by the RDCO s Priorities Plan. Regional Growth Strategy Priorities Plan Five Year Financial Plan Department Plans Program Plans Ongoing Monitoring and Review

6 Our Priorities, Objectives and Initiatives* Priority 1 Provide Proactive and Responsive Governance Objectives: Ensure services are effective and efficient, to maximize benefit/cost Continuously look for and implement productivity improvements Strengthen all partnership relationships (including Board, taxpayers, governments and agencies, media, non-profit organizations, employees, union, suppliers and contractors) to collaborate effectively Proactively anticipate needs and find innovative solutions Conduct actions with respect, integrity and accountability Apply a Syilx lens to matters raised at the Regional Board Initiatives: Focus on the 2016 budget process to ensure expenditure decisions are informed and well considered Board review of Regional Hospital Board expenditures Review existing grants in aid process develop new grants in aid policy Review governance of the Okanagan Film Commission Electoral Area Governance work to improve Electoral Area working relationships within the RDCO Review governance options for operation of the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant Explore contracts with member municipalities for operational services in new parks and when existing contracts expire Explore options that strengthen the role of First Nations on the Regional Board Priority 2 Ensure Asset, Service and Financial Sustainability Objectives: Manage current funding and seek additional funding opportunities Operate in an accountable and fiscally responsible manner Provide safe and healthy services while delivering the best value Manage infrastructure to service growing population Initiatives: Continue five-year rotation of service reviews with a view of improving efficiencies and effectiveness Examine administration costs for potential savings with a view to gaining efficiencies and reducing costs Bring forward report evaluating long-term RDCO building viability and potential alternatives Focus energies on regional services e.g. parks, solid waste, economic development Maintain and improve community infrastructure Review dog control services in West Electoral Area with a view to improving service levels Provide services in a safe manner Seek opportunities to enhance the use of information technology Review Electoral Area building inspection service withdrawal request and alternatives for service delivery * initiatives listed in order from high (in bold) to medium priority to longer term initiatives (in italics).

7 Our Priorities, Objectives and Initiatives* Priority 3 Nurture Responsible Growth and Development Objectives: Maintain competitive tax rates Promote and support economic opportunity Grow the tax base Support Smart Growth Principles Initiatives: Continue to implement the Regional Growth Strategy Advocate for Healthy Communities projects Develop a Transportation Master Plan Develop the electoral area planning process Priority 4 Protect and Promote Our Environment and Lifestyle Objectives: Shift focus from park acquisition to park development and operation Mitigate effects of Climate Change: flood, fire and drought Promote responsible environmental protection Retain and improve quality of life Support water management and protection initiatives Support wildfire mitigation and protection initiatives Support biodiversity initiatives with Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program (OCCP) Initiatives: Find region-wide solutions to bio-solids challenge Review RDCO Air Quality Function and service delivery options Develop opportunities for greater access to RDCO park lands Advocate for protection of water sources Advocate for protection of the lake against invasive mussels Participate on the Okanagan Rail Corridor Inter-jurisdictional Acquisition Team Explore/Advocate for Paratransit/handyDART service for Ellison Central Okanagan East Electoral Area service Advocate for improved cycling safety on Old Vernon Road Central Okanagan East Electoral Area * initiatives listed in order from high (in bold) to medium priority to longer term initiatives (in italics).

8 Our Priorities, Objectives and Initiatives* Priority 5 Champion Communications and Engagement Objectives: Engage our citizens and our staff while improving our image and public awareness of services Continuously seek to improve internal communication, including interaction between departments, procedures and policies Continuously seek to improve communication with and between member municipalities, First Nations and stakeholders Initiatives: Raise awareness of what the RDCO does and what services it delivers Identify initiatives that support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations Respect the wisdom, culture and traditional role of First Nations in the Region Increase public engagement in RDCO activities and services e.g. budget, celebrate successes (parks) Conduct a citizen satisfaction survey Priority 6 Empower our Employees Objectives: Enhance management knowledge and capabilities Close skills gaps for all employees Maintain a positive corporate culture by developing professional, respectful and trusting relationship Initiatives: Develop staff training plans for key areas including First Nations Cultural Awareness Develop Corporate Succession Plans * initiatives listed in order from high (in bold) to medium priority to longer term initiatives (in italics).