May 23, 2013
DOTHAN, AL---It's a day long roundtable discussion with one purpose.
"Any successful organization they plan so we're working on a one year, 5 year and 15 year plan," said Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz.
Friday, Dothan's six city commissioners, city manager and mayor met with a strategic planner.
First, the group discussed 2012's goals and achievements.
Goal 1, was to maintain a financially sound city.
Some ways it was achieved were through grants for recycling and safe routes to school.
Goal 2, was to expand the local economy.
Some ways that was achieved were through sports tournaments, the nest on foster in downtown and the medical college.
Goal 3, was to make dothan a more livable city.
That was achieved by building two new libraries.
Another goal was to improve mobility.
That was achieved through side walk and road repairs.
City leaders also outlined their 1 year and 5 year goals for the city.
"Economic development, we definitely need to replace the jobs that we lost at Pemco," said Schmitz.
"Number one priority is a swimming pool at andrew bell," said Dothan District 1 Commissioner James Reading.
"The beginning of James Oates Park," said Dothan District 5 Commissioner Taylor Barbaree.
Some of the top issues discussed among city leaders were the joint E911 communication center, the landfill expansion and police patrols.
"I think as a city government we need to give the police chief more officers to put on the streets at night to patrol neighborhoods," added Barbaree.
The group hopes to have a new outlined plan for 2013 and the next five to 15 years by the end of Saturday's work session.
The group will meet again Saturday at 8 a.m. in the Wiregrass Museum of Art's conference center.
The public is invited to attend.
