2011-01-27-28 Work Session NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK SESSION,JANUARY 27-28,2011 PAGE 117
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for a Strategic Planning Work Session on
Thursday, January 27, 2011 and Friday, January 28, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. in the New Hanover County Executive
Development Center, Oleander Room, 1241 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington,North Carolina.
Board and Panel participants were: Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Jason R. Thompson;
Commissioner Brian M. Berger; Commissioner Richard G. Catlin; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; Clerk to the
Board Sheila L. Schuh County Manager Bruce T. Shell; Finance Director Avril Pinder; Budget Director Cam
Griffin; Assistant County Manager Andre' Mallette;and Assistant County Manager Chris Coudriet.
Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr. was absent.
Department Heads and staff were present to observe and provide a brief situational assessment and
strengths, weaknesses, threat and opportunities (SWOT) analysis from focus group sessions that were held last
week. The focus groups consisted of Community Development Services,Parks and Recreation Services,Health and
Human Services,Public Safety Services, and General Administration Services.
Chairman Barfield welcomed everyone present and shared his vision and excitement for the County's need
to have a strategic plan in place. He announced that David W. Eisenlohr,Managing Partner, and Wendy Skinner, of
the Azimuth Group, Inc.,would facilitate the panel discussion for the strategic planning process.
STRATEGIC PLANNING DISCUSSION
Mr. Eisenlohr and Ms. Skinner led the panel discussion and related voting sessions on the following
strategic planning topics reporting that the consensus of the Board on the first draft is as follows:
• Vision:
o New Hanover County is a desirable, prosperous coastal community with a rich, diverse culture,
proud history, and innovative leadership working to build a sustainable future for generations to
come.
• Mission Statement:
o New Hanover County is committed to progressive public policy, superior service, courteous contact,
judicious exercise of authority and sound fiscal management to meet the needs and concerns of our
citizens today and tomorrow.
• Organizational Values—Guiding Principles:
• Integrity(trust)
• Stewardship
• Professionalism(empathy)
• Innovative
• Accountability
• Strategic Context:
• Situational Assessment
o Community trends,political factors, economic climate, organization trends,technology factors,
citizen needs,uncertainties
• Strengths,Weaknesses, Threat and Opportunities Analysis
• Evidence of Success Indicators:
o Reduced unemployment, decreased crime rate, improved health among the population, decrease debt
for capital ratio,improved graduation rate
RECESS
Chairman Barfield called a recess of the Thursday, January 27, 2011 work session at 4:55 p.m. announcing
that the work session would reconvene at the same location on Friday, January 28,2011 at 8:30 a.m.
RECONVENE
Chairman Barfield reconvened the work session on Friday, January 28,2011 at 8:30 a.m.
STRATEGIC PLANNING DISCUSSION CONTINUED
Mr. Eisenlohr and Ms. Skinner reviewed the topics that had been discussed and continued leading the panel
discussion and voting sessions on the following strategic planning topics:
• Market Differentiators
• Discuss and Refine Strategic Focus Areas
• Core Competencies—Deliverable Objectives
• Strategic Partners(i.e. NCDOT and NCDNER)
• Risks—circumstances that would impede Strategic Planning
In closing, Mr. Eisenlohr recapped the consensus of the discussions stating that a comprehensive strategic
plan would be developed from the information gathered from the Commissioners and staff. A draft plan should be
available in May for review by the Board and a final plan should be ready for adoption in June. A synopsis of the
work session would be provided in February.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK SESSION,JANUARY 27-28,2011 PAGE 118
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Barfield offered closing remarks in appreciation of the Board, staff and the facilitators for
working together to develop a progressive plan of action for the future of New Hanover County. He adjourned the
work session at 3:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa P.Elmore
Deputy Clerk to the Board