Whitestown: 20 Year Strategic Plan for Municipal Services “The best possible service at the lowest possible cost.”

Growth in the Whitestown Area Growth was already occurring in the Whitestown/Zionsville area. The location is arguably the best location of any area in the 8-county region. Growth pressures will continue, regardless – Whitestown simply wants to be prepared.

Developing Effective Partnerships Whitestown is currently (and has been) exploring the development of partnerships which create value for its residents. While we can’t force people to participate, we can forge strong partnerships with those who wish to work with us to create value for our residents.

Goals of the 20-Year Strategic Plan To hold the municipal tax rate of Whitestown constant for the next 20 years. To provide citizens of Whitestown with the best possible municipal services. To explore the most efficient methods of service delivery. To design & implement the most effective service & management plan without simply repeating the mistakes of others.

Development of the Strategic Plan Examine the service package of each municipal department. –Define the specific services to be provided. –Identify the personnel & equipment necessary to deliver the service. –Determine whether those services are affordable under the assumption of a flat property tax rate. Explore & analyze public & private sector models for service delivery. Design the most efficient service delivery package for each Town Department.

Fire Service Whitestown does not provide fire service directly, however, statutes authorize the Town to form partnerships that provide the best service to our citizens. Whitestown is exploring its partnership with Worth Township, however, other entities have been contacted for additional participation. A public workshop on fire service was held in October, and a Strategic Plan for fire protection is currently being developed in conjunction with Worth Township.

Town Administration Whitestown’s administrative resources currently consist mainly of the Town Council. The Town has initiated a line item in the 2007 budget for additional town management resources. The Town seeks to have a full-time Town Manager by December, 2008, to help with: –development proposal review. –partner relationship maintenance. –department/agency supervision & management. A public workshop is being planned for March, 2007, to discuss Town Administration & Management. Town is currently considering a ‘shared personnel’ model for staffing to assure maximum personnel efficiency.

Whitestown Parks The Parks Board has already embarked on a strategic planning process. There is a preliminary parks plan already in place. The public workshop for Whitestown Parks is scheduled for November 28, 2006.

Whitestown Utilities (WU) WU has been working through a number of management issues since acquisition. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is in the development process: –Maps all utility assets. –Provides the basis for capital asset management/ maintenance planning. –Provides automated management information related to routine maintenance, as well as system expansion and construction. WU also has staff for service delivery. Public workshop planned for December, 2006.

Whitestown Streets WU’s GIS system provides a tool for overall Town capital asset management. GIS can also be applied to Town streets: –Programming street maintenance services. –Planning paving & grading activities/projects. –Establish & manage construction & maintenance priorities. Explore partnerships w/other agencies for street services, including possible privatization. Preliminary goal: to have all gravel roads paved within 10 years. Planned public workshop on Street Department services for January, 2007.

Police Protection Strategic Planning for Police services will engage 3 simultaneous models: –Traditional police organization models; –Mutual aid models; –Private security models. Town’s 2007 budget includes more officers (4-5 officers needed for 24/7 coverage). We have engaged Dr. Roger Parks* to assist in assessing police models. Public workshop on police services is planned for February, 2007 (depending upon Dr. Parks’ schedule). *Dr. Parks is Professor Emeritus at IU/School of Public & Environmental Affairs, and is a nationally-renowned expert on police services.

Strategic Planning for other issues: In addition to departmental strategies, the Town will also examine other important issues related to Town management & development: –Potential creation/implementation of development impact fees, especially for parks and roads. –Potential creation of inside/outside utility rates & policies for WU service areas outside of Town. –Potential exploration of other cooperative partnerships for planning & development services.

Whitestown Financial Strategies Whitestown will collect all of the departmental Strategic Plans and subject them to a Financial Analysis by Reedy & Peters to determine strategic affordability. Town’s goal of maintaining flat property tax rate ($0.53/$100) is the top priority. Adjustments will be made to each Departmental Strategic Plan to make it conform with financial goals of the Town.

Strategic Plan set for April, 2007 The Town Council hopes to complete the Strategic Planning process by April, The Town Council strongly encourages every citizen to participate, at least for the purpose of becoming informed. Documents can be posted at Whitestown Town Hall. Town is also exploring options for electronic distribution.