FEATURED COLUMNIST
Staying On Track: District’s Strategic Plan Updated
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By Rebecca Gold Rubin
arly this year, the District initiated an update of its Strategic Plan, which consists of the District’s Mission Statement, Values, and Primary Organizational Goals. These are the guiding documents that help assure we maintain a path that aligns with our customers and community and that we’re most effectively allocating resources to accomplish the desired goals, keeping in mind that financial resources are limited. On May 17, following a significant information gathering and analysis process, staff input, community surveys, interested party interviews, and Board member discussion and priority setting, the Board adopted the updated Strategic Plan. The planning horizon of this update is three years, which will encompass the Pure Water Soquel Project being operational, help inform the District’s annual budgets, and the next rate-setting process. With the updated Strategic Plan, staff will adjust, as needed, the District’s strategies, guiding principles, Community Water Plan, and staff-level implementation plans. This Plan is more than a document; it is a continual and dynamic process that guides not only the District’s overall direction but also the departmental implementation plans and in turn, the dayto-day efforts of the District as we work to accomplish our goals. What does this Plan mean to our customers and community?
It means that you can be assured we are continually working on analyzing, understanding, and addressing the complexities of the many internal and external factors and influences which affect how we provide services to you. Our Strategic Plan is an essential, valuable tool for both short and long-term planning. It helps us stay on track with the evolving needs of our community and changing circumstances, ensuring we can effectively and efficiently provide water not just for today but water for tomorrow and for the decades to come. A critical component of our strategic planning process is the environmental scan. The word ‘environment’ doesn’t mean nature; rather it refers to taking an objective review of the holistic environment in which we operate - examining the present and future factors that might affect the organization and our services to you. It helps us understand the broader context in which we’re operating and the factors that will influence the direction and goals of the District. Our environmental scan included a review and analysis of these key factors: • Current Basin Status — the basin remains significantly unsustainable. • Projected Water Demand and LandUse Planning — the water supply is short by about one-third of the amount needed to meet current and future demand; forecasted new development may be underestimated.
• Climate Change — already high risk and impact, and getting worse; significantly impacts groundwater recharge and surface water. • District Finances — finances are okay at present due to significant State and Federal funding; yet, there are ongoing challenges of capital construction/
replacement programs due to aging infrastructure, increased operating costs, and changing regulations (of concern to all water agencies); there are State and Federal funding opportunities on the horizon. “SqCWD Strategic Plan” page 31
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / July 2022 / 27
