FREEHOLD – Residents wishing to share their ideas about how Monmouth County can improve government services can do so by logging on www.visitmonmouth.com and clicking on a link for the strategic plan. Online comments will go directly to Strategic Planning Committee members.

 

“Ever since we announced that the county is moving forward with a strategic plan, it has generated a great deal of interest from members of the public, which is a good thing,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton, a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. “This is just one format for residents to share their thoughts and ideas. We also will be holding two community forums to solicit public input, and we engaged the services of a polling institute to conduct a statistically valid public opinion poll.”

 

The strategic plan, which is expected to be finished by next spring, involves a review of all government operations with an eye toward improving government services and identifying efficiencies that can be implemented by the Board of Chosen Freeholders. The need for a countywide strategic plan was identified in a report last year that was prepared by the Budget Review Committee.

 

“I am thrilled that the people of Monmouth County are taking such a strong interest in their government and how it operates,” said Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow, who is also a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. “A strategic plan will help us achieve our goals as public servants. The best way to do that is to encourage and receive input from the public we serve.”

 

Monmouth County will be the first county in New Jersey to have a strategic plan. 

           

Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said, “I am proud to say that Monmouth County is once again taking a leadership role in New Jersey by becoming involved in strategic planning. Having a strategic plan will help identify efficiencies that ultimately could translate into savings.”

 

The strategic plan is being formulated with the help of Janus Solutions of Hopewell, which was the low bidder for a 12-month contract and also the preferred choice to guide the county through the strategic planning process. Janus has begun analyzing numerous county planning documents and demographic data, and Tom Blatner, president and CEO of Janus, made a presentation June 26 before the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

 

In addition to residents, strategic planning will include input from Department heads as well as community leaders. “It is essential to have input from a broad range of stakeholders,” Blatner said.

Once all of the information is gathered, the Strategic Planning Committee – comprising personnel from both inside and outside the county – will evaluate the county’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities so that a plan can begin to be carved out. 

 

When the information-gathering process is completed by the end of the year, the Strategic Plan Committee will spend a few months analyzing the data and will then begin making recommendations. A final document, or plan, could be adopted by the freeholders in May or June of 2009.

 

“The strategic plan will serve as a blueprint county operations going forward,” County Administrator Robert M. Czech said. “It is a strong indication that the county is actively responding to the need to change how it goes about delivering county services in the current environment.”

 

Residents are invited to click here to offer comments on the strategic plan.

 

 

 

#     #     #