The Bismarck City Commission received and adopted the Strategic Plan at its regular meeting March 27. Josh Askvig, City Commission liaison provided highlights of the plan and Patrick Ibarra, Consultant with the Mejorando Group, provided an update and insights to Commissioners prior to their adoption of the plan. “The Strategic Plan reflects what we want to be as a community moving forward and it is a great testament to the citizens of Bismarck,” said Mayor Warford. “I am delighted with the level of enthusiasm and the contributions made by the community during the development of the plan. This is a ‘living document’ that will be revisited and tweaked as we look to our future.”
Mayor Warford affirmed the importance of taking action and being proactive with a primary focus upon growth, and an action plan for implementation. Warford assigned each commissioner to one of four key areas of the plan, empowering each with the ability to take ownership and to become champions of their respective, assigned areas.
Key Area AssignmentsEconomic Vitality - Commissioner Mike SeminaryCommunity Character – Commissioner Brenda Smith
Civic Engagement - Commissioner Josh Askvig Community Services – Commissioner Parrell Grossman
Mayor Warford also charged Commissioner Askvig with leading and “jumpstarting” a green space initiative for new development areas in Bismarck as the City plans for growth. “We are a dynamic people looking to our future,” said Askvig. “I am very enthusiastic about getting started and putting this ambitious plan into action.”