Buckeye's 2025 - 2028 Strategic Plan

COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN

2025-2028

INTRODUCTION It is my privilege to introduce the City of Buckeye’s City Council Strategic Plan, a roadmap designed to guide our city’s growth and prosperity. Buckeye is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, and with this growth comes incredible opportunities to shape a future that reflects our vision to be the community of limitless possibilities.

Dan Cotterman City Manager

This strategic plan is the result of collaboration between our City Council, staff, and community members.

It outlines key priorities that focus on responsible development, enhanced public safety, infrastructure improvements, economic vitality, and maintaining the high quality of life that makes Buckeye a great place to live, work, and visit.

The plan focuses on the following areas: Fiscal Responsibility Economic Growth Innovative and High Performing Organization A Safe and Sustainable Quality of Life, and Infrastructure Each of these focus areas have guiding principles and specific, measurable activities to be completed within calendar years 2025 - 2028, to ensure the city stays on track by making deliberate and smart choices for the future of Buckeye.

The city adopted the original plan in 2022, and each year the plan is amended to ensure the city’s strategic focus remains a priority. I am pleased to present this revised city of Buckeye Strategic Plan that aligns with our vision, mission, and core values.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Fiscal Responsibility .................................................................................. 04 Economic Growth ....................................................................................... 06 Innovative and High Performing Organization ............... 08 A Safe and Sustainable Quality of Life ..................................... 10 Infrastructure .................................................................................................... 12

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FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

The city of Buckeye aspires to implement innovative and responsible policies and business practices to effectively manage its fiscal and human resources. The city aspires to maintain a stable, transparent, forward-looking fiscal condition that provides an outstanding quality of life for our residents. Business practices should be efficient, business friendly and ensure exceptional customer service to all stakeholders and residents.

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Demonstrate fiscal responsibility through established financial policies, budgeting practices and financial standards that meet the excellence requirements and benchmarks for financial reporting established by the Governmental Finance Officer Association (GFOA) and the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Ensure that this information is readily available and transparent to all residents and stakeholders.

Implement business processes and operational efficiencies to streamline the cost of government including the examination and identification of cost of services and cost recovery policies.

Implement financial initiatives that allows the city to proactively recruit, plan for, maximize, and retain top human resources.

Implement innovative technology initiatives to support city business processes, customer service and encourage private development investment.

Create and pursue opportunities for collaboration and regional partnerships to maximize resources and address regional issues.

Implement and seek diverse revenue sources that withstand and adapt to changing economic conditions.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACTIVITIES Activity

Department

Year

Migrate essential clerk records into Tyler solutions

City Clerk’s Office

2027

Develop a city hall concept

City Manager’s Office

2026

Finance

2028

Develop Utility Rate Model

Finance

2025

Develop a User Fee/Cost Recovery Philosophy

Finance

2025

Conduct Impact Fee Study

Finance

2025

Standardize all contract templates

Finance

2025

Improve operational efficiencies by transitioning all contracts to MUNIS contracts module

Finance

2025

Form GO Bond Citizen committee to consider next phase of CIP funding

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ECONOMIC GROWTH

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

The city of Buckeye aspires to seek diverse, high quality and enhanced development that supports the community’s economic sustainability and fosters growth and development. Business investment should be fostered through streamlined processes, technology and ongoing partnerships and relationships.

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Ensure development services are continually streamlined, efficient, customer focused and responsive to support new growth, local economic development, and the long-term success of existing local businesses.

Continually update and refine a long-range planning that incorporates resident and stakeholder input to provide a road map for community design, strategic economic development, infrastructure, and budget planning.

Focus on strategic and targeted economic development pursuits that strive to increase local jobs, generate additional revenues, and support the needs of a growing community.

Nurture and support existing businesses and entrepreneurial efforts in the city.

Employ economic development strategies, including development agreements that invest in public amenities and infrastructure to enhance our quality of life and thereby drive economic growth.

Promote balanced housing development that targets a wide variety of options (e.g. types, price ranges, sizes, ownership/rental, and styles) through strategic partnerships and enhanced ordinances/policies.

ECONOMIC GROWTH ACTIVITIES

Activity

Department

Year

Complete the Airport Master Plan & Airport Long Range Development Plans

Airport

2025

Develop an implementation and funding strategy for the development and expansion of the airport

Airport

2026

Complete second Economic Impact Analysis of the Buckeye Air Fair

Community Services

2026

Development Services

2025

Draft a Housing Action Plan

Development Services

2026

Complete the Airport Specific Area Plan

Development Services

2026

Development Services

2026

Economic Development

2027

Economic Development

2026

Draft Gateway Activity Center (aka “The Landing”) Special Area Plan

Develop timeline and funding source for downtown streetscape enhancement

Evaluate feasibility and economic impact of Passenger Rail Service in Buckeye Develop resident workforce training programs in partnership with local education and industry partners

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INNOVATIVE AND HIGH PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

The city of Buckeye should update programs and policies that create a healthy, safe, inclusive, and sustainable workplace. The city aspires to be the employer of choice, by providing a culture and working environment and benefits to attract and retain a workforce that is committed to providing outstanding service to its residents at an exceptional value for their tax dollars.

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Establish clear management expectations for all employees and volunteers of the city.

Develop initiatives to improve communication and transparency for city employees.

Create and maintain a culture of ownership by empowering employees to make decisions. Ensure employees have the necessary intellectual and physical resources to perform their jobs and provide excellent customer service efficiently and effectively.

Implement programs and develop projects that create a professional, safe, value-oriented, accountable, and responsive work environment with opportunities for education, advancement, and job fulfillment.

Implement and evaluate opportunities to foster employee engagement in meaningful ways that strengthen internal relationships while celebrating accomplishments.

INNOVATIVE AND HIGH PERFORMING ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES Activity

Department

Year

Evaluate ways to expand the potential of our continuous improvement efforts

City Manager’s Office

2027

Communications and Government Affairs

2026

Development Services

2025

Evaluate benefits programs

Finance & Human Resources

2025

Payroll/HR system assessment (new system vs complete reimplementation)

Finance & Human Resources

2026

Finance

2026

Create fire department professional development plan

Fire

2025

Conduct Fire Department Master Plan

Fire

2027

Human Resources

2026

Human Resources

2025

system

Human Resources

2025

Create an internal organizational safety program

Human Resources

2027

Develop and implement a strategic plan

Program Management Office

2025

Public Works

2027

Review and update the internal communication plan Launch an interactive planning and development map service

Utility billing system assessment (new system vs complete reimplementation)

Develop and implement a mentoring and succession plan Implement on-site training and educational opportunities Develop new performance appraisal

Develop a Fleet and People Moving Master Plan

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SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE QUALITY OF LIFE

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

The city of Buckeye will continue providing programs, gathering places, and events where the community can come together to participate in opportunities of learning and recreation. Sustainable relationships with the community should be cultivated through resident engagement, outstanding customer service, and clear, accessible communication. We aim to protect our community’s history and environment for future generations. The city aspires to implement programs and projects that create a healthy, safe, and sustainable environment that provide residents with opportunities for an engaged, healthy, and active lifestyle.

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Preserve and enhance the historic and cultural identity/resources that reflect the values and traditions of our community. We support and promote cultural activities that reflect our historic legacy.

Support and create partnerships with public/private educational institutions and local school leadership. Provide multi-generational development programs and recreational opportunities.

Create an enhanced connection with neighborhoods throughout the city through focused outreach and strategic utilization of various communication methods. We should celebrate our accomplishments through focused outreach to the residents.

Promote public safety process improvements and innovative programs that ensure a safe community.

Foster and support initiatives and evaluate community policies, programs, gathering places, and events that promote healthy and quality lifestyles for our diverse community.

Foster citywide “open space” initiatives, policies and city codes that support a clean, well-maintained, and sustainable community.

Promote and implement sustainable water management policies and practices

SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE QUALITY OF LIFE ACTIVITIES Activity

Department

Year

Update Recreation, Parks, and Trails Master Plan

Community Services

2025

Create and formalize a park ranger program

Community Services

2027

Complete improvements and open the Joe Foss Shooting Range as a recreational public facility

Community Services

2025

Complete an Arts and Culture Master Plan

Community Services

2026

Create neighborhood orientation program

City Manager’s Office

2027

Create an HOA academy program

City Manager’s Office

2027

Incorporate open space and parks standards in city code and development standards for new development

Development Services

2026

Complete a Public Safety Facilities Needs Assessment to address training, support and administration

Fire & Police

2026

Develop a municipal security risk assessment

Police

2026

Complete a critical infrastructure assessment

Police

2027

Implement public safety plan

Police

2027

Conduct a right-of-way landscape beautification assessment

Public Works

2027

Adopt water management policies

Water Resources

2025

Acquire Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) for a portion of the city of Buckeye

Water Resources

2025

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INFRASTRUCTURE

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

Guiding Principle

The city of Buckeye should strategically plan, implement, and maintain current and future infrastructure and facilities to support the community’s quality of life, economic viability, and protection of the environment.

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Establish routine and industry best practice maintenance guidelines to monitor the efficiency and operability of current below and above grade infrastructure and facilities.

Identify programs, technologies, or resources to compliment current operational practices that ensure the sustainability of existing infrastructure and facilities.

Establish long-term planning, prioritization and investment strategies for future infrastructure and facilities that improve the quality of life for residents while being financially sustainable.

INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIVITIES Activity Develop an asset management program and tracking system Advance regional transportation funding opportunities for SR30, SR85 and I-10 Evaluate existing roadway network level of service

Update Transportation Master Plan to include truck routes and parking

Update Transit Master Plan

Complete a traffic management center plan with implementation schedule and funding strategy

Develop a SMART City Master Plan

Complete a feasibility study for an open access fiber-optic conduit system

Complete identified GO Bond projects as planned to demonstrate accountability

Implement Sensei IQ for program management

Create a Facilities Master Plan

Develop an emergency fuel storage and infrastructure strategy Develop partnership for new drinking water supply with irrigation districts

Department

Year

City Manager’s Office

2025

Communications and Government Affairs

2028

Engineering

2025

Engineering

2025

Engineering

2026

Engineering

2027

Information Technology

2025

Information Technology

2027

Program Management Office

2027

Program Management Office

2026

Public Works

2025

Public Works

2027

Water Resources

2027

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