Astoria council adopts 2025 work plan outlining priorities through 2028

Lede: The Astoria City Council voted Aug. 18 to adopt a multi-year work plan for 2025 through 2028 that formalizes top priorities including housing, a thriving local economy, community resilience and improved quality of life.

Nut graf: Councilors described the document as a living plan that will guide city-manager decision-making and budgeting. Several members urged robust public outreach so residents understand ongoing efforts and can provide input on priorities and implementation timing.

Body: City Manager Spence described the work plan as a deliberate effort by council to establish priority goals and milestones. Councilors praised the document's clarity and staff's effort to produce a readable 220-page budget and a practical work plan. Councilor Emily Davis cautioned that the plan contains many top-priority items and asked staff to flag competing priorities early so the council can provide direction when resource conflicts arise.

Public comment: A resident in the audience urged the council to use the work plan as an opportunity for greater two-way public engagement, including town halls and neighborhood outreach, and asked councilors to solicit community feedback before finalizing major decisions.

Council action: Councilor Ian Adams moved adoption; Councilor Emily Davis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Ending: Council directed staff to treat the work plan as a framework for the next two years and to present milestones and progress updates at council meetings and in public-facing materials.