Santa Barbara Council adopts four‑year strategic plan, adds celebrating‑diversity language

The Santa Barbara City Council on Dec. 16 adopted a four‑year citywide strategic plan that sets priorities and a one‑year work plan designed to align the city’s budgeting and performance reporting with council goals.

Staff said the plan — developed with consultant Raftelus after community focus groups, council workshops and stakeholder interviews — centers on a unifying vision and four strategic objectives: stimulate economic and community vitality; enhance community resiliency and safety; strengthen housing and community services; and ensure a high‑performing city organization. Barbara Anderson, senior assistant to the city administrator, said the plan will include a public performance management tool and Spanish translation for accessibility.

Anderson and other staff described a public‑facing accountability approach: a three‑year work plan with milestones, regular reporting to council, and outreach to community groups and advisory bodies. Councilmembers asked about employee engagement, how department master plans (for example, Arts and State Street projects) would tie into the work plan, and how the plan will inform coming budget choices.

Public commenters and stakeholder groups — including active transportation advocates, labor representatives and neighborhood leaders — urged the council to emphasize bike infrastructure, tenant stability and workforce supports. Mayor Pro Tem Friedman moved staff’s recommendation and Councilmember Freeman seconded; Councilmember Sneddon successfully requested adding language to the vision statement to reflect “celebrating our community diversity.” The amended motion carried.

What’s next: staff will finalize public materials for the plan, translate the document into Spanish, publish the performance dashboard, and begin the first‑year initiatives and reporting cadence described in the adopted work plan.