Pullman staff outlines facilities plan, electrification and revenue drives in proposed goals

Pullman — City staff presented a consolidated set of proposed goals intended to guide department workplans and the next biennial budget, stressing facilities planning, operational efficiency and revenue stability.

Shawn, representing staff, summarized the recommended framework: “Plan and provide for future facilities and equipment needs, including assessments of current resources, growth projections, and technological enhancements,” and proposed projects such as a facilities master plan, funding and development of Veterans Park and a transportation master plan.

Staff also recommended a fleet electrification master plan and a structured approach to adopt a 311 citizen request system so residents can route service inquiries and receive status updates. Shawn noted previous work on emergency preparedness, including a recent flood tabletop exercise involving about 45 staff, and said the city is already moving to electric buses for transit.

On finance, staff urged more frequent rate studies and identification of targeted revenue strategies (service fees, developer fees, grant seeking) while cautioning that one‑time grants should not be used to fund ongoing services. Shawn singled out better use of the city’s Munis financial software to unlock reporting and public dashboard options.

Employee issues: staff proposed a focus on recruitment and retention through compensation reviews, improved onboarding and employee engagement surveys. The city reported an average full‑time tenure of about 10.1 years, which staff said shows solid retention but still warrants systematic morale and succession planning.

Next steps: Staff asked council to flag priorities to be elevated into two‑year goals; council members requested clearer SMART framing and asked staff to return a draft prioritized goals package for future study sessions.