Strategic Planning

The City of Aurora, Illinois, is seeking a qualified consulting firm to facilitate the development of a multi-year citywide strategic plan. The plan will serve as a roadmap to guide the City's priorities, policy decisions, resource allocations, and performance measures for the next five to seven years. The selected consultant will work closely with city administration, department heads, and community stakeholders to develop a vision, mission, values, strategic priorities, and measurable goals that reflect the needs and aspirations of the diverse community. Key tasks include project launch and planning, discovery, internal engagement and alignment, mission, vision, and values development, strategic priorities and goals development, implementation and evaluation, and final deliverables and communication tools. Some of the key points to consider are: • The city has a 2026 expenditure budget of $688 million and a general fund expenditure budget of $254 million. • The city's Capital Improvement Plan includes projects from 2026 to 2035, totaling $810 million. • The city faces challenges such as downtown redevelopment, maintaining infrastructure, and funding post-employment benefit liabilities. • The city's administration is seeking a consultant to assist in establishing a new strategic plan and updating priorities in light of current resident and business needs. • The consultant will be required to conduct a project kickoff, develop a detailed project plan, and engage with city leadership to evaluate current operations and develop a revised mission, vision, and value statement. • The consultant will also facilitate the development of strategic priorities and goals, create an actionable implementation plan, and establish measurable outcomes and key performance indicators. • The city is looking for a consultant with experience in strategic planning, organizational development, and community engagement. • The consultant should have a strong understanding of the city's needs and aspirations, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with city staff and stakeholders. • The city is seeking a consultant who can provide a comprehensive and inclusive approach to strategic planning, taking into account the city's diverse community and the need for social justice, environmental sustainability, and inclusiveness.