08/27/2026 City Council - Special Meeting

The City Council of San Luis Obispo held a special meeting on August 27, 2026, primarily focused on discussing the development of a new strategic planning process. The council and staff reviewed the structure and purpose of a potential strategic plan intended to align with the city's budget cycle, proposing a four-year planning horizon to complement the existing two-year financial plan. Discussions emphasized integrating existing core services and major city goals into the strategic plan to provide clearer priorities and measurable outcomes, such as key performance indicators (KPIs), to better communicate progress to the community. The council also considered the timing and methodology of community outreach, including the use of statistically valid surveys and mailings to residents and tenants, to gather input on both short-term and long-term priorities. While no formal votes were recorded, the meeting reflected a consensus on the value of a strategic plan to improve clarity and coordination in city planning and budgeting processes, with further discussions planned on vision, mission, and values statements.