SOLEDAD — City of Soledad has adopted a new citywide strategic plan designed to guide operations, budgeting and long-term decision-making over the next five years.
The 2025-2030 Soledad Strategic Plan establishes the city’s vision, mission and priorities, serving as a roadmap for aligning city services, capital planning and departmental work programs. The plan was developed collaboratively by the City Council and city staff, with input from residents and community stakeholders gathered through surveys and previous planning efforts.
“The City of Soledad’s Strategic Plan reflects our shared vision for a vibrant, inclusive and resilient future,” Mayor Anna Velazquez said. “More than a document, it is our commitment to move forward with transparency, accountability and innovation, ensuring every decision aligns with our community’s values.”
City officials said each priority in the plan is supported by specific goals, measurable objectives and key initiatives. Progress will be tracked through regular reports and performance indicators to promote transparency and accountability.
Development of the strategic plan included a City Council retreat to identify priorities and desired outcomes, a staff leadership workshop to align operational goals and community engagement through surveys. The process also included a review of existing plans, performance data and service delivery outcomes. Facilitation was provided by Alex Terwilliger of the University of Kansas Public Management Center.
“Built through the voices of our residents, this plan captures the ideas and aspirations that define Soledad, charting a clear path toward economic, social and environmental growth,” Velazquez said. “It lays the foundation for our next chapter — one shaped by collaboration and shared progress.”
The strategic plan is structured around the Siempre Soledad General Plan Guiding Principles, which were shaped by input from hundreds of community stakeholders. Those principles establish nine foundational pillars — economy, housing, environmental justice and equity, community places, mobility, safety, youth, health and education — which align with nine elements of the strategic plan.
A 10th element focused on internal operations was added to ensure the City Council and staff have the organizational capacity and resources needed to carry out the plan’s goals and objectives.
The plan spans a five-year horizon, from 2025 to 2030, with projects and objectives categorized by priority level. Urgent priorities are targeted for completion within one to two years, semi-urgent priorities within two to four years, and long-term priorities within five years or more.
“As your Mayor, I am honored to present this plan as a reflection of our community’s spirit and our belief in Soledad’s bright and promising future,” Velazquez said.
The City Council approved the strategic plan at its Nov. 5 meeting, noting it is intended to be a working document that may be updated as community needs evolve. Next steps include integrating the plan’s goals into departmental work plans and the annual budget, developing reporting tools — including an online dashboard — and publishing the final plan on the city’s website.
