In 2008, the City of Durham identified a need for the development of a Strategic Plan to create a vision for the future and chart a course to ensure our financial viability and standards of living. This plan serves as a central platform to directly link our organizational values and fundamental purposes to performance measurement, financial accountability, and business needs, all of which support the five City Council goals that address the priorities of our residents. To that end, the Strategic Plan involves employees, residents and stakeholders in a highly participatory and transparent process to identify long-term direction, short-term goals and guide decision-making.