In 1990, Westlake hired its first town manager, staff consisted of the manager, an assistant to the manager, and a town secretary.  Strategy and direction were communicated in face-to-face meetings, and long-term planning was handled through the budget document.  But as residential growth in Westlake increased by 380% over the ensuing decade- from 207 to 992- it was clearly time to move the planning process to the next level.