Indian Wells Golf Resort Annual Strategic Plan

CAO: Chris Freeland

Population less than 10,000

The city of Indian Wells, California, received the 2026 ICMA Strategic Leadership & Governance Award for its Indian Wells Golf Resort Annual Strategic Plan, an innovative initiative that reimagined how strategic planning, budgeting, and performance management work together. Beginning in 2022, the city shifted from a traditional, reactive approach to a structured, goal-driven governance model that aligns City Council priorities with departmental execution and fiscal planning. By creating a clear roadmap for implementation, Indian Wells strengthened accountability while ensuring that every major project supports community priorities.

A key feature of the initiative was its commitment to collaboration and resident engagement. Rather than relying solely on internal planning, the city introduced public forums that invited residents to help shape strategic priorities alongside city staff, elected officials, and Golf Resort leadership. This collaborative process ensured that goals reflected verified community needs while creating greater transparency around municipal decision-making. Strategic priorities were then directly connected to departmental work plans and budget allocations, creating a seamless link between planning, funding, and implementation.

To reinforce accountability, Indian Wells developed a comprehensive performance tracking system supported by digital dashboards, progress reports, and easy-to-understand communication tools such as Budget 101 workshops, budget-at-a-glance materials, and online updates. These resources allowed residents to monitor progress on strategic priorities in real time while helping demystify local government finance. By replacing anecdotal reporting with measurable performance data, the city created a culture of continuous improvement and strengthened public trust in municipal operations.

The initiative has already produced measurable results. city leaders narrowed dozens of initiatives into eight high-impact strategic goals supported by actionable priorities and fully aligned budget resources. By focusing on fewer, more meaningful objectives, departments accelerated implementation, improved resource utilization, and achieved significant progress toward annual goals. The strategic planning process has also increased organizational alignment, ensuring that every department works toward a common vision centered on measurable community outcomes.

Indian Wells’ annual strategic planning model demonstrates how thoughtful governance can improve both organizational performance and public confidence. By integrating long-term planning, transparent budgeting, community engagement, and rigorous performance measurement, the city has created a sustainable framework for delivering exceptional public service. The initiative serves as an outstanding example of how professional local government management can translate vision into action while fostering accountability, collaboration, and lasting community trust.