During its 2006 Strategic Planning Conference, the Board directed staff to complete an in-depth assessment of veterans' issues in Mecklenburg County. The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate current service delivery, identify service gaps, provide recommendations for eliminating gaps if any are identified, and provide an outreach plan to veterans in the community.

 

In June, County staff developed a project for achieving the Board's directive under the leadership of General Manager Janice Allen Jackson and Veterans Service Office Director Bob Weeks. I have approved the project entitled "The Status of Veterans Initiative."

 

The project's methodology relies on administering a survey to the veteran population in Mecklenburg County. A steering committee will use the survey results to develop recommendations for the Board to consider, relative to helping veterans and their families access veterans benefits.

 

The Steering Committee consists of veterans, family members of veterans, and representatives of non-profit organizations that work with veterans. In addition, staff members from most of the County's federal legislative delegation will serve in an ex-officio capacity.

 

Mr. Weeks will present a project overview to the Board's Community Health and Safety Committee on Tuesday, August 15. The final report, including recommendations, will be presented to the Board in January 2007.

 

 
Health Department Uses Multimedia to Prevent Disease

 

Last year, cases of skin infections cased by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were identified in the community. Although the infection most commonly affects young athletes engaged in sporting activities, there also are cases involving non-athletes. To address this health issue, the Mecklenburg County Health Department produced an education video about the disease and ways to prevent its spread. "Prevention of MRSA in the Athletic Setting" was received with enthusiasm by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) and is now being highlighted by organizations such as the North Carolina Public Health Association as an example of addressing public health issues in a creatively and effectively. The video is also can be purchased on line at www.meckhealth.org.

 

 

A key part of Managing for Results is having incremental plans to achieve long-term goals. Currently, the County is in the last year of its current three-year business plan covering Fiscal Years 2005-2007. As a result, staff has implemented the first steps in developing the FY 2008-2010 Strategic Business Plan (SBP) for Board consideration. The SBP:

Developing the SBP will occur in three phases. The first phase will occur between now and December. During this time, the staff leadership teams for each County focus area will assess the performance of various services based on balanced scorecard results and using program review data. The leadership teams will use this assessment to identify the desired results and services that should be top priorities over the next three fiscal years.

 

The second phase will involve the Board. In December and January, the Board will receive the recommendations about strategic priorities from the staff leadership teams. At this time, the Board will be asked to confirm or amend these strategic priorities. This task will be similar to direction the Board has provided in previous strategic planning conferences.

 

The third phase will occur between January and March. During this time, the staff leadership teams will use the Board's direction to finalize strategic business plans and identify any corresponding funding needs. This phase will culminate in developing the County Manager's Recommended Budget that will be presented to the Board in May.

 

Although this process will affect mostly staff, it also will require changing the timing of the Board's strategic planning conference. Rather than holding the conference in late January, we anticipate scheduling it for early December, with the potential for a follow-up meeting in late January or early February (the exception might be in years when a new Board is sworn-in in early December).

 

This schedule change will provide additional time to adjust the draft strategic business plan and the Board's priorities (based on the Board's direction at the strategic planning conference) prior to developing the County Manager's Recommended Budget. It also will provide the Board more time to evaluate performance and establish priorities, particularly if additional information is needed or ideas surface during the strategic planning conference.

 

We will update the Board on the development of the SBP as key milestones are reached, and in anticipation of required Board involvement.