By Ken Suer
2026 — ANOTHER new year! It seems like we were just saying hello to 2025, but here we are twelve
months later already. Another year brings more opportunities for action, inaction, success, failure,
progress, or no progress.
As an individual, the onset of a new year causes me to think about what to do, when to do it, and what
might be the impact or results.
The City must constantly ask these same questions. In order to get anything done, planning must occur.
Many organizations you are familiar with go through similar processes—brainstorming, needs assessments,
goal setting, progress reviews, measuring previous results, benchmarking etc., etc..
Every five years, we develop a new Strategic Plan. Our current 2022-2026 Plan includes six major goal
areas: Infrastructure & Facilities, Financial Stability, Economic Development, Communication & Community
Engagement, Activities, Events & Recreation, and Staffing & Workforce Development. Also included are
detailed strategies for implementation.
The City uses this strategic planning “blueprint” to get everyone in alignment regarding what needs to
be done. We are getting ready to develop the latest five-year Strategic Plan. Each of these plans is a bit
different because priorities can change as we look ahead. As usual, we will be surveying Montgomery
residents and businesses to get their very valuable input.
Whether as an individual or in the case of an organization, days, weeks, and months inevitably become
years. In some ways, there is never enough time. In other ways, there is plenty of time. Time can be used
well or wasted. Both individuals and cities create legacies over time—these can be impressive, so-so, or
deficient. The City of Montgomery wants to create a very impressive legacy of continuous improvement
and achievement—one that will make everyone proud.
Some parting thoughts:
“It is how we choose what we do, and how we approach it that will determine whether the sum of our days
adds up to a formless blur or something resembling a work of art.” —Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
“A goal without a plan is a wish.”—Gregory Salisbury
You and I and the City have much to accomplish. GOOD LUCK WITH ALL OF YOUR ENDEAVORS IN 2026!