What is a Strategic Plan and Why Does It Matter?

A strategic plan is our community’s roadmap—it lays out where we’re headed and how we’ll get there, so city resources are used wisely and decisions reflect what matters most to residents. By setting long-term goals and aligning them with our values, a strategic plan keeps us focused, accountable, and prepared for challenges and opportunities ahead. It’s not just a document—it’s a commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant Lake Stevens together.

Why did the City do Strategic Planning?

• Prioritization and focus
• Get the right things done by the right people
• Help reduce employee burnout
• Shared understanding of goals
• Clarity on projects and initiatives 

Our Vision

We are a thriving community that promotes a vibrant economy, preserves natural beauty, and supports an exceptional quality of life for all.

Our Mission

Provide a safe and desirable community with open communication and dedicated public service.

Our City Values and How They Work Together

In 2025, Lake Stevens updated its City Values to reflect what matters most to our organization and community. These values—such as accountability, collaboration, innovation, and respect—are the foundation for how we operate every day. They guide how we make decisions, interact with residents, and deliver services.

• Our values, mission, vision, and strategic plan work together as a unified framework:
• Values define the principles we live by.
• Mission explains our purpose and how we serve the community.
• Vision describes the future we are striving to create.
• Strategic Plan provides the roadmap to achieve that future.
• Together, they ensure that every project, policy, and interaction aligns with our shared goals and community priorities.
• Vision describes the future we are striving to create.
• Strategic Plan provides the roadmap to achieve that future.

Our City Values

For All Employees:

• Act with Integrity – Build trust through ethical behavior in our actions, ensuring decisions are guided by good judgment, honesty, and adherence to policy and best practices.
• Deliver Excellent Service – Strive for outstanding service by solving problems creatively, holding ourselves accountable for results, and maintaining respect and professionalism.
• Collaborate with Purpose – Build strong partnerships by communicating effectively, fostering constructive relationships, and acting with positive intent toward shared goals.

For Managers and Supervisors:

• Embrace a Strategic Mindset – Align actions with long-term goals, encourage innovative thinking, and foster continuous improvement.
• Practice Engaged Leadership – Lead by example, prioritize growth and well-being, and empower teams to reach their full potential.

Strategic Focus Areas

Community Vitality: We aim to create a safe, welcoming, and vibrant community.

• Sustaining and promoting public safety.
• Attracting people to Lake Stevens through events and amenities.
• Supporting a positive business environment with efficient city processes.
• Expanding services by engaging community groups and volunteers.

Accessible and Optimal Infrastructure: We are committed to designing and maintaining infrastructure that meets current and future needs.

• Building thoughtful, cost-effective, and creative infrastructure.
• Maintaining existing assets while planning for growth.
• Improving sidewalks, shared roadways, and connected trails for accessibility.
• Ensuring infrastructure investments deliver the greatest public benefit.

Organizational Innovation and Excellence: We strive for exceptional service and continuous improvement.

• Investing in employee development and wellness.
• Leveraging technology and innovative practices.
• Streamlining processes for residents and businesses.
• Building strong internal and external relationships to enhance service delivery.

Environmental Stewardship: We protect and enhance Lake Stevens’ natural beauty.

• Preserving and improving natural habitats.
• Promoting climate-conscious decisions and sustainability.
• Enhancing access to parks and public spaces.
• Improving water quality and watershed health.

How We Built the Strategic Plan

Creating this plan was a collaborative process that reflects the voice of our community, elected officials and city staff. It began with a community-led visioning session in fall 2022, where residents shared ideas and priorities for Lake Stevens’ future. In 2023, the City Council and department heads finalized our updated mission and vision statements, ensuring they align with those community values. Throughout 2024, we worked diligently with all city staff to turn that vision into action by formulating the Strategic Plan. The result is a comprehensive roadmap that will guide decisions and investments from 2025 through 2030, keeping us focused on what matters most to our residents.

What’s Next

To ensure our Strategic Plan remains on track, the City will conduct quarterly or periodic Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reviews. These reviews measure progress toward our goals and allow us to make adjustments when needed. This process matters because it ensures accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement—keeping our commitments to residents front and center as we work toward a thriving future for Lake Stevens.