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After discussions about the issue during last week’s Albert Lea City Council retreat, the council voiced support Monday during its work session to move forward with a strategic plan for the city.

Several of the councilors said though they had been against it or on the fence about it previously, they changed their minds after they heard the support for it from the city staff.

City Manager Ian Rigg said the strategic plan has been budgeted for $25,000 but the cost could depend on the company chosen to lead the plan and how in-depth it is. The plan would identify common goals and priorities for the council, staff and community moving into the future.

Sixth Ward Councilor Brian Anderson said he had been skeptical of the idea but at the local government training he had attended over the weekend, he spoke with some of the other leaders in attendance who thought it was a good idea.

“As long as it doesn’t sit on a shelf, that’s my biggest worry,” he said.

Second Ward Councilor Larry Baker said since his time on the council, he has seen a lot of similar efforts like this take place and this is the first time he has seen the staff united behind the idea of getting it done.

He said he felt confident the staff would not let it sit unused.

Rigg said the plan would be a living document and noted the importance of explaining to the public how they achieve the goals within it.

Rigg and the council talked about the need for regular reports — even quarterly — to gauge how goals are being achieved. Rigg said that was his plan to share quarterly reports with the council and public.

Mayor Rich Murray said he has done a lot of strategic planning with his own business and said he thinks as long as they would get a quality plan that could be put to good use, he would support it. He said he supported quarterly reports at a minimum.

Fourth Ward Councilor Reid Olson said while he was a little skeptical going into the discussion, he liked how it would give workers a target. He did note that it was important to spend enough on the plan, though, to get a good product that is useful.

Third Ward Councilor Jason Howland echoed the comments and said as long as the plan provides meaningful results and good follow-up, he would also support it.

Rigg said he will begin asking for proposals in the coming days.

With the city recently having completed its comprehensive plan and conducted a survey of residents, it is expected to take less time than normal to put together the strategic plan.