Vision, Mission, and Values [DRAFT]

The City of Camrose’s vision is our overarching goal; our aspiration for the future that we continually work towards:

Camrose is a community where opportunity blossoms.

The City’s mission is the reason for our existence:

The City of Camrose provides services and amenities that contribute to an exceptional quality of life for citizens and businesses.

The City’s values are the ways we work together and things we believe are important:

1. Health and safety focus. We prioritize the health and safety of our citizens and employees in all that we do.
2. Intentional decision-making lens. We intentionally strive to balance four perspectives – fiscal, environmental, social, and strategic direction – by focusing our decision making for the benefit of all.
3. Responsible governance. We deliver municipal services in ways that provide the best value. We seek to use knowledge, experience, and professionalism to steward the public’s resources carefully. We use forward-thinking leadership to continually improve our organization and our community.
4. Active communication and engagement. We actively engage with citizens and staff through transparent municipal decision-making. We communicate with respect and integrity.

Four Strategic Focus Areas for 2026 - 2029 [DRAFT]

The following four Strategic Focus Areas are essential to our community’s continued success:

1. Invest in our People and Processes
2. Foster Collaborative Relationships
3. Optimize Asset Management
4. Support a Strong Economy and Community Wellbeing

A. Invest in our People & Processes [DRAFT]

Outcome: City staff are well-trained, resourced, and equipped to achieve City goals and to provide excellent services to the public and other City Departments. The City is a desirable workplace; it has a healthy, positive organizational culture with employee appreciation, opportunities for growth, and a strong sense of team.

The City has a robust Legislative Framework with Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures that guide both Council decision making and employee work plans. Modern technology and systems are in place that meet current expectations of citizens and support internal services. Reliable work processes, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making help the City manage its assets and provide excellent services.  

Initiatives:

• Invest in employee training to support changing workforce requirements.
• Ensure a strong organizational culture, measured through employee engagement surveys.
• Ensure adequate resources, policies, and procedures are provided for staff to meet established service levels.
• Ensure appropriate succession planning and position risk management practices are in place.
• Streamline and strengthen Project Planning and Change Management practices.

B. Foster Collaborative Relationships [DRAFT]

Outcome: The City maintains strong, positive relationships with residents, businesses and developers, stakeholders, institutions, education and health care partners, and all levels of government. These partnerships embrace new opportunities while strengthening long-term collaboration in pursuit of shared goals. To prioritize the social and economic well-being of its residents, the City actively engages in cooperative initiatives that support a sustainable and resilient future.

Meaningful local engagement fosters trust between the City, community organizations, and residents, resulting in more informed decisions and more effective outcomes. The City also advocates to government partners for funding, support, and legislation that address both current and emerging community needs.

Initiatives

• Develop and implement an Intergovernmental Strategy that positions the City for success.
• Work with neighbouring Municipalities and municipal organizations on advocating for shared priorities including transportation and funding.
• Update the Public Engagement Policy Framework and develop Policies that continue to consider community input into decision making.
• Provide clear and accurate information to the community regarding City services, emerging issues, and intergovernmental engagement.
• Update the Intermunicipal Collaborative Framework and associated agreements.
• Develop Policy on City support for Community Organizations and events.
• Continue to explore opportunities for regional emergency services.
• Work with regional and Provincial Ministries and agencies to secure alternative water source.

C. Optimize Asset Management [DRAFT]

Outcome: The City manages its vertical (buildings, etc), linear (pipes and roads, etc), mobile (vehicles), and natural (people and nature) assets to maximize their value to the community and limit lifecycle costs for maintenance and replacement. The City uses a proactive, data-based, long-term asset management approach to meet defined service levels for the community and optimize the assets required to provide services. The City looks for synergies in services when planning future facilities. Priorities, policies, tools, and funding are in place to provide direction for the asset management program. The City monitors and maintains its assets to prepare the organization and community to be resilient to climate impacts and other emergencies.

Initiatives:

• Implement and update the Strategic Asset Management Plan.
• Prioritize condition assessments and long term planning to minimize unplanned failures.
• Actively seek and secure grants to support investments in infrastructure.
• Prepare Asset Management Plans for each operational service area.
• Develop environmental and sustainability plans for natural areas and water.
• Revise Recreation Master Plan to address growing community needs.
• Develop an Urban Forest Master Plan.
• Complete a water supply analysis to fully analyze risk profile of current water source.

D. Support a Strong Economy and Community Wellbeing [DRAFT]

Outcome: Camrose has a bold vision for a strong and diverse economy. Camrose is known as a great city to do business. Its regional economy provides opportunities for all people, families, businesses, and the community to flourish. Camrose is proud of the incredible features of our community including our exceptional recreation, arts, and cultural amenities and activities. The City develops strong relationships with the local business community to encourage their growth. Camrose further builds our economic base by attracting sustainable, innovative industries and entrepreneurs. Camrose citizens and businesses are actively engaged in and feel a strong sense of connection to the community.

Initiatives:

• Update the Economic Development Plan.
• Support community driven events through promotion, grants, and in-kind support.
• Support growth and resiliency initiatives in the local business community.
• Evaluate City-Owned sites for service and asset optimization.
• Evaluate Policy options for Industrial investment supports.
• Evaluate City Transit service levels and optimize for community access.
• In collaboration with partners, address emerging social and economic wellbeing issues.
• Examine sustainable water supply options that support industrial development while maintaining water security for the City.
• Develop a Social Master Plan.