CITY DEPARTMENTS DEVELOP OWN OUTLINE OF GOALS

Using an overall mission statement for Cape Girardeau's city government as a guide, each city department is developing an individual mission statement outlining its goals to better serve the community.

Departments are expected to submit completed mission statements by the end of January. The statements will be compiled into a handbook of sorts and made available to the public.

"It's just something to tell you what the goals of a department are," said Tracey Glenn, the city's public information officer.

The City Council approved its broad statement of goals in May, and asked the departments to do likewise.

"We asked the departments to look at how the council's views of the city fit in with the views of the individual departments," said City Manager Michael Miller.

Some departments previously had developed mission statements, while some had not. The council wanted each department to consider the council's desires and goals for the city and develop objectives to help achieve those ends.

The department's will use the mission statements as a guide for formulating policies and in governing day to day operations.

"We hope to keep those things in mind when we look at the annual budget," Miller said, so that funds can be channeled to best achieve departmental missions.

Representatives of the planning, police, fire, public works and parks and recreation departments plus the city manager's office comprise a team examining each department's mission statements. That group makes suggestions and submits the statements back to the departments for approval.

The city attorney's office, Convention and Visitors Bureau, airport and the inspections, finance, human resources and engineering departments are also developing goals.

"As we go along we will set up reviews (of the mission statements) to keep up to date and to keep our focus," Miller said.

The city's overall goals:

-- Provide a safe and secure community environment.

-- Provide the highest quality customer services to the community with equality and fairness.

-- Retain highly motivated and qualified employees committed to fulfilling community expectations.

-- Encourage and embrace innovative ideas and concepts.

-- Provide responsible stewardship of tax revenues.

-- Create an atmosphere that will promote, develop, retain and encourage economic development.

-- Invest in neighborhood vitality and sustainability.

-- Encourage a sense of community through civic partnerships and citizen involvement.