City of Columbia seeks public input for strategic plan updates

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia announced Wednesday that its looking for community feedback to update its 2021 Strategic Plan.

The city said it wants the plan to reflect the community’s future priorities. Its gathering the feedback through a number of ways including a survey, ideas wall and discussion forum. Three public forums will also be held, but the dates have not yet been announced.

The city has hired BerryDunn, a national consulting firm, to assist in the update process. Along with guiding city priorities the strategic plan also helps with decision-making and long-term planning as Columbia continues to grow.

The City began developing the 2021 Strategic Plan in summer 2018, before the 2016-19 Strategic Plan concluded. The plan was finalized and adopted by City Council in February 2021 and was later updated in 2023 and 2024.

Former Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched the investigation into the city's practices in July 2025.  A press release from Bailey's office stated at the time that the investigation would focus on "decision-making in city programs, hiring and funding," according to previous reporting. In Feb. 2026 the Columbia city officials said it had not had communication with the attorney general's office regarding the investigation.

The city hired D'Andre Thompson as its first diversity, equity and inclusion officer in 2023. The city had said at the time that Thompson would lead "the development and implementation of DEI initiatives that help support the City's Strategic Plan."

The city also voted in June 2025 against striking DEI-related language from the city's mission and vision statements. The vote meant that the city would keep its vision statement as, “Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play,” and its mission statement to say, “To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.”

The city also voted to keep its definition of "equity" the same, reading “we will ensure all residents have fair access to services, opportunities, and resources regardless of their background, neighborhood, income, or identity.” 

The City Manager's Office and the Attorney General's Office was not immediately available for comment.