Columbia updates strategic report
Columbia has released a progress report on its current strategic plan.
You may remember when ABC 17 News took a look earlier this month at how the 2016 – 2019 plan was coming along. In that report, ABC 17 News found some successes and some challenges still facing the city and its residents.
In the annual report released to the city council Monday night, the city claims it has increased average wages from $34,408 in 2015, to $36,442 this year.
It also says the city had attracted 145 new jobs and more will be coming with the $141 million Aurora Organic Dairy facility and American Outdoor Brands.
From the economy to social equity, the Columbia Police Department says it’s exceeded its goals for positive contacts with residents in the north and east outreach neighborhoods but fell behind slightly in the central neighborhood. The city says it plans to bring its community outreach model to a fourth neighborhood, which may be the northeast area.
The Healthy Lifestyles program to increase the number of people eating fruits and vegetables four or more time a week was successful last year, but has been discontinued this year because the grant expired.
On the public safety front, the city has bought the property for its new north police precinct facility. CPD also says the perception of safety has increased by 3 percent.
