At their meeting earlier this month, Palm Beach‘s Town Council approved a number of the Strategic Planning Board’s recommendations for its long-range plan for the town.

Over the past 15 months, the Strategic Planning Board—led by Mayor Danielle Moore—has been working on a plan to replace the one developed under the guidance of her mother, then-Mayor Lesly Smith, in 2003 and updated in 2012, which offers direction on policy relating to the town’s physical and economic growth. In a unanimous vote, the Town Council accepted the Board’s vision statements, critical success factors, strategic focus areas, and strategic priorities, which will be incorporated into budget planning for fiscal year 2024.

Approved strategic priorities include community culture and character; environmental stewardship; mobility and transportation; a safe and resilient community; and governmental leadership and innovation. Critical success factors include quality of life; a collaborative town government; preservation of community, culture, and character; proactive management of environmental threats; sound fiscal management; safe, clean, on-demand drinking water; and preservation of the town’s historical commercial districts and businesses.

Over the past three years, Palm Beach has grown exponentially, drawing concerns about development, traffic, and preservation. With an influx of new residents from the West Coast and Northeast, the demographic of Palm Beach has also shifted.

“We had a very strong group of Palm Beach citizens with very diverse backgrounds,” said Council Member Skip Aldridge. “This team worked effectively under the leadership of Mayor Dani Moore, and with the excellent guidance of Trainnovations Consulting. Having worked in strategic planning many times over my 45 year career, the output of this group was among the best effort in which I have participated. I think the town is very well positioned for the next 5 to 10 years.”