The Town Council gave approval to a new Strategic Plan document at its regular meeting on May 18.

The council voted 6-0 to approve the document prepared by the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission (SPAC).

Council members praised SPAC members for creating a streamlined version of the original document adopted in 2006.

The Vision Statement calls out Fountain Hills as a “distinctive community with long-term economic sustainability and vitality anchored with an active and vibrant town citizenship that served to invigorate a rich cultural, social and economic quality of life.”

The value statement calls for the preservation of health, well-being and safety of all residents and visitors. This includes championing diversity, responsibility, stewardship and encouraging a strong community that meets the needs of a balanced, growing demographic.

The plan is based on five major strategic goals: economic growth, infrastructure maintenance, demographic balance, financial stability and sustainability and community and quality of life.

The strategic objectives that go with each goal are outlined:

Economic growth – market Fountain Hills, sustain commercial businesses and promote tourism.

Infrastructure maintenance – invest in Fountain Hills infrastructure and promote environmentally friendly initiatives.

Demographic balance – attract demographic balance (with a focus on development of the State Trust Lane) and market and promote Fountain Hills as a unique place.

Financial stability and sustainability call for the identification of sources of revenue.

Community and quality of life – promote education system, utilize intergovernmental relations to achieve priorities and leverage the talents of residents to the town’s advantage.

Councilman Henry Leger suggested an addition aimed at higher education. SPAC Chairman Dana Saar said that objective is certainly implied by several points of the plan. However he had no objection to making it specific.

Councilman Cecil Yates said he likes the idea of making it a specific objective and supported Leger’s motion.

The council approve the updated motion and they voted unanimously on the original motion to adopt the plan.