NORTHEAST MICHIGAN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Year 2001

STRATEGIC PLAN

Adopted August, 2000

Mission Statement: 

NEMCOG is a team of highly motivated individuals who are dedicated to the betterment of the Northeast Michigan Region.  The team is committed to facilitating the development of intergovernmental cooperation and coordination within the eight counties of the northeast region.  The agency provides for controlled growth policy, to preserve, and improve the environment, to pursue greater efficiency and responsibilities of local units of government, and to improve their ecological social, and economic well being. 

Our Members:  

The team is committed to providing the members with high quality programs and services which reflect upon the preservation and enhancement of the ecological, economic, and social well being of the region.  The team members will be comprised of individuals who are professionals with dedication and integrity. 

Our Funders:  

The team is committed to completing the goals and objectives of projects and activities in a timely fashion, as set forth in the terms of the contracts. Funding will be sought and accepted as it relates to the overall mission of the agency. The decisions made within the confines of the projects will be carried out based on personal integrity and efficiency.

Our Staff: 

The agency is committed to the recruitment and development of the best individuals to fulfill the goals of the programs. The individuals are provided opportunities to grow and have a vested interest in the success of the Agency. The agency maintains an open-door policy at all levels, encouraging the flow of communication and exchange of ideas. 

NEMCOG Organizational Goal: Obtain, Develop and Maintain Sufficient Human Resources and Organizational Infrastructure to accomplish the Mission of the Agency.  

Objective One: On an annual basis, evaluate staffing requirements in relation to organizational needs and provide for staff management, development, and evaluation. 

Objective Two: On an ongoing basis, obtain and maintain necessary equipment materials,

NEMCOG Development Goal: Ensure Adequate And Stable Financial Resources.

Objective One: Increase overall revenue in 2001 by at least 10%.

Objective Two: Prepare a Balanced Budget and obtain board approval by September 30, 2000.

Objective Three: Organize a subcommittee to explore financial long- term stability.

Objective Four: Promote NEMCOG through the dissemination of quarterly newsletters, program highlights, and a home page.

NEMCOG Year 2001 Census Goal:  Increase the awareness of  the results of the Year 2000 Census of the citizenry of the northeast region. 

Objective Three: Educate public on how to use census and where to find it on the internet.  

NEMCOG Information and Education Goal: Educate and inform key audiences on the Needs of the Region.

Objective One: Identify key legislators which serve on the House and Senate priority committees.

Objective Two: Meet with key legislators on region's needs at least two times in FY 2001.

Economic and Community Development Goal: Accommodate residential, commercial, and industrial development in a way that is compatible with the preservation and protection of the overall ecological and cultural values of the Northeast Region of Michigan.

Objective One: Continue to provide economic and community planning assistance on a Regional and community-wide basis.

Objective Two: Continue to provide technical assistance to member communities in the realm of grant seeking and preparation.

Objective Three: Continue to provide technical assistance for entrepreneurial ventures which will create or retain permanent jobs or otherwise improve the community's economy.

Objective Four: Continue to provide other technical assistance to member communities and associated economic and community development agencies. 

Objective Five: Continue to provide updated data bases to local units and other public and private entities.

Objective Six: Promote regional opportunities to enhance tourism.

Objective Seven: Continue to encourage the construction of affordable housing.

Natural Resources Goal: Preserve, protect, and enhance the overall ecological values of the Northeast Region of Michigan, including its large forested areas, its essential character, and its potential to recover from disturbance. 

Objective One: Develop, in partnership with other agencies, a watershed protection 319 grant application for the lower reaches of the  Cheboygan River Watershed.

Objective Two: Develop, in partnership with other agencies, a Nonpoint Source Watershed Protection Plan for the Thunder Bay River Watershed.

Objective Three: Develop a River-care Program to facilitate on-going erosion control projects.

Objective Four: Continue to promote and secure funding for groundwater protection and education.

Objective Five: Initiate water quality testing program in Region.

Objective Six: Assist with implementation of the Black River Watershed Plan.

Regional Solid Waste Management: Provide for the protection of the Public's health and quality of the natural resources: air, land, ground and surface waters, by reducing the dependency on landfills through the implementation of a resource recovery program.

Objective Two: Continue to assist with the coordinated recycling programs throughout the region

Objective Three: Expand and improve composting opportunities throughout the region.

Objective Four: Develop a coordinated Resource Recovery Education Program to increase the understanding of the benefits of reducing, reusing, and recycling solid wastes.            

Objective Five: Develop a coordinated system for household hazardous waste collection and disposal.

Regional Transportation Goal: Enhance and improve the transportation systems, including recreational links such as: bike trails, snowmobile trails, and ski trails.

Objective One: Continue to sponsor the regional rural transportation planning committee for the Northeast Region.

Objective Three: Continue to access management by conducting a series of access management workshops throughout the region.

Objective Four: Continue to assist communities in development of corridor/transportation plans that will address current concerns and future needs.

Objective Five: Continue to provide information and technical assistance on planning for walkable communities.

Geographic Information Services (GIS) Goal: Establish a successful regional geographic information system based on: 1) reliable and usable data, 2) organization and accessibility of data, and 3) data partnerships with other agencies and the private sector.

Objective One: Continue to support the regional GIS Users group.

Objective Two: Continue to build a database as completely as possible for the eight county region.

Objective Three: Continue to make GIS available to units of government in the region.

Regional Land Use Planning Goal: To develop a regional, coordinated effort among agencies and local government for the management of future growth of private lands in the Northeast region. This effort will provide for economic prosperity, and ecosystem diversity within the framework of environmental integrity. This system, based on watershed management, will provide Policies, an Information Clearinghouse, Technical Assistance, and Educational Services.

Objective One: Organize a Regional Land Use Forum/Committee to initiate an ongoing effort from which land use principles and programs can be designed to promote and facilitate smart growth development.  

Objective Two: Explore funding opportunities to develop an inventory of natural resources within the region.    

Objective Three: Meet with legislators to communicate the local/regional support for land use policies and to gain an understanding of the level of State support for land use initiatives.

Objective Four: Establish a Clearinghouse of Technical Information & Assistance to provide sound land use management (growth management) information and assistance to local units of governments and watershed managers. 

Objective One: Assist in the proper management of the Region’s recreation corridor.  

Objective One: Continue to implement policies which are already in place, such as: Cheboygan County Jail Bed Allocation Agreement, Community Service Earned Release Policy, Earned Release for GED Participation, Credit for Participation in the Intensive Outpatient Program will continued to be implemented.