La Plata County is looking to residents for help in setting its priorities.

The county announced Tuesday it will update its strategic plan after community meetings scheduled to take place next month in Durango, Breen and Ignacio. County commissioners have asked for public input as they consider the issues and principles that will guide the county’s work for the next five years.

“We just want to make sure that it’s up to date (and) reflects the vision and mission of this Board of County Commissioners, and we want to make it is more user-friendly for residents,” said Ted Holteen, spokesman for La Plata County.

The county will hold its first public meeting at 1 p.m. April 11 in the county administration building on East Second Avenue in Durango. The county will hold additional meetings at the Breen Grange at 6:30 p.m. April 12 and the Ignacio Community Library at 6:30 p.m. April 13.

County staff members will outline the strategic plan’s development process before seeking input from residents.

Attendees will be asked what issues in the county they find most pressing, what issues they feel are not being discussed that could affect the future of the county and how county government can address those issues.

While the county’s strategic plan may seem inconsequential, Holteen said it serves as a guide for both commissioners and county staff members.

Commissioners often cite the county’s strategic plan when considering projects and other county initiatives, and the document ultimately informs their decisions, he said.

“That’s something that we relate back to when either they make a decision, resolution, etc. It’s almost like saying, ‘We're making this decision in line with our strategic plan,’” Holteen said.

La Plata County typically revises its strategic plan every five years, but it last updated its plan in 2011.

The updated strategic plan will reflect the latest concerns and values of residents, business owners, nonprofits, health care providers and other groups in La Plata County, as well as the contemporary goals of the county commissioners.

The county’s current decade-old plan prioritizes six “core strategies”: economic stability, sustainable development, environmental protection, transportation, community health, and efficient and effective county government.

During the last decade, the county has faced many of the same issues, but others have emerged as priorities.

Homelessness, affordable housing, substance abuse and the effects of population growth do not appear in the county’s current plan, though residents have expressed concern about those issues recently.

Holteen said the development of affordable and workforce housing will likely make its way into the strategic plan as the county prioritizes solutions to its housing crisis.

“I'm sure we’re going to hear from people about that, and it’s already a goal of the commissioners,” he said. “I will be shocked if that does not appear a little more prominently in the revision.”

After the meetings, Holteen will compile the public input and present it to the commissioners during their April 15 retreat. Commissioners will then discuss their own goals and the county will incorporate both into a new strategic plan that will go on its website.

In an effort to make the plan more accessible, residents will be able to see the county’s priorities and the work the county is doing to address them. The county will finish the revised plan this summer, Holteen said.

“This is not something the average resident is waiting for, but once you know it’s there it’s useful,” he said. “We would just like to make it a little more visible.”

Community groups have already expressed interest in participating and several have notified the county that they plan to attend the meeting in Durango, he said.

Those unable to attend the meetings can submit comments directly to Holteen via email at ted.holteen@co.laplata.co.us or by phone at 382-6265.

As the county looks to revise its priorities, Holteen said public participation is critical.

“(The strategic plan) is a good guiding compass, so it’s certainly worth revisiting,” he said. “We’d love to hear from folks just to see what’s important.”

ahannon@durangoherald.com