Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | Facebook
Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | Facebook
The City of Austin Animal Services Office (ASO), in collaboration with the Financial Services Department (FSD), has announced the launch of a community survey to gather feedback on animal services priorities. This initiative is a significant step in shaping ASO’s upcoming strategic plan, ensuring alignment with community needs and expectations.
In 2023, reviews conducted by the City Auditor’s Office and the National Center for Animal Shelter Evaluations identified misaligned departmental goals and issues with stakeholder engagement. One recommendation from the City Auditor was for the Chief Animal Services Officer to collaborate with stakeholders to develop, implement, and monitor a strategic plan.
ASO, FSD, and third-party facilitator Dr. Larry Schooler have initiated the assessment phase of this strategic planning process. Alongside launching the community survey today, this phase includes:
“We are excited to work with the community, key stakeholders and the Animal Advisory Commission to create a strategic plan that best serves the community of Austin. This collaborative effort will produce a working plan,” said Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Manager.
The community survey and additional information about the planning process are available at publicinput.com/asoplan2024. The survey will be active from July 17 to August 14, 2024.
About Austin Animal Center
Austin Animal Center is the municipal shelter for the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County. In 2011, Austin City Council passed a resolution to increase the shelter’s live outcome rate to the national no-kill standard of 90%. In 2019, Council increased the mandated rate to 95%. The center has consistently met or exceeded this rate but has had to take measures such as restricting intake due to declining adoptions in recent years.
About Financial Services Department
The Financial Services Department provides various services supporting financial management within the city. The Budget and Performance Team within FSD prepares the annual budget, supports citywide strategic planning, and offers process improvement and consulting services to city departments.
About Dr. Larry Schooler
Dr. Larry Schooler will serve as facilitator for this strategic planning process. He is a former founding manager of Austin's public engagement division and facilitated meetings on this topic during his tenure as a city employee. He currently serves as an assistant professor of practice at the University of Texas Moody School of Communication.
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