Strategic Planning: 2028-2032
Our current strategic plan started in 2020 and runs through 2027. As that wraps up, we're starting to build the next strategy for Milwaukee County's big priorities from 2028 through 2032. The Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance will keep this website updated as new information is available. In the meantime, feel free to reach out with questions to [email protected].
On this page:
- Draft Process
- Draft Timeline
- Join the Planning Team
- FAQs
Draft process for 2027
2027 will be our year to plan for the next 5-year cycle (2028-2032).
We expect the Countywide planning and department planning to both roughly follow the same six steps below, keeping in mind that the steps may not be linear and some might overlap! We will continue to adjust as we learn. While we hope to cover all steps in 2027, the County’s exact start and end dates are yet to be determined. In the meantime, we encourage Departments to begin thinking about emerging priorities and who should participate in developing your plan.
This is a draft and may change as plans develop.
Coming soon: call for employees to join the "2032 Planning Team"
We're looking for employees to fill a range of roles supporting strategic planning — for example, leading a workgroup, facilitating sessions, or helping pull together research and data. More details on specific roles coming soon. Selected employees will get to work with employees from across the County, and training will be offered for some roles.
Note: Some roles will require a significant time commitment throughout the planning period (January – December 2027, and possibly beyond). If you think you might be interested, start talking with your manager now, as their approval will be required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s staying the same for 2032?
Our vision, mission, and values remain the foundation for our work. We will also build on the structure we already know by having both a County Plan and individual Department Plans, each with focus areas, goals, and metrics.
What’s changing as we build towards what's next?
This current cycle of planning gave us a strong start and a lot to learn from! This time, we’re evolving towards even better planning:
- Strategic and operational goals will be separate, which makes it easier to see which are about biggger-picture and which are about day-to-day work, both of which are important to plan for.
- Measures will be defined up front, so we know from the start how we’ll track progress.
- We will choose our priorities, acknowledging that not everything we do needs to connect or "align" to a specific goal and that's ok.
- Current goals will be reviewed. Countywide, we’ll look at how current goals are going and decide which to keep, adjust, or retire. We encourage departments to do the same. (More Department Planning guidance coming soon.)
How are the County Plan and Department Plans different?
The County Plan will focus on 3 to 5 big goals for the whole County. We will have some that will be about improving life in Milwaukee, and others will be about how well we operate. Some Department goals will connect to County goals in the County Plan, and some won’t. Department Plans are used to go deeper on the things that only you can do.
How do I get involved and stay informed?
- Sign up using the form on this page.
- Talk with your department liaison or your manager?
- Watch for updates on this website. We'll also post major updates in the all-employee What’s Up email.
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