About the Community Strategic Planning Process

In the fall of 2015, the Board of Supervisors approved moving forward with developing a Community Strategic Plan. Over the next several months, citizens and community members will come together with the Board of Supervisors to create a five-year plan for Roanoke County.

Step 1: Telephone Survey

In the fall of 2015, Roanoke County contracted with Roanoke College's Institute for Policy and Opinion Research to perform a random telephone survey. The survey questions included what Roanoke County citizens think are the most important strategic issues facing the County over the next five years, along with rating the importance and quality of public services the County currently offers. The survey results will be used to help citizens understand community-wide issues and concerns that affect the strategic direction of the County.

See our Telephone Survey Results page for survey results and more information.

Step 2: Developing a Vision Statement

The Board of Supervisors held a retreat on January 30, 2016, at the Vinton Branch Library devoted to several items related to the Community Strategic Plan process. Dr. Harry L. Wilson, from Roanoke College's Institute for Policy and Opinion Research, was at the retreat to present his findings and a report about the survey results.

For more information and to download a copy of the report, see our Telephone Survey Results page. After reviewing the results of the telephone survey, the Board of Supervisors created a Vision Statement that will help guide the future of our community. This Vision Statement reflects the desires expressed in the community-wide survey.

Vision Statement

Roanoke County is a vibrant, innovative, and scenic community that values its citizens, heritage, and quality of life.

Step 3: Establish Focus Areas & Form Focus Groups

At the January 30, 2016 retreat, the Board of Supervisors also determined broad topics to be addressed by Focus Groups this spring.

The following are the Board's approved Focus Group topics and hosts:

Community Health and Well-Being - Supervisor Martha Hooker
Economic Development - Chairman Jason Peters / Supervisor Al Bedrosian
Education - Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gregory Killough
Public Safety - Chairman Jason Peters
Quality of Life - Vice Chairman Joe McNamara / Supervisor Al Bedrosian
Transportation - Supervisor George Assaid

Citizen Participation

Citizens were encouraged to participate in collaborative Focus Groups that worked with Board of Supervisors members and County staff to help shape the Community Strategic Plan. Focus Group meetings were open to the public and interested citizens were encouraged to attend and participate in the meetings.Residents who signed up in advance for focus group meetings were assigned to Focus Groups that best matched their interests as space allowed. Information and updates about these focus group topics was sent via email to these individuals.

See our Focus Groups page for more information, including dates and locations of Focus Group meetings.

Step 4: Conduct Focus Group Meetings

Most Focus Group meetings were hosted by a Board of Supervisors member, with the exception of the Education Focus Group which was hosted by the Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent. All meetings were facilitated by County staff. The purpose of the Focus Group meetings was to establish goals and measurable objectives to be achieved by the community in the coming years. Focus Groups met four times this spring, beginning the week of February 29.

Focus Group meetings were open to the public and interested citizens were encouraged to attend and participate in the meetings. Residents who signed up in advance for focus group meetings were sent information and updates about the Focus Group topics via email.

See our Focus Groups page for more information.

Step 5: Public Comment & Public Meetings

From the Focus Group discussions, a draft Community Strategic Plan was developed and published for additional public comment. Two community meetings were held to receive additional comments on the entire draft plan. Public comments were received until July 5, 2016.

Community Meeting Dates

Thursday, June 16 at Vinton War Memorial 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday, June 27 at South County Library 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Public Comments

Public Comments received about the Draft Community Strategic Plan (PDF)

See our Public Comment page for more information.

Step 6: Work Session, Public Hearing & Adoption by the Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors held a work session to discuss recommended edits to the draft Community Strategic Plan July 19, 2016.
Community Strategic Plan Presentation for the Board of Supervisors Work Session July 19, 2016 (PDF)
A public hearing to receive final input on was held August 9, 2016.
The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution adopting the Community Strategic Plan at its August 9, 2016 meeting. The final Community Strategic Plan will guide the future of Roanoke County for the next several years.