Parks raises concerns before strategic plan passes
Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved its 2026-27 strategic plan during its meeting Thursday, Feb. 26, despite concerns about ambiguity raised by resident Kim Parks.
“I want to begin by saying that strategic planning is important. Vision matters. Priorities matter. Words matter,” Parks said. “… And that’s exactly why I am here because the language used in the 2026 Strategic Planning Priorities document deserves closer examination.
“The document opens with a beautiful vision … but when we move from vision to implementation, the language becomes broader and in some cases, more ambiguous.
“For example, the plan states the Town will ‘identify properties that could be strategically rezoned to commercial.’ That single sentence carries enormous weight,” she said. “Which properties? Under what criteria? At whose request? With what public input before identification occurs?”
The resolution for the strategic plan stemmed from a Board workshop retreat in January.
“The Town of Farragut initiated its first strategic plan in 2010 and hired Raftelis Consulting to facilitate updating the plan in 2017 and 2023,” Town administrator David Smoak said. “The Farragut strategic plan helps identify the vision, mission and values of the organization and guides decision-making by prioritizing critical success factors the Town needs to pursue over the next few years.
“Each department in the Town will set its priorities for the year based on these critical success factors, which will also help guide the Town’s budget priorities heading into FY2027 and beyond,” he said.
“The Town’s strategic plan starts with a vision statement of who we are as a community: ‘Farragut — setting the standard for quality of life with a beautiful, close-knit, connected community where individuals, families and businesses thrive,’” Smoak read from the document.
The Town’s mission and values, as an organization, are defined as “an appealing and engaged community set apart by a dedicated team committed to integrity, adaptability and friendly service,” he said.
“Finally, the Town has identified five critical success factors essential for fostering a thriving and sustainable community,” he added.
Those factors include:
• Connecting the community with excellent parks, greenways, trails, sidewalks and recreation programs.
• Enhancing the Town’s financial position.
• Collaborating at the local, state and federal levels.
• Supporting and caring for our team.
• Advancing a high-quality and well-maintained community.
“In focusing on these key areas, the Town’s goal is to enhance the quality of life of our residents, position ourselves for long-term stability with the ability to invest in essential community services, foster strategic partnerships and effective governance, enhance workplace culture and service delivery and ensure a safe, attractive and welcoming community,” Smoak said.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Jan. 23 to discuss policy and project priorities for the upcoming fiscal year during its workshop retreat.
In other business, the Board:
• Honored the late Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Mowery, a Farragut native and Farragut High School Class of 2013 graduate, for his dedication as a deputy who died in the line of duty while on patrol Dec. 28, 2025.
• Approved a 5K Race for a Reason on Sunday, April 26, beginning at Mountain High Outfitters, 11367 Parkside Drive, with the route running through parts of Farragut.
