Comprehensive Plans

A Comprehensive Plan is a report resulting from a public process that addresses as many of the various elements needed to sustain a local population as extensively as possible. Each individual component is publicly examined, and the Plan brings them all together to look at how they interact in the big picture. The Comprehensive Plan is designed to enable a community to enhance the quality of life for all present and future members by describing near-term improvements as well as long-term development; it is a blueprint for growth, designed by community members for community members, to help the city reach its fullest potential for all.

The Comprehensive Planning process encourages public input through many avenues (town hall meetings, public forums, focus groups, outreach, and an open door at City Hall for example), allowing citizens to shape the Plan and support the projects resulting from planning efforts. For the Plan to be successful, the public must support the recommended projects, help prioritize them, and approve of the limited resources allocated for them. Because staff and funds at city governments are scarce, involving residents in the planning process empowers them to engage at a higher level and to participate in the actual realization of various elements of the Plan, developing committees, coalitions, and task forces and implementing projects that will address the needs of the community and enhance the quality of life through infrastructure and amenities deemed important. While city governments can facilitate these efforts, the public is integral to making any community thrive.

Current Planning Efforts

Active Comprehensive Plan

Past City of Smithville Comprehensive Plans

Other Plans

Useful Links & Resources

Citizens and residents can find many useful resources on the Internet for the help they need to become fuller participants in government. The list below provides a few links to some helpful websites. Many, many more exist that are not listed here. It is hoped that these resources will give you a start to help you find what you are seeking.

County, Regional, State, & Federal Agencies