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Council Strategic Plan 2026 Expectations and Parameters: Goal is feedback & avoid wordsmithing Governance-level Review ONLY Staff/Facilitator will Synthesize feedback afterward Not Final Adoption Feedback Questions: Does each section generally reflect the direction Council intends? Is there anything that feels unclear, duplicative or overemphasized? What, if anything, is missing? Introduction On February 19, 2026, the Mesa Mayor and City Council convened for a Strategic Retreat to establish shared priorities, align on direction, and to map their collective visions. The retreat focused on defining the Mayor’s community initiative Elevate Mesa, hearing from the Vice Mayor and Councilmembers on their district vision and priorities, outlining the financial policies and principles as they impact the City budget, discussing economic development opportunities, and brainstorming placemaking as a value creator for the City. Why This Plan Matters Where We Want To Be Mesa’s approach emphasizes quality, proactive investment, and transparency, and is guided by the Mayor and Council’s four strategic drivers aligned with the Mesa 2050 General Plan and realized through the City’s operational priorities. Together, these ensure that people, economy, land, and governance function as one coordinated system. These themes reflect Mesa’s commitment to honoring its foundation, expanding opportunity, governing collaboratively, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Mesa’s Strategic Plan establishes a governing framework that aligns the Mayor and Council’s strategic drivers with the City’s operational priorities—into one cohesive strategy. It guides Mayor and Council decision-making to ensure that long-term vision, implementation, and financial stewardship operate together. Core Strategic Drivers Core Strategic Drivers translate Mesa’s long-range vision into enduring areas of focus that shape how resources are prioritized, growth is managed, and outcomes are achieved to advance community prosperity, quality of life, and long-term sustainability. INTENTIONAL GOVERNANCE & TRANPARENCY ECONOMY PEOPLE LAND & INFRASTRUCTURE Guiding Principle Governance Principles PEOPLE Mesa’s strong communities are built through safety, opportunity, and neighborhood stability. Council will: Prioritize safety and neighborhood stability. Support education tied to economic needs. Align housing and workforce strategies. Serve as ambassadors for strong communities. Invest in livability and community design. Strategic Outcomes PEOPLE Mesa will: Support the purpose of the driver and the Governance Principles through strategic outcomes with actionable commitments as follows: Public Safety Unified public safety, driven by outcomes—advancing continuous improvement, innovation, and community protection. Implementation of a Public Safety and Trust Index Opportunity Pursue and sustain strategic partnerships that support workforce readiness in alignment with economic opportunity Ensure balanced and attainable housing to support long- term stability. Neighborhood Stability Strengthening neighborhoods and livability through consistent standards Implement a coordinated placemaking approach that leverages community connectivity, public spaces, and enriching experiences to strengthen neighborhood vitality and long-term prosperity Guiding Principle Governance Principles Mesa’s focus on Economic Development will generate long-term fiscal value and increased regional competitiveness. Council will: Focus on long-term economic sustainability. Prioritize high-value industries. Align economic policy with infrastructure capacity. Ensure consistent evaluation standards. Strengthen public-private partnerships. ECONOMY Strategic Outcomes Mesa Will: Support the purpose of the driver and the Governance Principles through strategic outcomes with actionable commitments as follows: Long-Term Fiscal Value and Regional Competitiveness- Drive an integrated business ecosystem that aligns people, capital, infrastructure, and governance to drive business growth, attract investment, and maximize long- term fiscal value—ensuring a resilient, sustainable, and opportunity-rich community. Implementation of the Mesa Competitive Positioning Index. Implementation of the City of Mesa’s Commercial Development Review Process Improvement Initiative Implement Community Character Plans ECONOMY Guiding Principle Governance Principles Mesa's approach to land & infrastructure will support strong communities and long-term economic productivity through intentional, place-based, resilient land use and infrastructure development. Council will: Prioritize high-value infrastructure investments. Align land use with fiscal sustainability. Coordinate across planning, transportation, and utilities. Support placemaking and redevelopment. Ensure growth reflects long-term capacity. LAND & INFRASTRUCTURE Strategic Outcomes Mesa Will: Support the purpose of the driver and the Governance Principles through strategic outcomes with actionable commitments as follows: Intentional, Place-Based, and Long-Term Economic Productivity - Advance a coordinated, place-based pattern of growth and redevelopment that is intentional and responsive to the unique context of each area—creating connected, high- quality places that strengthen community connection and identity while supporting sustained economic productivity and long-term value. Invest in place-based branding and City pride strategies aligned with the Placemaking Playbook in tandem with Community Character Plans Implement Redevelopment Toolkit programs that offer place-based, coordinated support Resilient Infrastructure - Maintain a high-performing infrastructure system that is aligned with growth, sustainably managed, and capable of supporting long-term reliability, adaptability, and resilience. Certification of the 100 Year Water Supply Execute recommendations and strategies in the Mesa Conservation Action Plan and align efforts with citywide development strategies for long-term reliability, adaptability, and resilience in Mesa’s infrastructure. Execute recommendations and strategies in the City of Mesa Transportation Master Plan and align efforts with citywide development strategies for long-term reliability, adaptability, and resilience in Mesa’s infrastructure. LAND & INFRASTRUCTURE Guiding Principle Governance Principles Mesa’s approach to governance will be intentional, transparent, and disciplined—clearly communicating fiscal accountability, priorities, performance, and impacts to build trust, protect taxpayers, and ensure long-term value. Council will: Maintain strong fiscal policies. Evaluate decisions through a long-term lens. Ensure transparency across all funds. Align policy, budget, and outcomes. INTENTIONAL GOVERNANCE & TRANPARENCY Strategic Outcomes Mesa Will: Support the purpose of the driver and the Governance Principles through strategic outcomes with actionable commitments as follows: Transparent & Disciplined Governance Advance a Strong and Transparent Financial Reporting Strategy To include a communication strategy on the role of the Enterprise Fund Clear Communication of Priorities, Performance & Impacts Operationalize and Advance PerformancePlus, an Outcomes Based Management & Reporting System INTENTIONAL GOVERNANCE & TRANPARENCY Moving Forward Intentionally Honoring Foundation. Expanding Opportunity. Governing Collaboratively. Ensuring Long-Term Resilience. 2026