Strategic Plan Draft

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MESA STRATEGIC PLAN 
  
On February 19, 2026, the Mesa Mayor and City Council convened for a Strategic Retreat 
to establish shared priorities, align on direction, and 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. 
  
Through collaborative discussion, the Mayor and Council affirmed the importance of 
long-term thinking, transparent financial stewardship, and outcome-driven policy. The 
retreat served as the foundation for this Strategic Plan, ensuring that Mesa’s vision, 
priorities, and implementation strategies are aligned and positioned to guide the City’s 
growth and stability. 
  
Executive Summary 
  
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. 
  
Within this structure, the Mesa 2050 General Plan provides long-range vision and 
Elevate Mesa establishes standards for execution and accountability. This Strategic 
Plan integrates both into a disciplined approach focused on structural integrity, 
competitive positioning, and community stability. 
  
Mesa’s Strategy Prioritizes: 
• Thriving Community 
• Jobs and Prosperity 
• Quality Developments 
• Safe Community 
• Fiscal Responsibility 
• Efficiency and Effectiveness 
  
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

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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 resilience.

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Guiding Principle 
Mesa’s strong communities are built through safety, opportunity, and 
neighborhood stability. 
 
Purpose 
Mesa’s long-term success begins with its people. This driver focuses on maintaining the 
City’s leadership in public safety, aligning education and workforce initiatives with 
economic opportunity, supporting balanced housing, and strengthening neighborhoods 
and community connectivity.  
 
Governance Principles  
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 and Actionable Commitments 
Mesa will: 
Support the purpose of the driver and the Governance Principles through strategic 
outcomes with actionable commitments as follows: 
• Safety Outcome — Maintain our national leadership in public safety through 
innovation, performance, and public trust. (See Action Plan Items 1.1 & 1.2)

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• Opportunity Outcome 1a — Pursue, cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships 
that support workforce readiness in alignment with economic opportunity. (See 
Action Plan Item 1.3) 
 
• Opportunity Outcome 1b — Ensure balanced and attainable housing to support 
long-term stability. (See Action Plan Item 1.4)  
 
• Neighborhood Stability Outcome 1a — Strengthen neighborhoods and 
livability through consistent standards.  (See Action Plan Item 1.5) 
  
• Neighborhood Stability Outcome 1b — Implement a coordinated placemaking 
approach that leverages community connectivity, public spaces, and enriching 
experiences to strengthen neighborhood vitality and long-term prosperity. (See 
Action Plan Item 1.6)

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Guiding Principle 
Mesa’s focus on Economic Development will generate long-term fiscal value 
and increased regional competitiveness.  
 
Purpose 
Economic development is a strategic tool to strengthen Mesa’s fiscal health and 
competitiveness. The City will prioritize industries and investments that generate 
sustainable revenue, create high-quality jobs, and reinforce Mesa as a destination for 
business and tourism. 
 
Governance Principles  
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.  
 
Strategic Outcomes and Actionable Commitments 
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 Outcome — Drive an 
integrated business ecosystem that aligns people, capital, infrastructure, and 
governance to drive business growth, attract investment, and maximize long-term

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fiscal value—ensuring a resilient, sustainable, and opportunity-rich community. 
(See Action Plan Items 2.1 - 2.3)

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Guiding Principle 
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.  
 
Purpose 
Placemaking, redevelopment, and proactive planning and resource management are 
strategic tools to advance Mesa’s intentional, place-based approach to land and 
infrastructure. The City will support optimized land use and community redevelopment 
investments and will coordinate infrastructure planning and resource stewardship to 
strengthen community character; create connected, economically productive places; 
and ensure resilient, sustainable development over time.  
 
Governance Principles  
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.  
 
Strategic Outcomes and Actionable Commitments 
Mesa will: 
Support the purpose of the driver and the Governance Principles through strategic 
outcomes with actionable commitments as follows:

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• Intentional, Place-Based, and Long-Term Economic Productivity Outcome 
— 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. 
(See Action Plan Items 3.1 & 3.2) 
• Resilient Infrastructure Outcome — Maintain a high-performing infrastructure 
system that is aligned with growth, sustainably managed, and capable of 
supporting long-term reliability, adaptability, and resilience. (See Action Plan 
Items 3.3 – 3.5)

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Guiding Principle 
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. 
 
Purpose 
Governance and resource management are strategic tools to advance Mesa’s 
intentional, transparent, and disciplined approach to proactive strategic planning and 
data-informed decision-making. The City will align financial planning, capital investment, 
and budgeting practices to maintain structural balance and ensure responsible 
stewardship of public resources. Through performance management and cross-
department coordination, Mesa will connect priorities to outcomes, optimize resources, 
and deliver measurable results—ensuring accountability, long-term capacity, and public 
trust. 
 
Governance Principles  
Council will:  
• 
Maintain strong fiscal policies.  
• 
Evaluate decisions through a long-term lens.  
• 
Ensure transparency across all funds.  
• 
Align policy, budget, and outcomes.  
 
Strategic Outcomes and Actionable Commitments 
Mesa will: 
Support the purpose of the driver and the Governance Principles through 
strategic outcomes with actionable commitments as follows:

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• Transparent & Disciplined Governance Outcome — Advance a proactive, 
data-informed approach to governance that is transparent, disciplined, and 
strategically aligned—ensuring financial stability and accountable decision-
making to sustain long-term public trust and value. (See Action Plan Items 4.1 & 
4.2) 
• Clear Communication of Priorities, Performance & Impacts Outcome — 
Advance clear, consistent communication of priorities, performance, and 
community impacts—ensuring transparency, strategic alignment, and informed 
decision-making that strengthens accountability, fosters public trust, and 
optimizes resources. (See Action Plan Item 4.3)

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Implementation & Accountability  
  
Governance Rhythm  
• 
Biannual strategic retreat 
• 
Mid-year recalibration  
• 
Quarterly fiscal and economic reports  
  
Strategic Review  
Reviewed annually:  
• 
Timeline to structural balance  
• 
Bond pacing and affordability  
• 
Utility clarity and integration  
• 
Redevelopment effectiveness  
• 
Economic competitiveness  
• 
Neighborhood outcomes  
  
  
Appendix A: Additional Notes & Context  
  
  
Placemaking   
Place creates value. Value attracts investment.  
  
Priority Geographic Areas  
• 
Downtown (Arts & Innovation District)  
• 
Legacy Park / Arizona LIVE  
• 
Fiesta Mall  
• 
Mesa Riverview  
• 
Southeast Mesa  
• 
Rio Corridor  
• 
Union Area  
• 
Dana Park & Buckhorn  
  
Core Placemaking Elements  
• 
Distinct identity and design  
• 
Arts and cultural integration  
• 
Retail, dining, and entertainment  
• 
Walkability and accessibility  
• 
Green and recreational spaces  
• 
Multigenerational environments  
  
Infrastructure as Opportunity  
• 
Fiber and digital infrastructure  
• 
Transportation aligned with economic growth

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• 
Early planning to prevent future constraints  
• 
Strategic capital investment  
  
  
  
Cross-Cutting Strategic Themes  
These principles guide decision-making across all anchors.  
  
1. Emphasis on Quality  
Growth must enhance both revenue and community character.  
  
2. Destination of Choice  
Mesa must compete regionally for residents, visitors, and employers.  
  
3. Long-Term Thinking  
• 
10+ year forecasting  
• 
Future-proof economic drivers  
  
4. Protect Taxpayers  
• 
Transparent reserves  
• 
Responsible utilities and bonding  
• 
Disciplined capital planning  
  
5. Outcome-Focused Organization  
Align policy, budget, and placemaking with measurable results.  
  
6. No Silos  
Promote collaboration across departments and Council.  
  
  
Mayor & Council Priorities   
  
Mayor Freeman  
Priorities:  
• 
Quality Growth & Development  
• 
Housing Balance  
• 
Water & Infrastructure Resilience  
• 
Safe & Innovative Communities  
• 
Education & Workforce   
• 
Neighborhoods: Standards & Reinvestment  
• 
Transparent Government 
  
District 1 – Councilmember Adams  
Priority 1: Keep Mesa Safe and Strengthen Our Neighborhoods

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• 
Smart Growth  
• 
Strategic Economy  
• 
Innovative Housing  
Priority 2: Protect Our Land Through Responsible Growth and Stewardship  
Priority 3: Promote Economic Growth That Supports Our Community  
  
District 2 – Councilmember Taylor  
Priority 1: Redevelopment Opportunities  
  
District 3 – Councilmember Heredia  
Priority 1: Redevelopment  
Priority 2: Infrastructure  
Priority 3: Quality of Life  
  
District 4 – Councilmember Duff  
Priority 1: Arts and Innovation District  
Priority 2: Catalyze Vertical Growth and Job Creation Along the Arts and 
Innovation Corridor   
Priority 3: Build a Walkable, Multimodal Downtown Core  
  
District 5 – Councilmember Goforth  
Priority 1: Public Safety  
Priority 2: Responsive and Market Differentiated Development  
Priority 3: Executive Business Aviation Airport at Falcon Field  
  
District 6 – Vice Mayor Somers  
Priority 1: The Economy – Attract sectors that bring more high-value jobs per 
acre.  
Priority 2: The Land – Improve synergy of development.  
Priority 3: The People – Reinforce focus on Quality Retail Initiatives with 
measures.