02-09-2026 Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Threats: External Challenges Threats are external factors that could disrupt stability, constrain growth, or reduce the City's ability to achieve its objectives. These include economic, regulatory, or competitive conditions that must be anticipated and mitigated through foresight and preparation. While largely outside the City's control, understanding these forces allows leaders to plan proactively, safeguard public resources, and maintain resilience in a changing environment Competition and Economics • Nearby cities actively recruiting employers, talent, and residents • Development bypass— projects locating just outside city limits • Global economic factors including tariffs affecting local industry Capacity Constraints • Workforce limitations in both quantity and skill alignment • Inflation and growth demands potentially outpacing capacity without reinvestment • Staff turnover risk if culture and compensation lag peer cities Regulatory and Perception • Governmental regulations creating compliance burdens • Negative attitudes and development perception —reputation as difficult for business • Political strife and fractured systems affecting education and collaboration Council did not identify as many Threats as they did other elements in the SWOT. However, the Threats discussed were significant and widely shared. After grouping, the "big three" identified threats were,: o Regional Competition - This was described in the context of money and people "dumping into the state" and region, with the city needing to direct some of this regional growth their way. The competition for this growth opportunity is seen as a major threat. • Economic Challenges - The discussion focused on the Global Economy with significant linkage to trade policy. Political Issues were also discussed as influencing economic aspects with a specific example given of a project being influenced by the political climate. It was noted that some economic aspects are driven by what was described as largely a political choice rather than economic reality or necessity. o Workforce Limitations - This Threat was linked to limitations in local skills training within certain industries and the inability to scale it out. It was also referred to as an issue of "human training" as related to customer service, adaptability, and resiliency in the up and coming workforce.