In 2018, the City Commission began establishing annual priorities, and in 2021, City Hall engaged the Atlantic Beach community and businesses in a conversation that resulted in the Commission adopting the 2040 Community Vision Statement. The City’s vision statement (www.coab.us/vision) is an omnipresent reminder of what the community told City Hall – and what the City Commission codified with a resolution – it wants Atlantic Beach to be like and look like in 2040. Atlantic Beach resident Linda Lanier expertly facilitated the process that resulted in the visioning process, as she does the City’s annual priority-setting exercise.
With the vision statement solidly in place, it’s a best practice for forward-thinking organizations to add value to the visioning process by establishing a mission statement, which communicates the purpose of the organization; and a values statement, which reflects the organization’s core principles and ethics. So, over several months this year, City staff undertook an extensive, shared initiative in which the entire workforce was invited and 69 employees directly participated.
The thoughtful insight and rationale that the City staff provided resulted in mission and values statements that were approved by resolution by the City Commission on Aug. 22. It is intended for the mission and values statements to serve as a lighthouse that guides the City staff’s path to making the 2040 Community Vision a reality. Questions? Email info@coab.us or call (904) 247-5804.
Mission
(What we do, who we do it for, and the value we bring to AB.)
The City of Atlantic Beach works to fulfill the goals of the City Commission’s Annual Priorities and 2040 Community Vision. Through valuable relationships with our citizens, local businesses, other stakeholders, and each other, we strive to provide the best in City services, programming, public utilities, infrastructure, and public safety. Further, we are committed to preserving the natural beauty and the quality of life in all of our neighborhoods, from the beach to the marsh, for future generations.
Values
(Why we do this work, how we do it, the underlying philosophies that guide our decision making, our corporate culture, and what we aspire to. These values link our underlying operations and decisions.)
LEADERSHIP. We recruit and retain a team of high-performing employees with diverse talents; and our workplace culture encourages initiative, innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement.
INCLUSIVENESS. We respect, listen to, and invest in our employees; we strive to be equitable; and every area of our City matters.
EFFICIENCY. Our best decisions balance thoughtfulness, fairness, swiftness, and transparency; and we use technology and data as strategic tools for decision-making.
EXCELLENCE. We strive to deliver outstanding value and customer service to our citizens, local businesses, visitors, and each other. We are reliable. We do what we say we will do with excellence, professionalism, and fiscal integrity.
2040 Vision
(Only by imagining the future can a community figure out how to get there. And that’s just what we’ve done together as a community in Atlantic Beach. A comprehensive, collaborative four-month visioning process facilitated in large part by Atlantic Beach resident Linda Lanier concluded on Dec. 13, 2021, when the City Commission adopted this 2040 community vision statement.)
In Atlantic Beach, we have a strong sense of belonging and safety. Our citizens and government care deeply about community character, and we understand that unified support is required to preserve it. We are graced with the functional beauty of our beach, our marsh, and our tree canopy. Our shady streets and multi-use paths connect our welcoming neighborhoods and vibrant local businesses. Our city supports our diverse, multigenerational, socially linked community with green spaces, active lifestyles, parks, and programming.
City Commission Priorities
(In 2018, the Atlantic Beach City Commission began undertaking an annual exercise that results in it establishing priorities for city government. This endeavor is facilitated by Atlantic Beach resident Linda Lanier, who volunteers her services. For the latest City Commission priorities, visit www.coab.us/priorities).