Strategic Goals & Priorities | Town of Knightdale, NC

Focal Areas

The Town Council will endeavor to successfully implement the Knightdale Strategic Plan. The Council will use the plan to guide its decision-making to ensure that their decisions are aligned with the objectives laid out in the plan. A key component of the plan is the identification and adoption of strategic priorities.

These priorities represent all projects/programs/initiatives necessary to fully realize the Focus Areas of the Knightdale Strategic Plan. The Town Manager will work, in conjunction with the Department Directors, to recommend priorities that advance the Town’s strategic vision. These departmental recommendations will be formalized in a Strategic Goals & Priority calendar that identifies each item along with a target fiscal year for completion. These strategic goals will be adopted by the Council annually.

The Town Manager has the overall responsibility for implementing the plan and will work in conjunction with the town staff to achieve the results envisioned by Council and the community. The Manager will facilitate an annual planning retreat for the Council, to ensure that the Knightdale Strategic Plan is a living document, which continually evolves to fulfill the mission and vision of our organization.

SAFE

Safe

Knightdale is a safe community, where residents feel secure throughout the Town, the crime rate is low, and public safety personnel have a positive relationship with the community.

Implementation Items	Administration Project Manager	CIP Approval Required	Funding Committed	Target Date
Convert Public Safety Center to Law Enforcement Center New 36,000 square foot facility to include Fire Administration	Tripp	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Maintain Insurance Service Office Public Protection Classification (ISO) of 2 Town’s commitment to ensure affordable insurance premiums for residents and commercial property owners	Yeatts	No	Yes	FY2027*
Ensure All Law Enforcement Credentialing Commitments Meet all CALEA, NCLEA, and NCLM Risk Review Compliance Requirements	Tripp	No	Yes	FY2027*
Complete a Pedestrian Lighting Pilot Project Explore amending lighting specifications to increase pedestrian safety	Tripp	Yes	No	FY2027
Design New Facility for Fire Station 2 Existing station to be relocated to Mailman Road	Yeatts	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Facilitate Fire Station 3 Improvements Exterior renovations and installation of Plymovent system	Tripp	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Support NC Vision Zero Initiative Global strategy and ethical approach aimed at eliminating all traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all road users Upcoming fiscal year projects include the creation of a Knightdale Vision Zero Communications Plan and McKnight Drive bus stop improvements	Tripp	No	Yes	FY2027*
Explore Feasibility of Adding Mental Health Professional(s) within Police Department Explore potential benefits to enhance public safety and officer wellness through crisis co-response, on-scene de-escalation, and mental health support Serve as an expansion of the Department's IACP One Mind Campaign	Tripp	No	No	FY2027
Deploy New Fire Apparatus in Service Tiller ladder truck and fire engine	Yeatts	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Acquire Land for Fire Station #5 Future location in the northern portion of jurisdiction to support future growth projections	Yeatts	Yes	No	FY2027

*Represents annual operational priority.

CONNECTED & INCLUSIVE

Knightdale actively pursues balanced growth with exceptional design to maintain its small town feel and appearance. Through the creation of unique community spaces and a welcoming environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses, we are creating a connected and inclusive town.

Implementation Items	Administration Project Manager	CIP Approval Required	Funding Committed	Target Date
Support Local Entrepreneurs and Businesses 8th Launch Knightdale cohort Host Business Workshop Series Networking events in partnership with Rotary Club Small business consulting and permitting support program	Morrison	N/A	Yes	FY2027*
Deliver Specials Events Programming for Citizenry  33 events planned for 2026	Morrison	Yes	Yes	FY2027*
Expand Pedestrian Facilities Construct sidewalks on Knightdale Boulevard and Old Knight Road Design sidewalks for First Avenue and Smithfield Road	Tripp	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Deliver Citizen Outreach Programs  5th Cohort of Mayors Academy Community Planning and Citizens Police Academies  Camp P.R.I.D.E. Knightdale Leaders Academy	Yeatts	No	Yes	FY2027*
Deliver Annual Veteran Program Commitments Veterans' Memorial Recognition Program Memorial and Veterans Day events Hometown Hero's Banner Program	Yeatts	Yes	Yes	FY2027*
Facilitate Knightdale's 100-Year Anniversary Celebration Special events to honor the Town's centennial anniversary.	Yeatts	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Construct Centennial Clock at Knightdale Station Park Project to honor Town’s centennial anniversary	Tripp	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Facilitate Annual Community Beautification Program Enhancement program to maintain community appearance	Tripp	Yes	Yes	FY2027*
Deliver Annual Marketing Campaign(s) “Support our Schools” program for the upcoming fiscal year to greater awareness and appreciation of the WCPSS	Morrison	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Launch Community Ambassadors Program Citizen volunteer program designed to create greater awareness and appreciation of Town services/programs	Morrison	No	Yes	FY2027
Implement Knightdale Grants and Aid Program To aid local nonprofit and community organizations in providing services statutorily compliant services to residents.	Morrison	No	Yes	FY2027
Adopt an Economic Investment Plan for Downtown  Consult with the Development Finance Initiative (DFI) at the UNC School of Government to prepare a plan to attract private investment	Tripp	Yes	No	FY2028
Install Branded Road Name Signs To create greater visibility and sense of place for cross-streets along Knightdale Blvd.	Tripp	Yes	No	FY2028
Develop Mass Transit Strategy  Explore options to expand Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)	Tripp	Yes	No	FY2029

*Represents annual operational priority.

SUSTAINABLE

Knightdale promotes the stewardship of its environment, the resiliency of its resources, and the maintenance of a financially sustainable government.

Implementation Items	Administration Project Manager	CIP Approval Required	Funding Committed	Target Date
Expand Sustainability Communication   Provide robust communication about the Town’s commitments to protecting the environment, promoting social responsibility, and ensuring long-term economic viability.	Tripp	Yes	No	FY2027
Expand Stormwater Program Key projects in the upcoming fiscal year include the adoption of a Knightdale Stormwater Master Plan and creation of a comprehensive 2-D model of the Town to identify areas of floodding concern.	Tripp	Yes	Yes	FY2027*
Implement the Affordable Knightdale Plan Ensure continued activation of applicable steps in the plan's overall ten year timeline.	Tripp	No	Yes	FY2027*
Receive an Unqualified Financial Audit Opinion Ensure Town’s financial position is accurate and compliant in accordance with NCGS 159-34	Morrison	No	Yes	FY2027*
Facilitate CAMPO Transportation Studies  Existing grants awarded for corridor studies along Knightdale Boulevard and Smithfield Road  Include recommendations for future redevelopment strategies 2-year project cycles	Tripp	N/A	No	FY2027
Explore Feasibility of Wildlife Corridor Along Hodge Road To protect natural land areas on the western portion of Knightdale's jurisdiction to ensure animals can move safely between habitats along the Neuse River	Tripp	N/A	No	FY2027
Expand the Knightdale Commerce Alliance (KCA) KCA is a town-driven approach that reflects a shift toward community-centered economic growth, focusing not only on what we can attract to Knightdale, but also on how we can thrive from within.	Morrison	Yes	No	FY2027*
Conduct Spatial Needs Assessment for Town Facilities Study will focus on the support service departments	All	Yes	No	FY2027
Design Widewaters Parkway Extension Design grade-separated facility over the existing railroad to connect Old Faison Road and Laurens Way Major transportation goal of the Shift Knightdale Comprehensive Plan (CTP)	Tripp	Yes	No	FY2027

*Represents annual operational priority.

ACTIVE & HEALTHY

Knightdale brings people together and boasts happy residents by promoting and sustaining a high quality of life and providing recreation and leisure activities to meet diverse interests.

Implementation Items	Administration Project Manager	CIP Approval Required	Funding Committed	Target Date
Facilitate Cultural Arts Programming Partnership with the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County  Partnership that expands cultural and arts programming opportunities for residents	Morrison	No	Yes	FY2026
Facilitate Harper Park Improvements Expand Parks & Recreation offices Resurface tennis courts Expand parking	Tripp	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Adopt Small Area Plan for the Ann Elizabeth Croom Park Adopt plan for future recreational amenities on the 33 acre facility	Morrison	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Construct Knightdale Community Center   65,000 square foot facility to be located at the Ann Elizabeth Croom Park.	Tripp	Yes	No	FY2028

*Represents annual operational priority.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Knightdale’s government is operated efficiently and transparently by outstanding employees who focus on excellent customer service and open communication.

Implementation Items	Administration Project Manager	CIP Approval Required	Funding Committed	Target Date
Prepare 2026 Bond Referendum $55 million referendum seeking voter approval for public safety and recreation projects. Coordinate comprehensive citizen education outreach	Morrison	No	Yes	FY2027
Prepare Annual Comprehensive Budget Document Serves as a vital policy, operational, and communication tool that aligns financial resources with strategic community goals, enhances transparency, and ensures long-term fiscal stability	Morrison	No	N/A	FY2027*
Facilitate State of the Town Event Annual program celebrating past year’s accomplishments  Recognize local business community  Recognize Community Appearance Award recipients	Morrison	No	Yes	FY2027*
Maintain Commitment to Area Colleges/Universities  Provide instructional support for the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)  Provide instructional support and internship opportunities for NC State MPA program  Explore a partnership with NCCU for MPA students  Explore Feasibility of Developing Cooperative Program with Wake Tech Evaluate potential for local government certificates/degrees and continuing education opportunities	Yeatts	No	Yes	FY2027*
Support Succession Programming Commitments for Staff  Facilitate Supervisory Training Program  Facilitate Conflict Resolution Certificate Program cohort with the University of Alabama  Support Wake Leadership Fellows Program with ECU	Yeatts	Yes	Yes	FY2027*
Purchase The Lofts at Knightdale Station Park Office Building Expanded professional office to house Finance and Human Resources Departments.	Morrison	Yes	Yes	FY2027
Enhance Annual Employee Engagement Programs	Yeatts	No	No	FY2027
Expand Strategic Planning and Performance Management Programs  Offer quarterly updates to improve organizational transparency  Develop user-friendly dashboard approach to access key information	Yeatts	No	Yes	FY2027
Prepare Critical Annual Financial Communications Comprehensive Budget Document - Serves as a vital policy, operational, and communication tool that aligns financial resources with strategic community goals, enhances transparency, and ensures long-term fiscal stability Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) - Easy-to-understand publication designed to ensure greater understanding of how public dollars are used to improve quality of life in Knightdale	Morrison	No	Yes	FY2027*
Ensure Annual Financial Excellence Recognitions from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting - Award that recognizes state and local governments that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare annual comprehensive financial reports that excel in the spirit of transparency and full disclosure Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting - Award that recognizes state and local governments that go beyond the minimum to produce high-quality, easily understandable annual financial reports for the general public	Morrison	No	Yes	FY2027*
Obtain Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) Recognition  National accreditation program for recreation facilities and programming quality	Morrison	No	N/A	FY2027
Facilitate Strategic Information Technology (IT) Plan Key projects for the upcoming fiscal year include hiring an IT Manager and transitioning to an MOA operating environment	Morrison	No	No	FY2027*

*Represents annual operational priority.