Flossmoor residents believe that the village’s greatest strengths are diversity, schools and housing.
On the other hand, they say, the community’s greatest weaknesses are high property taxes, declining school quality and decreasing property values.
Village officials last week released the results of two surveys that asked Flossmoor residents how they feel about their community. One survey asked questions that will be used to develop a five-year strategic plan for the village. The other asked residents for input in developing a branding and marketing strategy.
Surveys were released to the community last month and residents were able to answer questions both online and on paper. The surveys covered many topics ranging from strengths and weaknesses to threats and challenges in Flossmoor.
Lee Crumbaugh, president of Forrest Consulting, was facilitator at the June 14 meeting on the survey results. Audience members were encouraged to contribute and participate in discussions regarding the results.
There were 1,081 survey replies on Flossmoor’s three greatest strengths, Crumbaugh said. There were 1,009 replies on the three areas of weakness.
Mayor Paul Braun attended the meeting and explained he knows school ratings are a major issue, but that’s an area that is largely beyond his control.
“We don’t control the school board and that’s not going to happen in the near future,” he said. “What we can do is more collaboration because we need to stay on top of what the schools are doing.”
Braun also noted if the school ratings improve it will impact other issues in a positive manner.
“If the ratings increase, it increases the property value and how many people want to come and stay here,” he said.
Flossmoor resident Ernestine Beck-Fulgham said she was excited to see that the village board wanted commentary from the community. She explained she attended the session with an open mind. For her, the end result is most important.
“The proof in the pudding is going to come when they use this public forum to actually create this plan,” she said.
The survey also asked the community what Flossmoor should do more of and the No. 1 answer was to brand and market the village.
In addition, based on 462 replies to the topic “Things the Flossmoor should never change,” the No. 1 answer was having festivals and events.
Even though it will take time to create the plan and start the process, Beck-Fulgham said she is hopeful the job will be done well.
“We are really looking forward to the mayor and village board doing this,” she said. “I’ve lived here for 25 years and we want to see the direction of this town move forward.”
The village’s last strategic plan was created more than 10 years ago. Within the next month the village board is expected to approve the 2017 strategic plan and will share it with the community.