This week, the Leander City Council gathered for a special retreat, a time for leaders to step away from day-to-day meetings and focus on the bigger picture. These retreats are important because they give city officials a chance to plan, set priorities, and discuss the best ways to serve our community.

What Happens at a City Council Retreat?

Instead of voting on specific issues like they do at regular meetings, council members use this time to:
✅ Set Goals – What does Leander need in the next few years? Leaders talk about roads, schools, safety, and other big priorities.
✅ Improve Communication – It’s important that council members work well together. A retreat helps them listen, share ideas, and find common ground.
✅ Plan for Growth – Leander is growing fast! The retreat helps leaders think ahead so we don’t face bigger problems later.

Why It Matters

City Council decisions affect our everyday lives—from traffic to parks, from business opportunities to public safety. A well-planned retreat helps our leaders make thoughtful choices that support families, businesses, and the overall quality of life in Leander.

How You Can Stay Involved

Even though the retreat isn’t a regular meeting, you can still stay informed:
🔹 Watch for updates – The council will likely share key takeaways in upcoming meetings.
🔹 Share your thoughts – Reach out to city leaders with ideas or concerns. Your voice matters!
🔹 Stay engaged – Attend city council meetings or follow local news to see how decisions impact your neighborhood.

Key Developments This Year

With the hiring of Todd Parton as Leander’s new city manager, we are seeing a shift in approach. There is a strong focus on setting clear goals and using detailed metrics to track progress. One big step forward is analyzing resources on a per capita basis, which will help city staff better manage growth and sustainability.

Another key takeaway from the retreat is the importance of improving efficiency and productivity. If Leander doesn’t operate smarter, we may face the tough choice of raising taxes. Fortunately, keeping taxes low remains a top priority, which is good news for all of us as taxpayers.

When our city succeeds, we all win. By working together, we can keep Leander a great place to live, work, and raise a family! Leander WINS are our wins.

For more information follow this link to the retreat presentation: https://leandertx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/598/files/agenda/1175