Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission Unveils First Strategic Plan to Shape Future Growth and Community Engagement

At the regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting on August 27, 2024, the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission (LCWSC) adopted its first-ever Strategic Plan. The process began in December 2023 when the Government and Utility Consulting firm Raftelis was chosen to lead the plan’s development. Starting in January 2024, LCWSC engaged board members, employees, and elected officials to discuss issues and ideas essential for the strategic plan. Several workshops were conducted to redefine the organization’s values, vision, and mission, focusing on community and workforce needs. The process also involved assessing LCWSC’s aspirations, strengths, opportunities, and critical challenges to set goals and objectives that reflect the collective values, vision, and mission.

Five strategic priorities were identified: employee development and retention, infrastructure investment and growth, financial and organizational resilience, community engagement and partnerships, and high-quality services. Executive Director Jeff Field stated, “Our goal is to provide high-quality water and sewer treatment by meeting or exceeding all regulatory standards and collaborating with industry partners to safeguard public and environmental health in our community. This Plan will guide our financial, operational, and policy decisions from now and for the years to come, with oversight from our Board of Commissioners.”

Field also emphasized LCWSC’s commitment to employee training and professional development, competitive compensation, and fostering an environment where team members feel engaged and valued. He further highlighted the team’s role in planning and managing water and sewer capacity, maintaining existing infrastructure, and expanding the system to meet regional demands while providing top-tier services to the community.

The plan also aims to improve LCWSC’s policies and processes for effective fiscal management, affordable service delivery, and efficient operations. Additionally, it focuses on community outreach and education to build awareness and strengthen stakeholder relationships to achieve shared goals. Field praised Raftelis and its Vice President, Catherine Carter, for their leadership and support throughout the planning process. He concluded, “Developing and committing to this Strategic Plan was a significant milestone for our team, and I am confident it will serve as a vital document for years to come. As we move forward, we are dedicated to reviewing this plan annually to assess progress and reaffirm our priorities.”