In recognition of its strategic planning process, the City of Indian Wells received the Strategic Leadership and Governance Award at the International City/County Management Association's (ICMA) 2026 Local Government Excellence Awards.
This designation celebrates outstanding and innovative local government programs and processes that have significantly affected the city’s culture or strategic direction.
Since 2022, Indian Wells has fundamentally redefined its governance model through a rigorous, integrated annual strategic planning process. This initiative transitioned the organization into a high-performance framework that synchronizes City Council vision with departmental execution and fiscal discipline. It ensures that every capital project, grant application and budgetary allocation is a direct extension of Council-approved, resident-centered goals, creating a transparent and measurable roadmap for community excellence.
“Having a strong strategic planning process is fundamental to a thriving community,” said City Manager Dr. Chris Freeland. “I’m incredibly proud of the City Council and staff who worked on the strategic plan to set the community up for success.”
During the 2026-27 Strategic Planning Session held on March 17, 2026, the City Council adopted eight broad goals:
- Safeguarding the Community
- Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainability
- Encourage Development and Tourism
- Investing in Infrastructure and Amenities
- Enhancing Quality of Life
- Housing Authority
- Indian Wells Golf Resort
- Various Other City Strategies and Initiatives
To learn more about Indian Wells’ Strategic Planning process, visit the Strategic Planning webpage.
