Background
The Lansing Board of Water & Light's strategic plan is a roadmap of goals and priorities to meet upcoming changes while supporting the Mission, Vision and Values.
The current plan was released in November 2024 and details BWL’s strategic goals and priorities for 2025-2030. BWL staff interviewed BWL Commissioner and Leadership, Customers and Community Partners, BWL Employees, City of Lansing Leadership and Local Elected/Municipal Leaders. BWL Mission, Vision and Values were refined, and strategic priorities created to reflect feedback and serve as the foundation of the plan.
These priorities are the essence of the Lansing Board of Water & Light's strategic direction, allowing BWL to address challenges and opportunities, while providing a common understanding of the strategic goals for communication and planning at all organizational levels.
Strategic Goals
The Priorities and Outcomes are always present in BWL decision-making. Everything from budget decisions to departmental and individual goal-setting must tie back to the strategic plan to ensure all parts of the organization are excelling in the same direction.
Goal: Enhance the customer utility experience and enrich the community we serve.
Outcome 1: Maintain high customer satisfaction
Outcome 2: Build accessible connections between external resources and vulnerable customers
Outcome 3: Increase community engagement and volunteerism
Outcome 4: Support the business community and economic development
Goal: Attract and retain a diverse, engaged workforce that embraces safety and supports the BWL's success.
Outcome 1: Continuously pursue and enhance our safety culture
Outcome 2: Increase retention and employee development
Outcome 3: Empower a culture of inclusion and respect where diverse perspectives drive success
Outcome 4: Identify and develop candidates for critical functions
Goal: Be a leader in providing climate-conscious solutions for a sustainable community.
Outcome 1: Achieve BWL and regulatory renewable and clean energy targets
Outcome 2: Increase customer participation in innovation decarbonization and energy waste reduction programs
Outcome 3: Reduce organizational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Goal: Apply principles of operational resilience and continuous improvement to all organizational assets, such as equipment, people and knowledge.
Outcome 1: Target replacement of aging infrastructure to maintain resiliency and provide safe and reliable utility access for all
Outcome 2: Embed business continuity in processes and practices
Outcome 3: Improve internal processes for cost-effective decision-making, priority-setting and resource allocation
Outcome 4: Improve system availability, functionality and support for technology assets and maintain cybersecurity resilience
Outcome 5: Maintain regulatory compliance
Goal: Utilize effective planning strategies to maintain financial strength and continuity of operations.
Outcome 1: Refine rate structure to maintain rate competitiveness
Outcome 2: Achieve target return for investment in infrastructure
Outcome 3: Maintain favorable bond rating