Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Survey Question Title * 1. Do you agree with the vision statement, "Jefferson County will be a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community with strong neighborhoods, thriving businesses, successful agriculture, healthy lifestyles, distinguished schools, and an exceptional quality of place for all people." Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree OK Question Title * 2. If you disagreed, please provide suggested changes below. OK Question Title * 3. For the goals listed below, please identify the top two priorities Jefferson County should focus on over the next 20 years. Goal 1: Support the viability of Agriculture in Jefferson County. Goal 2: Balance and guide growth and redevelopment in Jefferson County to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community. Goal 3: Diversify the housing stock to provide a range of housing types and housing prices. Goal 4: Extend and improve utility infrastructure to promote appropriate development as it is fiscally responsible. Goal 5: Promote multi-modal connectivity between county and regional destinations. Goal 6: Increase the County’s ability to respond to emergencies, disasters, and community needs. Goal 7: Focus efforts to grow, retain, and attract talent and businesses in Jefferson County. Goal 8: Support initiatives that increase opportunities to obtain high-wage jobs. Goal 9: Increase educational attainment including High School diplomas, trade certifications, and post-secondary degrees. Goal 10: Establish Jefferson County as a diverse and welcoming community. Goal 11: Grow county-wide recreation and tourism efforts in Jefferson County. Goals 12: Provide high-quality assets and programming that contribute to healthy lifestyles. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 4. For the goal, "Support the viability of Agriculture in Jefferson County," identify the top priority below. Preserve or incorporate vistas, wooded, scenic, and other environmentally sensitive areas as development occurs. Protect agricultural land and support the right to farm. Promote and encourage agri-tourism in Jefferson County. Work with partners to attract businesses that are related to and support value-added agriculture in the county. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 5. For the goal, "Balance and guide growth and redevelopment in Jefferson County to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community," identify the top priority below. Reference and implement the Comprehensive Plan for all land use decisions. Track progress annually through measurable outcomes and key metrics. Revise the county property maintenance ordinances to include the 2-mile buffer zone. Review and update the zoning ordinance to ensure it aligns with the Comprehensive Plan (road frontage standards, access management, lot sizes, mailbox location, airport vicinity, etc.). Improve vacant and neglected properties through enforcement and incentives. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 6. For the goal, "Diversify the housing stock to provide a range of housing types and housing prices," identify the top priority below. Incentivize the development of new housing types such as low-maintenance and workforce/affordable housing. Attract and incentivize housing development tailored for young adults and seniors. Target new housing development in areas that can be supported by existing infrastructure. Work with partners to offer educational programs for first time homebuyers. Promote the owner-occupied rehabilitation program through SIRPC to improve the existing housing stock. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 7. For the goal, "Extend and improve utility infrastructure to promote appropriate development as it is fiscally responsible," identify the top priority below. Facilitate the implementation of reliable, high-speed, internet access and cellular service for all residents. Support expanded cellular service throughout the County. Improve sewer service in the County by addressing raw sewage issues, enforcing septic permits, and expanding infrastructure as it is feasible. Expand rural water and wastewater infrastructure as development occurs. Consider renewable energy options if an additional source of energy is needed. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 8. For the goal, "Promote multi-modal connectivity between county and regional destinations," identify the top priority below. Hire a County Engineer to review and administer roadway standards throughout Jefferson County. Expand transportation services for elderly, veterans, and persons with disabilities. Partner with organizations to provide after school transportation for programs such as the Boys & Girls Club, school clubs, and school sports. Improve the safety and prioritize improvements of local roadways with poor conditions. Promote the use and development of local airports for commerce, recreation, and tourism. Develop and enforce ordinances for golf carts and ATVs on public roads and/or trails. Work with INDOT to enhance access to I-65 and improve the safety and condition of state roadways with a focus on: Widening SR 62, Improving intersection of SR 62 & SR 56, Widening HWY 56, and Constructing new road from SR 62 and SR 256. Provide improved connectivity with trails, bike paths, and sidewalks. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 9. For the goal, "Increase the County’s ability to respond to emergencies, disasters, and community needs," identify the top priority below. Clean-up and improve the appearance of the County through a formalized system to dispose large items, county-wide clean-up days, and improved convenience of recycling. Enhance police protection in the County through additional staff. Continually update the County Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Response Plan administered through the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Develop an alternative use for the existing County Jail Facility. Improve fire protection and EMS services in areas with poor response times or limited access. Ensure early warning sirens and digital alert communication services are accessible to every resident. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 10. For the goal, "Focus efforts to grow, retain, and attract talent and businesses in Jefferson County," identify the top priority below. Develop a welcoming culture to residents, visitors, businesses and opportunities. Work with partners to enhance Jefferson County’s regional appeal by reinforcing the county’s role as an employment center. Attract and incentivize entertainment businesses, restaurants, and retail in Jefferson County. Offer programs and resources for local businesses to grow and small business start-ups. Create a youth council to focus on quality of life initiatives to reduce “brain drain,” and increase entertainment options, and create an environment to attract young professionals. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 11. For the goal, "Support initiatives that increase opportunities to obtain high-wage jobs," identify the top priority below. Create internal communication and customer service protocol for business inquiries in Jefferson County. Develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy that focuses on target industries, workforce development, and cluster businesses. Leverage available economic development tools to provide incentives for growth in jobs and assessed value. Work with the partners to attract diverse high-paying jobs to Jefferson County. Continue to develop assets for training and industrial development at the Jefferson Proving Grounds. Increase interaction with state and federal military organizations to capitalize on business development centered around regional installations. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 12. For the goal, "Increase educational attainment including High School diplomas, trade certifications, and post-secondary degrees," identify the top priority objective. Work with businesses and all schools in the county to develop programs that provide the best educated and trained workforce. Work with partners to offer local internships and apprenticeships in county government, local businesses, and partner organizations to encourage youth to stay in Jefferson County. Support efforts to increase lifelong learning opportunities in Jefferson County. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 13. For the goal, "Establish Jefferson County as a diverse and welcoming community," identify the top priority below. Improve visual appeal of gateways in Jefferson County. Consider hiring staff focused on media relations and marketing Jefferson County. Create a one-stop shop and website for information about Jefferson County. Support efforts of the Human Health and Relations Commission. Develop communication and collaboration between community organizations and businesses to facilitate employee involvement in local organizations. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 14. For the goal, "Grow county-wide recreation and tourism efforts in Jefferson County," identify the top priority below. Support the strategic plan, programs, and events facilitated through the Jefferson County Tourism Board. Develop and enhance unique recreational amenities such as: Full-service camping/RV facilities, Ice Skating Rink, ATV/Motorcross Park, and Outdoor Activities (zipline, paintball, archery, adventure/obstacle course, etc.). Expand use of existing recreational amenities such as the Fairgrounds. Expand recreational amenities and programming at Jefferson Proving Grounds. Attract businesses that provide recreational entertainment options such as bowling, skating rink, movie theatre, and river boat trips. Market unique tourism opportunities such as aero-tourism and agri-tourism in Jefferson County. Increase recreational programming for families, youth, teens, arts, and culture. Partner to expand music venues and attract visiting artists/traveling theatres. Create a county-wide arts council that focuses on public art, art education, and supporting local artists. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 15. For the goal, "Provide high-quality assets and programming that contribute to healthy lifestyles," identify the top priority below. Improve homelessness through the creation of a homeless ordinance, transitional housing and other support services. Work with healthcare providers in efforts to expand mental health services and training. Support healthcare providers in efforts to increase health care professionals for elderly, veterans, and serious illnesses. Support efforts of local partners to provide access to affordable family planning, women’s health, and educational programs. Work with healthcare providers and other partners to provide local treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation efforts for addiction and substance abuse. Support the efforts of the Healthy Communities Initiative. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 16. Please provide any other comments or feedback that you would like to share regarding the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan. OK DONE
