Early in 1995, the City retained consultants James Kunde and John Krauss from Indiana University's Center for Urban Policy and the Environment to facilitate the project. At a two-night planning session in early April, the consultants assisted Council in defining a desirable future for Alexandria. Economic Development Council set a goal of consolidating economic development, tourism, and business marketing activities under the new Economic Development and Tourism Board. Working in small focus groups, the citizens devoted two hours to designing a vision of the City's future from the community's perspective. Alexandria must improve its public schools.
Exemplary schools are essential to maintaining and building a base of families.
A proposal to grant the School Board separate taxing authority was discussed, but no concensus was reached. Housing needs to be affordable for middle-class families as well as those seeking to move out of public housing. Alexandria must maintain the strong fiscal capacity of its City government to provide reliable and high quality essential services and quick response times. Economic development efforts should focus on building an employer base that provides a diversity of job opportunities. Alexandria should continue to support affordable child care and skills training tied to available jobs.