DIXON – Strategic planning and leadership training will help the City Council set goals and will create accountability, City Engineer Shawn Ortgiesen told commissioners at their meeting Monday.

The commissioners then approved a $31,400 strategic planning agreement with Naperville company Sikich, and also gave the go-ahead to advertise for an engineer for downtown streetscaping and for energy improvements at City Hall.

The strategic plan will help the City Council create short- and long-term goals, develop plans and set a schedule to meet those goals. It not only will make residents aware of the direction the city is taking, but also give them the ability to hold commissioners accountable if the goals are not met, Ortgiesen said.