HomeMy WebLinkAbout010808 Citizen SurveyCity of Virginia Beach
2007 Citizens’Survey
Objective:
To learn how residents feel about their community and
the services provided by the City of Virginia Beach.
Presented by:
Jeannine B. Perry, Sr. Project Director
Continental Research Associates Inc.
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Background
? Benchmark survey in 1995
? Similar q’naires –primarily satisfaction ratings
? Telephone method
(Sun. -Thurs. evenings)
? Min. of 6 attempts to reach each household
? Sample size 500 adults
(randomly selected)
? Margin of Error: ±1% to ±4.4%
(worst case)
2007 Methodology
? 15 min. survey –Was well-received
? Calls made Oct. 30 th–Nov. 28 th
(used CATI system)
? Highly scientific procedures
? Report incl. surveys since 1995
(most recent = 2005)
? Detailed analysis given to Dept. of Mgt. Svcs.
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Participants rated their satisfaction with
31 City services & characteristics:
Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Dissatisfied, or Very Dissatisfied
For simplicity: Very Satisfied + Satisfied = “Satisfied”
Many localities define excellence as an 80% (or higher) level
of satisfaction. In Virginia Beach, 21 of the 31 City services
rated above the 80% threshold.
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Items With a Satisfaction Level Above 95%
% Satisfied*
Fire Department99.4%
Public libraries98.0%
Paramedic & Rescue Squad97.6%
911 Emergency Telephone Center97.3%
Recreation centers96.8%
Appearance of municipal bldgs. & facilities96.2%
Overall appearance of the City95.6%
Parks95.2%
* “Very Satisfied”+ “Satisfied”
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Items With Satisfaction Between
90% and 95%
% Satisfied
# of opportunities for volunteerism94.4%
Courtesy of City employees94.2%
Police94.0%
Museums/aquarium/cultural activities94.0%
Work performance of City employees93.7%
Horticultural & Agricultural services91.1%
City trash collection & recycling services90.4%
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Items With Satisfaction Between
80% and 89%
% Satisfied
Overall appearance of your neighborhood89.4%
Public school system86.2%
Drinking water & sanitary sewer services86.0%
Public beaches85.7%
Mental health & mental retardation svcs.83.2%
The job opportunities in Virginia Beach*80.2%
*Improved since 2005.
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Items With Satisfaction Below 80%
(Issues/Areas to Address??)
% Satisfied
Efforts to combat gang activity/violence75.8%
The City’s work with other area communities75.0%
Services for needy or homeless families*73.4%
Rain water drainage*70.8%
Efforts to protect natural resources64.6%
Maintenance of existing City roads & bridges64.3%
Opportunities citizens have to share their ideas59.0%
Planning & construction of new City roads51.5%
Planning for residential development50.5%
Traffic flow36.0%
*Improved since 2005.
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% Using Some City Services (Past 12 Mos.)
% Who
Said “Yes”
Visited a Va. Beach public library and/or
used the library from home/work81.6%
Visited a City park79.8%
Visited a Va. Beach public beach79.6%
Had contact with or observed Public Safety
(Police, Fire, Rescue Squad)73.4%
Went to a museum, the aquarium, or a
cultural activity in Va. Beach67.4%
Contacted the City by phone/Internet/in person63.6%
Been to a Va. Beach reccenter58.6%
(n=500)
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% Who “Agreed”With Each Statement
% Who Agree”*
Va. Beach is a good place to live96.0%
For the most part, I can conveniently
access City services95.4%
My neighborhood is a safe place to live93.2%
Va. Beach, in general, is a safe place to live92.8%
Overall, I receive a good value for my
City tax dollar74.2%
I know how to inform the City about
the way I feel on important issues70.6%
* “Strongly Agree”+ “Agree”
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What onethingcould the City do to make you a more
satisfied resident?
2007
I think everything is fine8.8%
Reduce the traffic flow problems16.8%
Lower my taxes/fees12.2%
Improve the roads/build more/finish sooner7.4%
Stop or minimize the growth4.2%
Listen more to citizens/do more surveys3.6%
Plan better for growth/development3.2%
Create/preserve more green spaces3.0%
Reduce crime/Enhance public safety2.8%
We need more public transportation2.8%
Improve the schools (more funding/smaller classes)2.6%
More street sweeping/litter control2.0%
Cost of living is too high (utilities/housing)2.0%
…etc. …(n=500)
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2007 Profile of Respondents
Avg. # of years lived in Va. Beach20.0 yrs.
% who reported being homeowners78.0%
% who reported being renters22.0%
Avg. age (head of household)46.3 yrs.
% who reported being registered voters81.2%
% who are White74.2%
% who are African American21.2%
% who are Hispanic1.2%
% from another ethnic background3.4%
% with yearly household income of $100,000+23.4%
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T-Tests Comparing 2007 to 2005
Nine Items Showed Significant Improvement Over 2005
Fire Department services
?
Paramedic & Rescue Squad services
?
The 911 Emergency Telephone Center
?
Recreation centers
?
The appearance of the City’s municipal bldgs./facilities
?
City parks
?
Job opportunities in the City
?
Services for needy or homeless families
?
Rain water drainage
?
***There were nosignificant declines since 2005!***
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In Closing…
? Satisfaction scores were quite high, indicating that
residents are quite pleased with the quality of life
in Virginia Beach
? We’ve itemized 10 areas where additional focus may
be warranted (traffic, roads, growth, drainage, gangs,
etc.)
? 96% are satisfied with the appearance of the City
? 96% believe Virginia Beach is a good place to live
? 95% believe they can conveniently access City
services
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