A while back I posted an online survey that essentially reproduced the citizen satisfaction survey performed by the Town of Christiansburg in 1998 that was used for citizen input in the 2003 Comprehensive Plan.
While I am working on a full analysis that will actually compare the results of that 1998 survey with results from this 2009 survey.
What I will discuss here is all of the data. I'll let you in on a little secret though. I have identified 3 of the ip addresses (those addresses that identify "who your computer is") as being specific to computers within Town offices. Multiple entries came in from those 3 addresses. In the full analysis, I am setting up two sets of data, one which includes responses from those 3 addresses and one which excludes them. Not surprising, there is a significant difference between those two. It is certainly possible that a number of people used the same computer in the same building and spent their lunch or break doing this survey, but it is most surprising to see how similar (virtually identical) are those responses:) I think you will find the differences between the two sets of data interesting. Although, knowing my readers, most of you will not be surprised by the results.
Anyway on the the first look:
In question #1, people were asked "How satisfied are you in regards to the following Town services?"
The response choices were:
- "Not very"
- (No name provided by Town) so assume "somewhat satisfied"
- "Satisfied"
- (No name provided by Town) so assume "more satisfied"
- "Very satisfied"
The services evaluated were:
- Police Protection
- Fire Protection
- Rescue Services
- Parks and Recreation
- Planning and Zoning
- Water and Sewer
- Street Maintenance
- Garbage Collection
- Municipal Bldg. Administrative Services
Here are the FULL results from this question with 120 respondents:
How satisfied are you in regards to the following Town services?
SERVICE
|
NOT VERY
|
SOMEWHAT |
SATISFIED |
MORE |
VERY |
| Police |
5.88%
|
7.56% |
35.29% |
21.85% |
29.41%
|
| Fire |
0.84%
|
2.52%
|
34.45%
|
21.85%
|
40.34%
|
| Rescue |
1.68% |
4.20%
|
31.09%
|
24.37%
|
38.66%
|
Parks & Rec
|
11.02%
|
21.19%
|
31.36% |
16.95%
|
19.49%
|
Planning &
Zoning
|
28.81%
|
19.49%
|
28.81%
|
11.86%
|
11.02%
|
Water &
Sewer
|
2.54%
|
16.95%
|
41.53%
|
15.25%
|
23.73%
|
Street
Maintenance
|
12.61%
|
25.21%
|
35.29%
|
15.13%
|
11.76%
|
Garbage
Collection
|
6.78%
|
14.41%
|
34.75%
|
19.49%
|
24.58%
|
Municipal Bldg
Admin. Service
|
10.26%
|
14.53%
|
34.19%
|
20.51%
|
20.51% |
Combining these into only 3 categories may make it easier to identify some of the areas where the potential improvement exists:
| SERVICE |
LESS THAN
SATISFIED
|
SATISFIED |
MORE THAN
SATISFIED
|
POLICE
|
13.45%
|
35.29%
|
51.26%
|
| FIRE |
3.36%
|
34.45%
|
62.18%
|
| RESCUE |
5.88%
|
31.09%
|
63.03%
|
PARKS &
REC
|
32.20%
|
31.36%
|
36.44%
|
PLANNING
& ZONING
|
48.31%
|
28.81%
|
22.88%
|
WATER &
SEWER
|
19.49% |
41.53%
|
38.98%
|
STREET
MAINTENANCE
|
37.82% |
35.29%
|
26.89%
|
GARBAGE
COLLECTION
|
21.19%
|
34.75%
|
44.07%
|
MUNICIPAL
BLDG ADMIN
SERVICES
|
24.79% |
34.19%
|
41.03%
|
Well, there are the numbers. Do with them what you will. Remember that this is a very small group, only 120 people, but more than enough to shape and election:) Perhaps it is time for the Town to revist doing a full survey, mailed out with the water bills. Or, perhaps I could do another survey and they could simply add a note at the bottom of the water bill giving people the web address and for those who do not have internet access, a place on the part of the bill being returned where citizens could ask to have a copy mailed to them. No need to spend any more money on mail than absolutely necessary, and I would provide the town with the full, unaltered data.
More information on the rest of the survey questions will be coming on future blogs.