Community survey gives a good review
Posted By Staff Reporter on February 25, 2009
Apple Valley, CA – February 10, 2009: “A Better Way of Life” isn’t just the town motto; it’s a fact. According to a recent survey, 82% of Apple Valley residents rated the quality of life in Apple Valley as excellent or good. The vast majority (85%) also reported being satisfied with the Town’s overall performance in providing municipal services.
Town Manager Frank Robinson made a citizen satisfaction survey one of his top priorities when he started in Apple Valley in July 2008. A widespread survey had not been done for over ten years.
“How do we know where to go if we don’t know where we’re starting?” Robinson said, as he explained the purpose of the survey. “This sets a baseline against which to compare ourselves in the future.”
A random phone survey of 600 residents was conducted by True North Research, Inc. between December 20 and January 2, with 26 questions asked. Besides measuring satisfaction with services and perception of quality of life, the questions also asked residents to rank the importance of different municipal services such as animal control, recreation and managing growth and development. Perceived safety, special events, traffic, neighborhood issues and economic development were a few of the subject areas.
Not surprisingly, road maintenance and public safety were ranked as the two most important services provided by the Town of Apple Valley, with 93% and 92% of respondents respectively ranking them as somewhat or very important. In the corresponding question of satisfaction, 88% were somewhat or very satisfied with the police services we provide, with 72% satisfied with road maintenance.
“There weren’t any huge surprises in the results,” said Robinson. “However as we begin preparing the 2009-10 budget in the next few months, the answers will help us set our spending priorities.”
Specific questions were also asked regarding traffic circulation. While traffic in residential areas was rated as good or excellent by 79% of residents, that number dropped to 31% when ranking circulation on the way into or out of town, and 38% felt traffic getting into and out of town is poor or very poor.
“The Yucca Loma Bridge will address this very concern,” said Robinson. “As we apply our resources to the problems and priorities our citizens have so clearly defined, we hope to foster more citizen engagement and to continue to cultivate ‘A Better Way of Life.’”
For the complete survey results and methodology, click Community Survey to download the entire document.
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