Royal City residents will once again be surveyed on their thoughts on quality of life.
Ipsos Reid regularly surveys residents of various municipalities about their satisfaction levels, attitudes and priorities on a variety of community issues. Council supports participating in the 2013 "citizen satisfaction survey," which would include a telephone survey of 300 citizens in May.
"It's typically about once every three years that we do this," said Colleen Ponzini, the city's manager of financial services.
A staff report stated that the survey focuses on top-of-mind local issues, quality of life in the city, perceptions of staff and council, satisfaction with municipal services, perceived value for taxes and preferred funding options and communication and information needs.
According to the report, the basic cost of the survey, which includes a final report and PowerPoint presentation, is $6,900 plus GST. Communities also have the option of having one or two customized questions in the survey, with those costing an additional $900 for closed-ended questions or $1,400 for open-ended questions.
Coun. Lorrie Williams said she'd like the survey to include a question gauging residents' support for a new animal shelter. Coun. Jonathan Cote suggested senior staff could suggest some question ideas and report back to council.
"I think it is time. We haven't done a survey since 2010," said Coun. Betty McIntosh. "Gauging how our community is feeling about the pressures at city hall is a good thing."
McIntosh said she frequently gets calls and emails from residents about budget and revenue issues. She suggested that the survey should include a question about taxation.
Council directed staff to propose questions regarding taxation and a new animal shelter as part of the Ipsos Reid citizen satisfaction survey.
