10-24-23 Workshop (Survey Results)HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
REVIEW OF COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2023 - 4:00 PM
CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. Call to Order
Mayor Forcier called the workshop to order at 4:00 p.m. Members present included Tim Burley,
Pat May, and Dave Sebesta. Member absent was Chad Czmowski. Others present were: Matt
Jaunich, City Administrator and other city directors.
REVIEW OF COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
2. Community Survey Results
Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, presented before the Council. Mr. Jaunich noted that today's
workshop is to review the results of the community survey that was distributed this past Summer.
A third party administered the survey which was a collaboration between the National Research
Center at POLCO and the International City/County Management Association. This
benchmarking survey provides a comprehensive and accurate picture of livability and residents'
perspectives about local government services, policies and management. The survey captures
resident's opinions and the results are based on resident perceptions. The survey results also
describes areas where the community believes things are going well and sheds light on the areas
that could benefit from improvement. Mr. Jaunich also provided information about the National
Citizen Survey which measures livability which describes a community that is not simply
habitable but that is desirable and not only where people do live, but where they want to live.
The 10 facets of a livable community described by the NCS are safety, mobility, natural
environment, community design, utilities, economy, parks & recreation, education/arts/culture,
inclusivity/engagement and health & wellness. The survey also contained some custom
questions.
The survey takes into account that "great communities are partnerships of the government, private
sector, community -based organizations and residents, all geographically connected". Again, the
survey captures resident's opinions on the community. There were 3000 surveys that went out
and of those 120 were returned. In the end, the results are the opinion of 761 residents.
Households were randomly selected and the survey has a margin of error of +/- 4%. The
response rate was 26% which was the lowest ever. The City has conducted the survey four times
(2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019). In addition to the direct surveys, 74 opt -in online surveys were
received. There was a demographic shift in survey respondents from past years with 71 % being
55+, 59% being female and 80% owned a home.
Mr. Jaunich reviewed survey results in all 10 facets:
Quality of Life — 84% of the residents rated the overall quality of life in Hutchinson as excellent
or good (same as in 2019).
Economy — 68% rated the overall economic health of the City as excellent or good (67% in
2019); 75% would recommend Hutchinson as a place to work (same as in 2019); and 64% would
recommend Hutchinson as a place to visit (65% in 2019).
Mobility — 63% rated the overall quality of the City's transportation system as excellent or good
(first time this question was asked).
Community Design — 7 1 % rated the overall design or layout of residential and commercial areas
as excellent or good (74% in 2019) and 80% viewed their neighborhood as a good to excellent
place to live (same as in 2019).
Utilities — 83% rated the overall quality of the City's utility infrastructure as excellent or good
(first time this question was asked).
Safety — 83% rated the overall feeling of safety within the City as excellent or good (88% in
2019); 95% feel safe in their neighborhood during the day (97% in 2019); 93% feel safe in the
downtown/commercial area during the day (96% in 2019); 84% feel safe from property crime
(75% in 2015); 89% feel safe from violent crime (87% in 2015); and 86% feel safe from fire,
flood or other natural disaster (first time this question was asked).
Natural Environment — 84% rated the overall quality of the natural environment within the City
as excellent or good (87% in 2019).
Parks & Recreation — 85% rated the overall quality of parks and recreation opportunities within
the City as excellent or good (first time this question was asked).
Health & Wellness — 68% rated the overall health and wellness opportunities within the City as
excellent or good (71% in 2019).
Education, Arts & Culture — 75% rated the overall opportunities for education, culture and the
arts within the City as excellent or good (73% in 2019).
Inclusivity & Engagement — 58% rated their connection and engagement with their community
as excellent or good (first time this questions was asked); 84% viewed Hutchinson as a good to
excellent place to raise children (same as in 2019); 68% viewed Hutchinson as a good to excellent
place to retire (same as in 2019); and 64% rated Hutchinson's sense of community as good to
excellent (60% in 2019).
Governance — 74% of residents rated the overall quality of services provided by the City as
excellent or good (78% in 2019); 82% gave the City's customer service a positive rating (78% in
2019); 70% gave a positive rating in regard to value of public information services (72% in
2019); 52% gave a positive rating in regard to value o f services for taxes paid (same as in 2019);
59% of residents rated the overall direction of the City as excellent or good (same as in 2019);
54% stated that the City was welcoming of citizen involvement (53% in 2019); 5 1 % stated they
were confident in City government (55% in 2019); 6 1 % stated that the City was acting in the best
interest of Hutchinson (58% in 2019); 61% stated that the City was being honest (63% in 2019);
58% stated that the City treats all residents fairly (same as in 2019); 55% stated they felt the City
was being open and transparent to the public (first time this question was asked); 5 1 % stated that
the City was informing residents about issues facing the community (first time this question was
asked); and 66% stated that the City was treating residents with respect (first time this question
was asked).
Participation — 42% of residents have contacted the City for help or information (40% in 2019);
11% have contacted a Hutchinson elected official to express their opinion (14% in 2019); 11%
have attended a local public meeting (16% in 2019); 27% have watched a local public meeting
(28% in 2019); 44% have volunteered their time to some group/activity (48% in 2019); 13% have
campaigned or advocated for a local issue, cause or candidate (same as in 2019); and 76% have
voted in the most recent local election (77% in 2015).
More detailed survey information within each fact is available in the complete report.
The custom questions survey results were as follows:
Additional street tax question ("Currently, the City spends about $4 million a year on street repair
and maintenance. In order to fund additional street repair and still maintain the current levels of
all City -provided services and programs, additional tax revenue would be needed. How much of
a property tax increase would you support or oppose if the revenue generated would be dedicated
to fixing, repairing, and upgrading city streets and its related infrastructure?"
$1 million increase: 40% Strongly Oppose; 14% Strongly Support; 26% Somewhat Oppose; 20%
Somewhat Support
$500,000 increase: 25% Strongly Oppose; 27% Strongly Support; 22% Somewhat Oppose; 26%
Somewhat Support
$250,000 increase; 17% Strongly Oppose; 38% Strongly Support; 13% Somewhat Oppose; 32%
Somewhat Support
Sales tax question ("If the sales tax were to be renewed, how much would you support or oppose
using the funds collected for each of the following purposes?"
Recreational Facilities: 14% Strongly Oppose; 30% Strongly Support; 14% Somewhat Oppose;
42% Somewhat Support
Water/Waste/Storm: 6% Strongly Oppose; 44% Strongly Support; 9% Somewhat Oppose; 41%
Somewhat Support
Roads & Bridges: 5% Strongly Oppose; 42% Strongly Support; 8% Somewhat Oppose; 45%
Somewhat Support
Mr. Jaunich also shared results of household questions that related to electric vehicles, recycling,
composting and energy/heat conservation.
Mr. Jaunich concluded survey results in that 1. Hutchinson rated higher than the national
benchmark in the following areas: overall quality of the utility infrastructure, ease of travel by
bicycle, ease of walking, well -planned residential growth, well -planned commercial growth,
preservation of the historical or cultural character of the community, availability of paths and
walking trails, volunteering time to some group/activity, storm water management and yard waste
pick-up; 2. Hutchinson rated lower than the national benchmark in using public transportation
instead of driving and shopping online; 3. Upward trends included overall economic health,
overall opportunities for education/culture/arts; recommend living in Hutchinson to someone who
asks; remain in Hutchinson for the next five years; feeling safe from property crime; feeling safe
from violent crime; vibrancy of downtown/commercial area; ease of public parking; ease of travel
by car; ease of travel by bicycle; recreational opportunities; opportunities to attend
cultural/arts/music activities; neighborliness of residents; opportunities to participate in social
events and activities, opportunities to attend special events and facilities, storm water
management, emergency preparedness, preservation of natural areas, government generally acting
in the best interest of the community, and importance of the community to focus on the overall
quality of natural environment; 4. Downward trends include overall health and wellness
opportunities, ease of travel by public transportation, contacted a Hutchinson elected official
within the last 12 months, watched a local public meeting over the last 12 months, walked or
biked instead of driving over the last 12 months, importance of the community to focus on the
overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts and importance of the community to focus
on residents' connection and engagement with their community. Mr. Jaunich also reviewed
significant increases and decreases (6% or more) from 2019.
The survey results showed that the top -rated City services are public library services, fire
services, City parks and public power (electric/gas).
The four key findings of the survey results showed that: 1. While the economy remains a top
priority for residents, perceptions of local businesses are on the rise. 2. Residents highlight the
City's overall design and ease of mobility as a community strength. 3. Hutchinson residents
appreciate the City's natural environment and offer insight into their own sustainability practices.
4. Overall, ratings in Hutchinson for 2023 generally remained stable.
Mr. Jaunich then reviewed the next steps Council and staff should take with the survey results.
Discussion was held on strategies to use to get more residents to participate in the survey.
3. Adjournment
Motion by May, second by Burley, to adjourn the workshop at 5:15 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
ATTEST:
Gary T. Forcier
Mayor
Matthew Jaunich
City Administrator