Clayton Receives Positive Responses to Citizen Survey
May 14, 2010
The final report with results of the 2010 Clayton citizen satisfaction survey, seven new high standards were added to the nine that were set in 2009. The city conducts the survey annually as part of its ongoing effort to assess citizen satisfaction with the quality of city services.
ETC Institute from Olathe, Kansas helped administer the survey. ETC Institute is recognized as a national leader in the design and administration of market research for local governments in 46 states and ETC’s benchmarking data is used by more than 100 communities across the country.
Major findings from the 2010 survey, which was sent to 1,800 randomly selected households in March, show that 97% of the residents surveyed feel that the quality of life in Clayton is excellent/good; 96% are very satisfied/satisfied with the quality of public safety services and 94% with the quality of parks and recreation program. Public safety services were ranked as the service that should receive the most emphasis.
“The expectations of City government are very high in Clayton. Your residents should know that the survey provides measurable proof that your city is meeting those expectations, by comparing your ratings to similar communities across the country.” ETC Institute’s Karen Falk told the Board of Aldermen during her presentation on May 11.
Benchmarks that compare Clayton to other municipalities regionally and nationally show 91% of the survey respondents in Clayton feel safe in their neighborhoods at night compared to 75% of other cities in the region and 68% nationally. Trends show significant increase in satisfaction with the city efforts to prevent crime and fires, in managing redevelopment, in keeping the community informed, in street maintenance and traffic management. Of the nine transportation issues, seven realized significant increases.
“From clean streets to fiscal stability, our city is run as efficiently and effectively and a well-run corporation,” said Mayor Linda Goldstein. “Clayton continues to set the standard for the region and outshines municipalities in
national comparisons as well.”
The City of Clayton, recognized locally and nationally for its exceptional level of services, responsive government and active citizenry, has created a culture of high achievers. Staff performance is above average because it is responding inkind to a well-educated, well-informed and involved citizenry. Recognizing the value of their input, there was a 30% response rate to the survey.
“Our citizens understand how important it is for us to understand what they expect from us,” said City Manager Craig Owens. “It helps us focus our efforts and resources toward achieving and maintaining excellence in all aspects of city services.”
The city plans to conduct citizen surveys annually to sustain the mutual recognition between city staff and the community is serves.
