To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Kristin Zagurski, Assistant to the Town Manager
Title
Discussion/Direction: Results of 2017 Community Survey
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
The Town’s 2017 Major Projects Work Program calls for a community survey to be completed this year. To help accomplish that project, the Town retained the firm Northwest Research Group. Survey topics and questions were presented to Town Council for feedback in January and February before Northwest conducted the statistically valid survey between March 7 and April 3.
Results overall were favorable, with the Town receiving a 4-Star Rating overall in Northwest’s 5-Star Rating system; this is the same rating received in the 2015 community survey. 720 residents completed the survey, for an overall statistical confidence of plus or minus 3.6 percent. A survey of Town’s 1,649 business license holders also was completed, with 211 respondents, for a margin of error of plus or minus 6.3 percent.
Northwest Project Director Nathan Wiggin will go over the findings and entertain questions from Council regarding the data at the May 2 Council meeting. A full report on the survey is in Attachment A.
An open survey was conducted subsequent to the scientific survey. Ratings in that survey did not vary significantly from the scientific study and are not reflected in the attached report. Open-ended comments submitted through the open survey will be added to the report before it is published online.
Discussion
Resident Survey Results
The resident survey generally took respondents just under 30 minutes to complete and included questions in the following broad areas, under which results are summarized:
• General questions about the quality of life and quality and value of services in Town and a question regarding whether the Town is headed in the right direction
Nearly all residents surveyed say the quality of life in Castle Rock meets or exceeds expectations, which is similar to the 2015 result. Nine out of 10 residents say the quality of services the Town provides exceeds or greatly exceeds expectations - also the same rating as 2015. Further, Castle Rock continues to shine with regard to comparability to other communities, holding at 94 percent of residents surveyed believing Castle Rock is a better place to live than elsewhere.
Like in 2015, opinions continue to be mixed with regard to the direction the Town is headed. Six in 10 residents surveyed in 2017 believe the Town is headed in the right direction, while one-quarter think the Town is headed in the wrong direction. Based on analysis of survey responses, the latter sentiment most likely is connected to the Town’s growth.
Four out of five residents believe they are getting their money’s worth for their tax dollars. While this represents a decline from 2015, Castle Rock still fares well in this area when compared to both national benchmarks, and to other 4-Star communities.
• Thoughts regarding the Town’s strategic priorities
Residents indicate belief that all eight Town strategic priorities are leading the Town in the right direction, with scores ranging from almost 8 to about 6.25 on an 11-point scale, where 10 indicates heading strongly in the right direction. The priorities with the strongest support are ensuring public safety, maintaining strong parks and recreation, ensuring our water future and managing the Town’s fiscal obligations.
• Questions regarding Castle Rock as a place to live, including about important issues in and aspects of the Town, as well as regarding how well the Town keeps residents informed and how likely residents are to recommend Castle Rock as a place to raise children, do business, retire and work
Residents provide good ratings regarding most aspects of living in Castle Rock, with ratings for all but one comparable attribute steady or increased from 2015. The one aspect that declined was the cost of living in Castle Rock; Northwest cites lower ratings in this area as a nationwide trend.
Like in 2015, respondents identify sprawl/growth and traffic/congestion as the biggest issues facing Castle Rock when asked an open-ended question about that topic. Though, concerns related to both of these areas declined from 2015, indicating the Town has made progress in addressing these concerns.
Scores related to keeping residents informed regarding Town happenings and seeking their involvement and input both have declined from 2015 but still outscore national benchmarks and are similar to scores in 4-Star communities.
Residents are very likely to recommend the Town as a place to raise children and rate the Town as above average, though not excellent, as a place to do business, retire and work. The latter of these items has increased from 2015 - likely a positive reflection of the community’s growth.
• Evaluations of specific aspects of Town services including Police, Fire/EMS, Roads/Public Works, Water and Parks and Recreation
Respondents who had interacted with the Police and Fire departments indicate they are highly satisfied with nearly all aspects of their services.
Ratings for most mobility-related aspects improved over 2015, including the overall convenience and accessibility of roads, the overall condition of the road surface and traffic signal timing. Ratings regarding the adequacy of walking/biking paths and plowing of roads remain good, though not as strong as in 2015.
Residents continue to be satisfied with Castle Rock Water’s services, though more education surrounding the Town’s long-term water issues still is needed.
Finally, residents indicated Parks and Recreation-related preferences, with a preference expressed for regional park development over neighborhood park development, and for development of recreational opportunities at Rueter-Hess Reservoir over other potential options.
• Thoughts regarding special topics
Residents were asked whether they support or oppose the Town investing in public transportation services in Castle Rock. 66 percent of residents either support or strongly support such investment, with 22 percent opposed and the remaining
12 percent neutral. With regard to funding such a service, it was assumed that those opposed to transit would not support paying an additional tax for such a system. This indicates that 55 percent of respondents are opposed to paying a new tax for public transportation, while 39 percent would support a new tax, with the remaining 5 percent neutral.
Respondents also were asked whether they would support a lodging tax and a five-year TABOR time-out to fund police, fire/rescue and transportation items. 63 percent of residents say they would support a lodging tax, and 59 percent a TABOR time-out. It is important to note that this survey reflects sentiments among all residents and not among those residents likely to vote should an election occur on these topics.
Business Survey Results
Three-quarters of surveyed business license holders rate Castle Rock as a good or excellent place to operate a business. A similar number rate the quality of services provided to businesses by the Town equally high.
Like residents, business respondents have mixed views on whether the Town is headed in the right direction, with seven in 10 thinking the Town is on the right path and two in 10 thinking the Town is on the wrong path.
About two-thirds of businesses think they’re getting their money’s worth for their tax dollars, while roughly one in 10 businesses believe they are not. The remaining one-quarter is neutral on the topic.
Similar to residents, business respondents believe growth is a major issue facing businesses in Town. Lack of customers/employees and parking also were cited as top-of-mind concerns among business owners/managers. Though, more businesses were inclined to say there are no major issues facing businesses in Town than cited any of these issues.
Next Steps
As key as the survey results are the actions they ignite. Following the 2015 community survey, concerted efforts were made to improve investments in transportation, as well as with regard to seeking residents’ involvement and input - particularly as it relates to growth.
As stated above, most mobility-related ratings increased from 2015 to 2017 - a positive reflection of additional resources being directed toward transportation capital improvements. Some projects of note completed since the 2015 survey was administered are the completion of the Founders/Meadows Parkway and Plum Creek Parkway reconstructions, and the opening of the new Castle Rock Parkway/North Meadows Drive interchange.
With regard to seeking additional resident involvement and input, an online focus group was convened to discuss several key topics from the 2015 survey. Additionally, several community open houses were held in 2016 on the topic of growth, as well as on the Town’s 2017 Budget. The Town also in 2016 launched a civic academy to provide residents and business owners a broad education on Town government. A second class is planned for this fall. The Town also offers annually a Citizens Police Academy. Additionally, more than 20 open houses and other public meetings are already in the works for 2017, so strong effort in this area is expected to continue.
Further examining items related to the value of services and cost of living, Castle Rock Water has in place a financial management plan to minimize rates and fees changes. Aside from golf greens fees, Parks and Recreation fees have not increased in several years. Sales tax has held steady since 2011, and the Town’s property tax rate has declined almost 14 percent over the last decade and is among the lowest along the Front Range. Managing Town fiscal obligations - including charging appropriate impact fees so that growth is paying for growth - is a key priority of the Town that addresses these concerns.
Staff encourages Council to discuss the survey results and any potential additional desired action items.
Attachments
Attachment A: 2017 Castle Rock Community Survey Final Report