2010 Media Releases

Date:

January 7, 2010

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831
Mitch Herian, Public Policy Center, 472-5678

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Online Survey Available Through January 18

Mayor Chris Beutler today released more results from a recent City phone survey of 600 randomly selected residents. The Mayor also encouraged the general public to take the same survey, which is available online at lincoln.ne.gov through January 18. Paper copies also are available at all Lincoln City Libraries.

The citizen satisfaction survey is critical in making the City a more performance-based organization," Beutler said. "The survey results will provide us with more of the information we need to make local government more responsive to the needs of those who live and work here.

Beutler released survey results last month showing that 91 percent of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their quality of life. Nearly two-thirds of those interviewed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the City's snow removal efforts. About 45 percent said they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that they receive good value for their City government tax dollars. At the same time, more than 70 percent of the phone survey respondents overestimated the percentage of their property tax dollar that goes to City government.

Phone survey results released today include the following:

• Just over 42 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with the number of unsightly or blighted properties in the City. But 73 percent said they were satisfied with the number of such properties in their neighborhood. "It appears that those citizens who do not have a problem property in their own neighborhoods are still concerned about blight elsewhere in the community," Beutler said. He said he would announce more about the City's plans to deal with problem properties in the next few weeks.
• Only about 38 percent of respondents were satisfied with Lincoln's job creation and economic development efforts, and 34 percent were not satisfied. "While Lincoln has fared extremely well compared to the rest of the country, with an unemployment rate that is less than half the national average, the survey results show that substantial concern about jobs still exists," Beutler said. "Citizen satisfaction in this area will increase if the public and private sector work together to create the conditions for job growth." Beutler said the proposed Lincoln Haymarket Arena and the private development associated with it are part of the local solution to economic woes. The arena project is expected to create more than 1,200 new permanent jobs and generate $260 million in economic activity annually.
• About 44 percent of respondents said they had great confidence in City government, compared to 26 percent who did not. But 44 percent disagreed that the City treats all neighborhoods fairly and equally, compared to 32 percent who agreed. "Some of this may be driven by the budget challenges we have faced in the past," Beutler said. "Some neighborhoods may have felt the pain of cuts more acutely than others. If that is the case, I am confident the work we have done to fix the City budget's structural imbalance will help to end this perception."

Complete results would be released once the online survey results are processed. The City is again partnering with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, which also helped with the PRIORITY LINCOLN project and earlier "Taking Charge" efforts.

TIMELINE - OUTCOME BASED BUDGETING IMPLEMENTATION

• February 12, 2008 - Mayor announces PRIORITY LINCOLN effort to solicit public opinion on how City spends tax dollars. City partners on project with University of Nebraska Public Policy Center with funding from the Lincoln Community Foundation.
• March 2008 - Phone survey of 600 randomly selected residents.
• April 12 - Follow up meeting with about 50 phone survey participants. Portions aired on 5 CITY-TV.
• April 21 - Phone survey results show residents rank safety and security and economic opportunity high.
• April and May 2008 - About 1,300 residents complete online survey or printed copy. About 200 residents participate in series of town hall meetings.
• Summer 2008 - Mayor and City Directors use PRIORITY LINCOLN results to shape budget.
• Fall 2008 - Mayor works with directors and private citizens to identify goals for eight City outcomes: Safety and Security, Economic Opportunity, Health and Productive People, Livable Neighborhoods, Effective Transportation, Environmental Quality, Accountable Government and Identity Lincoln.
• February 5, 2009 - City releases "Taking Charge: Progress Measures and Program Prioritization" and asks for public input on budget planning document.
• April and May 2009 - About 1,800 participate in "Taking Charge" online educational survey focusing on programs and services in danger of being cut or eliminated.
• May 16, 2009 - Day-long in-depth discussion with about 100 residents on City budget. Portions aired on 5 CITY-TV.
• Summer and Fall 2009 - Mayor works with City Directors and private citizens on indicators for goal areas.
• November 19, 2009 - Mayor announces City Stat meetings, random phone and online survey.

December 2009 - City Stat meetings held, phone survey completed, and online survey begins.