HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 9/26/2023 - Memorandum From Amanda King Re: September 12, 2023 Work Session Summary - 2023 Community Survey Results
MEMORANDUM
Communications & Public Involvement
215 N. Mason St.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2209
fcgov.com
Date: September 19, 2023
To: Mayor and City Council
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Denzel Maxwell, Assistant City Manager
From: Amanda King, Communications Director
RE: September 12, 2023 Work Session Summary – 2023 Community Survey
Results
At the September 12 Work Session, staff was joined by Jade Arocha, Director of Survey
Research at NRC/Polco, to present a review of the 2023 annual Community Survey results.
Mayor Pro Tem Francis and Councilmembers Gutowsky, Pignataro, Canonico, Peel, and
Ohlson were present.
Summary of Discussion:
Key components of the survey design methodology, distribution, implementation and
response rates were reviewed.
Highlights from survey results, including overall comparisons to national and regional
benchmarks, and high-level trends of note were shared.
Key Findings:
o Fort Collins residents continue to enjoy an excellent quality of life in the city and
in their neighborhoods.
o While residents feel safe in the city, some safety-related ratings have declined.
o City parks, recreation, and cultural opportunities are highly valued by residents
with top scores going to trails, natural areas and parks.
o Residents appreciate many aspects of City services and governance, with high
marks in relation to creating a fostering a welcoming and inclusive community,
encouraging sustainability and overall direction of the City. User ratings relating
to direct interactions with City employees and providing opportunities to
participate in government activities also ranked highly.
o Information sources used and preferred by residents were reviewed. For the first
time, the City website exceeded Word of Mouth as an information source and
ranked highly as a preferred method of receiving information.
Councilmember questions & Feedback:
Q: Explain the rationale for combining data from the open (opt-in) survey with the non-
statistical sample. A: This was an emerging practice in survey design. The process
involves comparing the two datasets to verify the results are not radically different before
combining them, and ultimately gives a larger response base from which to draw
information. Additionally, the opt-in survey is used as an indirect marketing tool to
encourage sample survey recipients to complete the survey.
Q: How do we use the Community Survey to inform decision making? A: Survey results
feed into our Strategic Planning and Budget/OMAPs processes, shining spotlights on
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trends and areas of improvement which, in turn, City leadership
and staff can measure against work planning and resourcing.
Q: Has this affected budget outcomes? A: Yes, this information is included in Budget
Leadership Team deliberations when considering budget offers.
Councilmembers noted gradual declines in key areas, such as safety, and asked that
City leadership pay close attention to these in future work planning.
Benchmark Comparison Follow-Up:
Where benchmark comparisons could be made, Fort Collins received 6 higher ratings,
40 ratings similar ratings and 6 lower ratings than the national benchmarks. Fort Collins
received 9 higher ratings, 42 similar ratings and 1 lower rating than the Front Range
benchmarks. Below is a table of ratings that were higher/lower than the benchmarks:
National Benchmarks
Higher Ratings Lower Ratings
Ease of travel by bicycle Traffic enforcement
Carpooled with other adults or children
instead of driving alone
Availability of affordable quality housing
Natural areas and open space Police services overall
Quality of recreational opportunities Crime prevention
Have you had contact with any City
employee(s) by phone, in person, via email or
online within the last 12 months?
Air quality
Volunteered your time in Fort Collins Availability of affordable quality childcare
Front Range Benchmarks
Higher Ratings Lower Ratings
Quality of shopping opportunities Availability of affordable quality housing
Ease of travel by bicycle
Street maintenance
Overall appearance of the city
Natural areas and open space
Quality of recreational opportunities
Availability of quality healthcare
Have you had contact with any City
employee(s) by phone, in person, via email or
online within the last 12 months?
Volunteered your time in Fort Collins
Next Steps:
Staff will continue to analyze 2023 results and trends and will review/compare data with other
survey tools. Individual department presentations are being conducted upon request, and the
survey results are being shared online with the community.
Results will also inform the upcoming Strategic Plan update and 2024 departmental work plans.
If Council is interested in an individual district reports/presentations, they can be coordinated
through the City Manager’s and Communications and Public Involvement Offices.
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