HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 08/20/2024 - Memorandum from Amanda King re: 2024 Community Survey ResultsCommunications & Public Involvement
215 N. Mason St.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2209
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MEMORANDUM
Date: August 14, 2024
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Denzel Maxwell, Assistant City Manager
From: Amanda King, Communications Director
Subject: 2024 Community Survey Results
BACKGROUND
Since 2001, the City of Fort Collins has contracted with Polco/National Research Center, Inc.
(NRC) to administer the Community Survey with a representative sample of households to help
determine attitudes and perceptions about City services and overall direction. Community
Survey results and survey reports dating back to 2010 are available on the City website at
www.fcgov.com/communitysurvey.
The Community Survey serves as a consumer report card for the City by providing residents the
opportunity to rate the quality of life in the city and their satisfaction with community amenities and
local government. Residents also provide feedback to the City government on what is working
well and what is not and identify priorities for community planning and resource allocation.
METHODOLOGY & REPORTING:
Polco conducts the statistically valid survey and works with staff to ensure questions align with
the seven key outcome areas described in the City Strategic Plan and Budget. City staff review
the survey instrument before each administration to ensure the accuracy and relevancy of
questions. Questions are constructed carefully—where possible and appropriate—to enable
comparative regional and national benchmarking.
Docusign Envelope ID: 82440434-91F5-4884-88FB-653F15D32791
Attachment 1: 2024 Community Survey Executive Summary
Attachment 2: 2024 Community Survey Report of Results
The scientific survey was mailed to a probability-based sample of Fort Collins households in
both English and Spanish. Respondents received a postcard (with link to the online survey) and
a paper survey packet.
In keeping with best practice, survey results are weighted so that the gender, age, housing
tenure (rent or own), housing unit type (attached or detached) and area of residence are
represented in the proportions reflective of all adults in households in Fort Collins (based on
U.S. Census data).
2024 RESPONSE:
• 4,400 household surveys mailed (144 returned undeliverable; 3.27% rate)
• 557 total responses received (225 on paper and 332 online); 13% response rate
• 521 additional non-probability, open participation (opt in) responses
• 1078 total survey responses
• Survey was available online in Spanish; 2 responses received
• 8% of survey respondents self-identified as Hispanic/Latinx/Spanish origin.
• 95% confidence interval with +/- 3% margin of error
KEY FINDINGS:
• Overall quality of life, culture and recreation opportunities and City services continue to
be highly regarded and valued by residents
• Housing affordability was frequently ranked as an area of concern
• Overall, residents reported feeling safe in their community, with safety at night and while
using public transportation being areas of opportunity for improvement
• Residents perceive the local economy as robust, but would like to see more job
opportunities in the city
• Public information ratings show declines amid a changing communications landscape
• Residents give high marks involving their interactions with City employees
Results and trends are included in the attached reports and can be compared by respondent
subgroups using the household demographic characteristics and geographic location.
COMMUNITY PRIORITIES
Residents identified these top three items as budget priorities to focus on in the next five years:
Docusign Envelope ID: 82440434-91F5-4884-88FB-653F15D32791
Attachment 1: 2024 Community Survey Executive Summary
Attachment 2: 2024 Community Survey Report of Results
1. Neighborhood & Community Vitality (57%)
2. Transportation (55%)
3. Environment (51%)
The Economy (50% in 2024, 46% in 2023) and General Government (14% in 2024, 9% in 2023)
saw increased rankings. Culture, Parks and Recreation (34%) and Safety (28%) held steady.
The top five items below were identified as the ONE item residents want the City to improve on:
1. Housing cost or affordability (26%)
2. Transportation improvements, mobility, paths and trails (16%)
3. Government policies, spending, service delivery, etc. (7%)
4. Less growth & development; issues related to growth, planning and zoning (7%)
5. Traffic, roads and parking (6%)
BENCHMARKS
Results are also compared to Front Range and National benchmark cities through a national
benchmark database. Benchmark comparisons are provided when similar questions on the Fort
Collins survey are included in Polco’s database.
Fort Collins ranked higher than the Front Range benchmarks in 13 categories:
(* indicates a much higher ranking)
• Quality of shopping opportunities
• As a place to work
• Ease of travel by bicycle
• Street maintenance
• Overall appearance of the city
• Emergency preparedness
• Natural areas and open space *
• Parks overall
• Quality of recreational opportunities
• Availability of quality healthcare
• Quality of arts and cultural opportunities
• Frequency of interaction with City staff
• Volunteering time *
Docusign Envelope ID: 82440434-91F5-4884-88FB-653F15D32791
Attachment 1: 2024 Community Survey Executive Summary
Attachment 2: 2024 Community Survey Report of Results
Fort Collins ranked higher than the National benchmarks in nine categories:
(* indicates a much higher ranking)
• Ease of travel by bicycle *
• Street maintenance
• Carpooled with other adults or children instead of driving alone
• Overall appearance of the city
• Natural areas and open space *
• Quality of recreational opportunities
• Availability of quality healthcare
• Frequency of interaction with City staff
• Volunteering time
Fort Collins had similar or higher rankings than the Front Range benchmarks in every category.
Fort Collins ranked lower than the National benchmarks in four categories:
• Traffic enforcement
• Availability of affordable quality housing
• Police services overall
• Availability of affordable quality childcare
HOW DATA IS USED:
The survey results are an important factor in the City’s strategic work planning and Budgeting for
Outcomes (BFO) processes. Community Survey data is used by departments as an input to
measure the perceived effectiveness of various projects and programs, development of work
plans, and to identify areas of focus for improvement. Over 20 survey data points are used as
metrics which are reviewed quarterly by the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and department
heads
• The Community Survey is a key input ahead of the City’s 2025-26 Budget which is
scheduled to come to Council in a Work Session on Sept. 10
NEXT STEPS:
2024 Community Survey results are shared with Departments to inform strategic and annual
work planning. Data from the survey is considered during the Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO)
Docusign Envelope ID: 82440434-91F5-4884-88FB-653F15D32791
Attachment 1: 2024 Community Survey Executive Summary
Attachment 2: 2024 Community Survey Report of Results
process. Individual department presentations will be conducted as requested, and the survey
reports will be shared online with the community.
Attached are the Executive Summary of the scientific survey and the full report. These materials
are also available online at https://www.fcgov.com/communitysurvey, and can be printed upon
request. If Council is interested, individual district reports or presentations can be coordinated
through the City Manager’s and Communications and Public Involvement Offices.
Docusign Envelope ID: 82440434-91F5-4884-88FB-653F15D32791