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Citizen survey: Winnipeggers satisfied with City services WINNIPEG - NOVEMBER 07, 2002 - More than 90% of Winnipeggers give the City of Winnipeg top marks for the services it provides – a dramatic 13% increase from 1998, indicates a Prairie Research Associates citizen survey released today. Of that 90%, 22% – up from 9% in 1998 – are not just satisfied, but “very” satisfied. The random telephone survey, done for the City of Winnipeg in late September, has been conducted annually since 1998 and this year had 1,600 Winnipeggers respond to 63 questions on citizen satisfaction and quality of life issues. The results show fire protection has the highest satisfaction level – 98% of respondents are either “very” or “somewhat” satisfied – followed by recreation programs (96%), libraries, garbage collection, parks and ambulance/paramedics (93%). Respondents were asked to state whether they are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with city services. “The survey is important because it identifies what we do well, and where and how we can do better,” said CAO Gail Stephens, who released the results today. “The City of Winnipeg is charged with delivering more than 100 services, 365 days a year. Winnipeggers are telling us we’ve met the challenge of providing a wide range of services and are living up to their expectations,” Stephens said. The survey will be shared with the newly elected council to help councillors set their priorities on spending and programs. “We’re moving forward together. The survey shows almost half of Winnipeggers (48%) believe our city will be a better place in the future, that’s up 14% from five years ago,” she said. However, the survey also suggests there is a need to address some key issues. Winnipeggers are less satisfied with traffic law enforcement (69%), community planning (68%), crime control (63%), downtown renewal (61%), major and residential street conditions (55% and 54% respectively) and rush-hour traffic flow (45%). While 50% of Winnipeggers would accept an increase in property taxes equal to inflation to ensure service levels remain the same, only 38% believe they get very good or good value for their municipal tax dollar. “We recognize this seems to contradict the survey’s overall finding that 90% of Winnipeggers give top marks to the City for its services, but we believe there continues to be some confusion over the school tax portion of the property tax bill,” Stephens said. “The City collects the school taxes, even though that money does not go to city services. In 2002, school taxes represented 52.80% of the property tax bill, while the municipal portion was 47.20%. As for quality of life issues, Winnipeggers remain extremely positive about the city – 94% believe Winnipeg is a good city to raise a family, 87% believe their quality of life is very good or good, and 79% are optimistic about the economy. Prairie Research Associates Inc. Stats available as graphs at: winnipeg.ca/interhom/highlights/ |
Last update: 05.11.2004
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