Accounting for
Opinions
Using Citizen Surveys to Inform Policy
Decisions
Tom Quist
Assistant to the City Manager
City of Cartersville, GA
Who’s in charge, here?
“Majorities formerly only underwent
government; they now conduct government.”
Woodrow Wilson
The Study of Administration, 1886
Bringing the Public to the Table
• Civic engagement key to democracy
• Common sources of public opinion and
engagement:
• Elections
• Organized interest groups (Chamber, Churches, Clubs,
etc)
• Influential community leaders
• Citizen complaints
• Media
• Who is missing?
How do we involve the general public?
• Public Meetings
• Citizen Surveys
•
•
•
•
Discover the “truth”
Scientific (valid and reliable)
Levels the playing field (gives the silent a voice)
Anonymity promotes honesty
Example: Stormwater
Storm drainage
Percent "excellent" or "good"
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
60%
50%
45%
46%
63%
51%
40%
30%
Stormwater Utility
Launched
20%
10%
0%
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
Curbside Recycling
• Cartersville conducted a pilot curbside
recycling program in the late 90’s, but it didn’t
work out (low participation and financially
difficult)
• Rising sentiment that city should offer
recycling service
• Staff concerns that recycling would require a
rate increase, which would upset customers
Curbside Recycling
Recycled used paper, cans or bottles from your home in last 12 months
Percent "yes"
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
68%
57%
57%
2003
2005
64%
63%
2009
2011
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2007
Curbside Recycling
Recycling
Percent "excellent" or "good"
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
Curbside Recycling
• Custom Policy Question: 2009
– To what degree do you support or oppose adding
a curbside recycling program, even if it meant an
additional collection fee?
67% Support
Curbside Recycling
• City to launch Curbside Recycling beginning in
January 2012.
• Across the board $2.00 monthly rate increase.
• Anticipated leap in reported recycling rates
and satisfaction in recycling services.
• Will evaluate again in Spring 2013.
Sunday Alcohol Sales (On Premises)
• Prior to 2009, Georgia did not allow Sunday
sales of alcohol.
• In 2009, State Legislature voted to allow
communities to decide for themselves
through referendum.
• Cartersville has strong conservative, religious
roots. Sunday alcohol sales could be a
potential “hot-button” issue.
Sunday Alcohol Sales (On Premises)
• To what extent do you support or oppose
changes in local laws to allow Sunday sale of
beer, wine and mixed drinks by restaurants for
consumption on the premises?
59% Support
Sunday Alcohol Sales (On Premises)
• Council avoided a potential hot-button issue
• Put on ballot, approved by…
59%
Same as Survey!
Sunday Alcohol Sales (Package)
• In 2011, State Legislature voted to extend
local control to include package sales.
Sunday Alcohol Sales (Package)
• The State legislature could permit cities to allow the
sale of alcohol on Sundays after 12pm in grocery and
convenience stores. To what extent would you
support Cartersville allowing the sales of alcohol on
Sundays after 12pm?
66% Support
Recreation Facilities Funding
• Development of recreational facilities on city
owned property
– City purchased 240 acres of green space
– Planned to develop recreational facilities
– How to fund?
– Proposed property tax increase and general
obligation bond
Recreation Facilities Funding
• To what extent do you support or oppose
improved recreational facilities on the Milam
Farm property?
73% Approve
Recreation Facilities Funding
• How likely or unlikely would you be to vote in
favor of a property tax backed bond, based on
a one mill increase to fund $12 million in
recreational improvements to the Milam Farm
property?
55% Opposed
Outcome
• We have not proceeded building recreational
facilities
• What we heard: people didn’t want more
taxes, didn’t want to burden future
generations with debt obligations
• Plan to explore alternate funding options (i.e.
SPLOST)
Conclusion
• Helps us to understand and be responsive to
citizens
• Keeps a finger on the pulse of public opinion
• Levels the playing field
• Helps Council make “values” decisions
• Determines strengths and weaknesses
• Validates past decisions
Contact Info
Tom Quist
[email protected]
(770) 607 – 2111
www.cityofcartersville.org