Survey Conducted April 21-29, 2016
220-4470
Survey Methodology
 208 telephone interviews with voters likely to
cast ballots in November 2016 in Indian Wells
 Interviews conducted April 21-29, 2016
 Interviews online, on landlines and on cell phones
 Margin of sampling error of +/- 6.8% at the
95% confidence level
 Some percentages may not sum to 100% due to
rounding
1
2
Three-quarters of voters think things in
Indian Wells are headed in the right direction.
In general, would you say that things in Indian Wells are generally headed in the
right direction, or do you feel that things are off on the wrong track?
Wrong
Track
9%
Right
Direction
76%
DK/NA
15%
Q1.
3
Voters hold local government in high esteem,
particularly the police and fire departments.
I am going to read you a list of organizations. Please tell me if you approve or
disapprove of the job being done by the organization or individual.
Strng. App.
Smwt. App.
Smwt. Disapp.
Indian Wells Fire Department
Strng. Disapp.
78%
Indian Wells Police Department
58%
Indian Wells City government, overall
53%
17%
0%
20%
92%
0%
6%
91%
3%
5%
78%
17%
66%
21%
13%
49%
40%
15% 6% 13%
60%
Total Total
App. Disapp.
14% 8%
33%
25%
The Indian Wells City Council
DK/NA
80%
100%
Q2.
4
Indian Wells residents are very satisfied with City
services and perceive City
government as transparent.
I would like to read you a series of statements that people have made about the City of
Indian Wells. Please tell me if you believe it is accurate or inaccurate.
Very Acc.
Smwt. Acc.
The City of Indian Wells provides adequate
services and takes care of the needs of local
residents.
42%
I am confident that Indian Wells City
government operates in a way that is open
and accountable to the public.
20%
The City of Indian Wells’ finances are
generally well-managed.
21%
Without additional funds, Indian Wells will
be forced to make cuts to local fire and 911
emergency services due to severe state and
county cost increases.
Smwt. Inacc.
8%
0%
45%
20%
Total
Acc.
Total
Inacc.
7%
89%
9%
16% 9%
71%
25%
15% 7% 12%
66%
22%
31%
42%
46%
51%
23%
DK/NA
Very Inacc.
22%
19%
40%
60%
28%
80%
100%
Q9.
5
Concerns in Indian Wells are generally very low, with
modest concern regarding utility costs and taxes.
I’m going to read you a list of things some people say may be problems facing Indian Wells.
Please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a
somewhat serious problem, or not a problem for Indian Wells residents.
Ext. Ser.
Increases in utility costs
18%
The amount you pay in local taxes
Cuts in resident benefits and amenities
9%
Cost of police department services
7% 15%
5%
0%
26%
18%
8% 14%
12%
33%
5%
16%
10%
28%
6%
22%
55%
27%
18%
26%
22%
24%
17%
62%
40%
60%
32%
30%
27%
34%
40%
24%
20%
29%
17%
20%
16% 7%
48%
21%
Ext./Very
Serious
DK/NA
31%
13% 11% 8%
10%
Not a Prob.
38%
18%
Impact of tourists and outside visitors
Potholes and street repair
Smwt. Ser.
22%
14%
911 emergency response times
The cost of benefits for public employees
Very Ser.
80%
100%
Q10.
6
Only one third of voters see a need
for additional funding.
In your personal opinion, do you think there is a great need, some need, a little
need, or no real need for additional funds to provide the level of public safety
services that Indian Wells residents need and want?
Great need
Great/
Some
Need
33%
9%
Some need
23%
A little need
9%
No real need
41%
Don't know
Little/
No Real
Need
49%
18%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Q3.
7
8
Indian Wells Medical Emergency Response
and Fire Safety Measure
Indian Wells Medical Emergency Response and Fire Safety
Measure.
To maintain 911 medical emergency response times; retain
ambulance transport without direct fees; maintain current
paramedics/firefighters, and upgrade fire equipment, shall the
City of Indian Wells enact a new $15 per month parcel tax until
repealed by voters, providing $900,000 per year, increasing
annually by costs of services not to exceed 2%, with citizens’
oversight, independent financial audits, and funding only used
for City of Indian Wells medical emergency fire safety services?
Q4. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of it, or no to oppose this measure?
9
Over half of the voters
back this measure, but support is soft.
If the election were held today, would you vote yes in
favor of it, or no to oppose this measure?
26% Def/Prob
Yes
26%
52%
Definitely yes
Probably yes
Undecided, lean yes
Total
Yes
56%
4%
Undecided, lean no
2%
Probably no
17%
Definitely no
17%
Undecided
Total
No
36%
8%
0%
20%
40%
Q4.
10
11
A measure appears viable at the $10 and $7 per
month tax rates.
Suppose the fire safety parcel tax measure were for _______instead.
Would you vote yes in favor of it, or no to oppose this measure?
$13 per Month
Definitely yes
27%
Probably yes
30%
Undecided, lean yes
4%
Undecided, lean no
2%
Probably no
14%
Definitely no
16%
Undecided
Total
Yes
61%
20%
$7 per Month
28%
29%
Total
34% Yes
66%
4%
1%
Total
No
32%
12%
15%
6%
0%
$10 per Month
Q5. Asked Only if Answered No on Initial Vote
Q6. Asked Only if Answered No on $13 per Month Vote
Q7. Asked Only if Answered No on $10 per Month Vote
60%
80% 0%
20%
4%
10%
14%
Total
No
26%
5%
6%
40%
36%
2%
Total
No
28%
Total
Yes
69%
40%
60%
80% 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
12
Maintaining 911 emergency response times,
retaining ambulance transport, and emergency
dispatch operates are most important to voters.
I am going to read you a list of ways in which the funds generated by this measure have been,
and could continue to be, spent. Please tell me how important each item is to you personally.
Ext. Impt.
Maintaining 911 response times
Very Impt.
Smwt. Impt.
37%
Not Too Impt.
42%
DK/NA
Ext./Very
Impt.
13%
80%
*Retaining Indian Wells’ ambulance transport
without charge to the person being transported
33%
Retaining 911 emergency dispatch operators
31%
Maintaining the number of on-duty firefighters
and paramedics
29%
39%
Preventing cuts to the number of paramedics
29%
37%
17%
8% 9%
66%
Preventing cuts to fire protection equipment,
including fire engines
28%
37%
22%
8% 6%
65%
0%
20%
30%
21%
41%
40%
18%
20%
60%
80%
64%
13%
5% 5%
72%
5% 7%
69%
100%
Q11. *Split Sample
13
Voters value an array of public and safety fire provisions.
Ext. Impt.
Very Impt.
Smwt. Impt.
Not Too Impt.
DK/NA
Ext./Very
Impt.
8%
70%
5% 5%
67%
*Retaining Indian Wells’ ambulance transport
without direct fees for users
26%
Retaining and training firefighters
26%
Upgrading emergency communications
equipment, such as radios and computers, to
reduce 911 response times
26%
39%
22%
8% 6%
64%
Purchasing fire safety equipment for Indian
Wells firefighters
26%
37%
23%
5%
8%
64%
11% 6%
59%
14%
28%
Purchasing new ambulances when needed
44%
41%
18%
Upgrading the local fire station
12%
0%
21%
23%
41%
16%
20%
25%
32%
40%
26%
60%
80%
100%
Q11. I am going to read you a list of ways in which the funds generated by this measure have been, and could continue to be, spent. Please tell me how important each item is to you personally.
*Split Sample
14
Voters are most likely to support the measure
if it can only be ended by voters.
The final structure of the measure has not been determined. I am going to read
you some possible provisions of this measure. Please tell me whether including
that item makes you more likely or less likely to support this measure.
Total More Likley
The measure can only be
terminated with voter approval
Total Less Likely
Difference
31%
+27%
58%
Limiting the measure to be
in effect for 10 years
44%
Limiting the measure to be
in effect for 25 years
24%
80%
60%
40%
20%
+7%
37%
-31%
55%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Q8.
15
16
Messages in Favor of the Measure
Messages
(RESPONSE TIMES) The American Heart Association says brain deterioration starts five minutes after a
person stops breathing, but without this measure Indian Wells will be forced to reduce medical
paramedics positions, increasing 911 emergency response times. This measure ensures that people
suffering from heart attacks, strokes, or other medical emergencies receive the immediate paramedic care
they need to increase their chance for survival.
(ACCOUNTABILITY/LOCAL CONTROL) This measure includes strict accountability provisions, such as
independent citizens’ oversight of spending, public spending reports, and annual independent financial
audits. All funds must be used only in Indian Wells for fire and emergency medical services.
(CUTS - FIRE SAFETY) Without this measure, the City will have to make cuts to fire safety and emergency
response services, such as the eliminating ambulance transport, that currently has no charge to the
person being transported, and reducing the number of medic units. Within five years, the City will be
unable to afford new ambulances and ladders for fire trucks and will be unable to make critical repairs to
its deteriorating 36-year old fire station. These cuts will jeopardize the City’s ability to respond in case of
an emergency.
(PERSONNEL) Without this measure, the City will have fewer paramedics on staff and, in the long term,
fewer firefighters. This measure is essential to keeping the emergency respondents that keep us safe.
(CUTS - AMENITIES) Without this measure, the City will have to make cuts to resident benefits and
amenities such as patio parties, free tennis tickets, discounts at the City golf resort, free arts festival
tickets, and support of other special events.
Q12. I am going to read you some statements made by supporters of this ballot measure. Please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not convincing as a reason
to support this ballot measure.
17
Messages related to maintaining emergency
response times and accountability
resonate with voters.
Very Conv.
Response Times
Smwt. Conv.
42%
Accountability/Local Control
34%
34%
75%
41%
Cuts - Fire Safety
31%
27%
58%
Personnel
30%
29%
59%
Cuts - Amenities
20%
0%
20%
20%
75%
41%
40%
60%
80%
Q12. I am going to read you some statements made by supporters of this ballot measure. Please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not convincing as a reason
to support this ballot measure.
18
Support for a measure fluctuates
with pro and con arguments.
Initial Vote
After Positive
Statements
After Negative
Statements
75%
Total Yes
56%
60%
57%
60%
45%
Total No
36%
34%
35%
30%
Undecided
8%
15%
7%
7%
0%
Q4/Q13/Q15. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of it, or no to oppose this measure?
20
21
Conclusions
 Over half of voters would vote “yes” on the Indian Wells
Medical Emergency Response and Fire Safety Measure (56%).
 However, two-thirds would support the measure at a $10 per
month tax rate and seven in ten would support it at a $7 per
month tax rate.
 Voters prioritize maintaining emergency response times,
retaining ambulance transport, and retaining emergency
dispatch operators.
 Pro arguments related to response times and accountability
provisions are seen as compelling.
22