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Sent to mayors or city managers/administrators at 281 cities in May 2008. 194 cities responded, representing 84% of cities and 89% of city residents.
Contact Information
City/Town
Last Name
First Name
Title
Phone
Email
What's Below:
Relationships with Citizens and Other Governments
City Services
Community Conditions
City Budget Influences
Infrastructure Needs
Potential Strategies
What do you believe are citizen attitudes toward government in general? (191 responses)
Residents of my city trust government
Agree (count 14; 7%)
Somewhat Agree (count; 52%)
Somewhat Disagree (count 64; 34%)
Disagree (count 13; 7%)
Residents of my city participate in government
Agree (count 13; 7%)
Somewhat Agree (count 79; 41%)
Somewhat Disagree (count 74; 39%)
Disagree (count 25; 13%)
Residents of my city sense value for the taxes they pay for government
Agree (count 14; 7)
Somewhat Agree (count 68; 36%)
Somewhat Disagree (count 84; 44%)
Disagree (count 23; 12%)
What do you believe are citizen attitudes toward your city government? (193 responses)
Residents in my city trust their government
Agree (count 56; 29%)
Somewhat Agree (count 105; 54%)
Somewhat Disagree (count 28; 15%)
Disagree (count 4; 2%)
Residents of my city participate in city government
Agree (count 34; 18%)
Somewhat Agree (count 88; 46%)
Somewhat Disagree (count 53; 28%)
Disagree (count 18; 9%)
Residents of my city sense value for the taxes they pay for city government
Agree (count 46; 24%)
Somewhat Agree (count 93; 48%)
Somewhat Disagree (count 48; 25%)
Disagree (count 6; 3%)
For each of the following components of your city’s core infrastructure, do you believe that citizens are aware of your current improvement needs? (194 responses)
Streets
Yes (count 147; 76%)
No (count 34; 18%)
Don’t Know (count 12; 6%)
Not Provided (count 1; .5%)
Water
Yes (count 78; 40%)
No (count 77; 40%)
Don’t Know (count 20; 10%)
Not Provided (count 17; 9%)
Sewer
Yes (count 65; 34%)
No (count 82; 42%)
Don’t Know (count 24; 12%)
Not Provided (count 22; 11%)
Stormwater
Yes (count 41; 21%)
No (count 98; 51%)
Don’t Know (count 28; 14%)
Not Provided (count 25; 13%)
Capital facilities (City hall, community centers, etc.)
Yes (count 75; 39%)
No (count 88; 45%)
Don’t Know (count 28; 14%)
Not Provided (count 0; 0%)
Parks
Yes (count 125; 64%)
No (count 47; 24%)
Don’t Know (count 18; 9%)
Not Provided (count 0; 0%)
For each of the following components of your city’s core infrastructure, do you believe that citizens are aware of your current funding needs? (194 responses)
Streets
Yes (count 85; 44%)
No (count 98; 51%)
Don’t Know (count 11; 6%)
Not Provided (count 0; 0%)
Water
Yes (count 55; 28%)
No (count 102; 53%)
Don’t Know (count 20; 10%)
Not Provided (count 16 (8%)
Sewer
Yes (count 58; 30%)
No (count 96; 59%)
Don’t Know (count 18; 9%)
Not Provided (count 21; 11%)
Stormwater
Yes (count 29; 15%)
No (count 116; 60%)
Don’t Know (count 22; 11%)
Not Provided (count 24; 12 %)
Capital facilities (City hall, community centers, etc.)
Yes (count 54; 28%)
No (count 114; 59%)
Don’t Know (count 21; 11%)
Not Provided (count 1; .5%)
Parks
Yes (count 74; 38%)
No (count 99; 51%)
Don’t Know (count 17; 9%)
Not Provided (count 1; .5%)
Please indicate which efforts, if any, your city has made to work with citizens to identify budget/service priorities? (Check all that apply) (176 responses)
Surveys (count 95; 54%)
Community outreach/forums (count 125; 71%)
Press kits for media (count 26; 15%)
Webpage on city website (count 103; 59%)
Online budget calculator (count 10; 6%)
Other (please explain) (count 53; 30%)
Please indicate how each relationship has changed in your community over the past four years (since 2004). (192 responses)
City relationship with community groups
Improved (count 136; 71%)
Worsened (count 9; 5%)
No change (count 41; 21%)
N/A (count 6; 3%)
City relationships with neighborhood associations
Improved (count 81; 42%)
Worsened (count 8; 4%)
No change (count 54; 28%)
N/A (count 49; 26%)
County relations with your city
Improved (count 96; 50%)
Worsened (count 20; 10%)
No change (count 73; 38%)
N/A (count 3; 2%)
Special purpose district relations with your city
Improved (count 67; 35%)
Worsened (count 10; 5%)
No change (count 70: 37%)
N/A (count 43; 22%)
State relations with your city
Improved (count 99; 52%)
Worsened (count 11; 6%)
No change (count 77; 40%)
N/A (count 4; 2%)
For each of the items below, please indicate which services you consider to be mandatory/essential or discretionary/citizen-demanded (majority of citizens strongly want it to be in place). (191 responses)
Only check “not provided” if your city does not provide the service directly or through service contract.
|
|
Mandatory/ essential | Discretionary/ citizen demanded | Not provided by city staff or contract |
| General Government | |||
| General administration | count 180; 93% | count 8; 4% | count 0; 0% |
| Planning/permitting | count 168; 87% | count 17; 9% | count 4; 2% |
| Business recruitment/retention | count 46; 24% | count 73; 38% | count 66; 34% |
| Recreation/youth/senior services | count 38; 20% | count 105; 54% | count 45; 23% |
| Library | count 48; 25% | count 62; 32% | count 78; 40% |
| Human/social services | count 24;12% | count 60; 31% | count 104; 54% |
| Other | count 1; .5% | count 3; 2% | count 13; 7% |
| Public Safety | |||
| Police | count 173; 90% | count 3; 2% | count 12; 6% |
| Jail | count 98; 51% | count 9; 5% | count 80; 42% |
| Courts | count 123; 64% | count 17; 9% | count 48; 25% |
| Fire | count 159; 82% | count 6; 3% | count 25; 13% |
| EMS | count 134; 69% | count 18; 9% | count 38; 20% |
| Other | count 3; 2% | count 5; 3% | count 11; 6% |
| Infrastructure | |||
| Streets | count 178; 92% | count 6; 3% | count 0; 0% |
| Water | count 167; 87% | count 2; 1% | count 19; 10% |
| Sewer | count 157; 81% | count 4; 2% | count 26; 14% |
| Stormwater | count 130; 67% | count 24; 12% | count 31; 16% |
| Parks | count 91; 47% | count 88; 46% | count 5; 3% |
| Solid waste/recycling | count 112; 58% | count 42; 22% | count 32; 17% |
| Other | count 3; 2% | count 2; 1% | count 7; 4% |
For the services identified as mandatory/essential and
discretionary/citizen-demanded, are you optimistic/pessimistic as to your city’s
ability to provide these services? (184 responses)
Mandatory/essential
Very optimistic (count 78; 42%)
Somewhat optimistic (count 85; 46%)
Somewhat pessimistic (count 19; 10%)
Very pessimistic (count 2; 1%)
Discretionary/citizen-demanded
Very optimistic (count 31; 17%)
Somewhat optimistic (count 98; 53%)
Somewhat pessimistic (count 37; 20%)
Very pessimistic (count 10; 5%)
For the following services, please identify the three (3) that improved the most in your community over the past four years (since 2004). (186 responses)
| Option | Count | Percent |
| General administration | 67 | 36% |
| Planning/permitting | 78 | 42% |
| Business recruitment/retention | 29 | 16% |
| Recreation/youth/senior services | 26 | 14% |
| Library | 11 | 6% |
| Human/social services | 4 | 2% |
| Police | 68 | 37% |
| Jail | 2 | 1% |
| Courts | 6 | 3% |
| EMS | 15 | 8% |
| Fire | 28 | 15% |
| Streets | 39 | 21% |
| Sewer | 32 | 17% |
| Water | 43 | 23% |
| Stormwater | 17 | 9% |
| Parks | 61 | 33% |
| Solid waste/recycling | 10 | 5% |
| Other | 7 | 4% |
Identify those three (3) services that have been most difficult to sustain
during the last four years (since 2004). (181 responses)
| Option | Count | Percent |
| General administration | 29 | 16% |
| Planning/permitting | 26 | 14% |
| Business recruitment/retention | 40 | 22% |
| Recreation/youth/senior services | 37 | 20% |
| Library | 16 | 9% |
| Human/social services | 21 | 12% |
| Police | 46 | 25% |
| Jail | 21 | 12% |
| Courts | 10 | 6% |
| EMS | 13 | 7% |
| Fire | 25 | 14% |
| Streets | 93 | 51% |
| Sewer | 35 | 19% |
| Water | 23 | 13% |
| Stormwater | 28 | 16% |
| Parks | 46 | 25% |
| Solid waste/recycling | 8 | 4% |
| Other | 4 | 2% |
Please explain why the services identified above were most difficult to sustain.
For the following community conditions, please indicate if they present a major problem, moderate problem or minor/no problem in your community. (191 responses)
Availability of employment opportunities
Major Problem (count 70; 37%)
Moderate Problem (count 69; 36%)
Minor/No Problem (count 49; 26%)
Availability of low income and affordable housing
Major Problem (count 54; 28%)
Moderate Problem (count 96; 50%)
Minor/No Problem (count 37; 19%)
Vitality of downtown/main street/retail corridors
Major Problem (count 80; 42%)
Moderate Problem (count 65; 34%)
Minor/No Problem (count 42; 22%)
Environmental quality
Major Problem (count 7; 4%)
Moderate Problem (count 77; 40%)
Minor/No Problem (count 98; 51%)
Traffic congestion
Major Problem (count 35; 18%)
Moderate Problem (count 49; 26%)
Minor/No Problem (count 102; 53%)
Public transportation/transit service quality/availability
Major Problem (count 47; 25%)
Moderate Problem (count 64; 34%)
Minor/No Problem (count 73; (38%)
Adequacy of recreation and cultural amenities
Major Problem (count 20; 11%)
Moderate Problem (count 93; 49%)
Minor/No Problem (count 72; 38%)
High speed telecom/broadband/internet availability
Major Problem (count 12; 6%)
Moderate Problem (count 48; 25%)
Minor/No Problem (count 126; 66%)
Health care quality/availability
Major Problem (count 18; 9%)
Moderate Problem (count 83; 44%)
Minor/No Problem (count 84; 44%)
Social services quality/availability
Major Problem (count 21; 11%)
Moderate Problem (count 91; 48%)
Minor/No Problem (count 73; 38%)
K-12 education quality/availability
Major Problem (count 17; 9%)
Moderate Problem (count 38; 20%)
Minor/No Problem (count 130; 68%)
Crime
Major Problem (count 18; 9%)
Moderate Problem (count 99; 52%)
Minor/No Problem (count 69; 36%)
Homelessness
Major Problem (count 7; 4%)
Moderate Problem (count 47; 25%)
Minor/No Problem (count 131; 69%)
Other
Major Problem (count 7; 4%)
Moderate Problem (count 1; .5%)
Minor/No Problem (count 11; 6%)
Of the following conditions, which three (3) will be the most important for your community to address in the next four years (present to 2012)? (187 responses)
Availability of employment opportunities (count 89; 48%)
Availability of low income and affordable housing (count 68; 36%)
Vitality of downtown/main street/retail corridors (count 117; 63%)
Environmental quality (count 26; 14%)
Traffic congestion (count 52; 28%)
Public transportation/transit service quality/availability (count 43; 23%)
Adequacy of recreation and cultural amenities (count 38; 20%)
High speed telecom/broadband/internet availability (count 9; 5%)
Health care quality/availability (count 16; 9%)
Social service quality/availability (count 8; 4%)
K-12 education quality/availability (count 18; 10%)
Crime (count 45; 24%)
Homelessness (count 4; 2%)
Other (count 13; 7%)
For the following items, please indicate if there has been an increase, decrease, or no change over the past four years (since 2004) (Part A).
Please also indicate the degree to which this change had an impact on your city budget (Part B). (189 responses)
Please note an impact to your budget can be positive or negative.
| PART A: CHANGE | PART B: IMPACT TO BUDGET | ||||||
| REVENUES | Increase | No Change | Decrease | Not Applicable | Major Impact | Moderate Impact | No Impact |
| City sales tax base (commercial activity) | count 101; 53% | count 56; 30% | count 20; 11% | count 5; 3% | count 63 33% | count 85; 45% | count 23; 12% |
| City property tax base (new
construction/ improvements) |
count 127; 67% | count 46; 24% | count 7; 4% | count 2; 1% | count 47; 25% | count 101; 53% | count 26; 14% |
| Other city tax base | count 58; 31% | count 77; 41% | count 13; 7% | count 28; 15% | count 33; 18% | count 67; 36% | count 60; 32% |
| Amount of federal aid to city | count 37; 20% | count 70; 37% | count 43; 23% | count 24; 13% | count 44; 23% | count 46; 30% | count 60; 32% |
| Amount of state aid to city | count 58; 31% | count 57; 30% | count 57; 30% | count 5; 3% | count 65; 34% | count 73; 39% | count 30; 16% |
| Reliance on user fees to pay for city services | count 79; 42% | count 83; 44% | count 4; 2% | count 11; 6% | count 39; 21% | count 68; 36% | count 57; 30% |
| Reliance on reserves | count 77; 41% | count 68; 36% | count 22; 12% | count 10; 5% | count 52; 28% | count 50; 27% | count 65; 34% |
| Other | count 0; 0% | count 4; 2% | count 3; 2% | count 1; 1% | count 5; 3% | count 3; 2% | count 4; 2% |
| PART A: CHANGE | PART B: IMPACT TO BUDGET | ||||||
| EXPENDITURES | Increase | No Change | Decrease | Not Applicable | Major Impact | Moderate Impact | No Impact |
| Public safety needs | count 142; 75% | count 31; 16% | count 2; 1% | count 4; 2% | count 91; 48% | count 57; 30% | count 17; 9% |
| Infrastructure needs | count 143; 76% | count 28; 15% | count 5; 3% | count 3; 2% | count 113; 60% | count 46; 24% | count 7; 4% |
| Emergency management needs | count 73; 39% | count 88; 47% | count 3; 2% | count 10; 5% | count 23; 12% | count 77; 41% | count 60; 32% |
| Services for new development | count 94; 50% | count 66; 35% | count 1; .5% | count 15; 8% | count 40; 21% | count 75; 40% | count 46; 24% |
| Employee health benefits | count 149; 79% | count 19; 11% | count 5; 3% | count 5; 3% | count 99; 52% | count 56; 30% | count 10; 5% |
| LEOFF 1 medical and long-term care | count 62; 33% | count 50; 27% | count 5; 3% | count 55; 29% | count 35; 19% | count 44; 23% | count 70; 37% |
| Employee wages | count 155; 82% | count 18; 10% | count 4; 2% | count 2; 1% | count 81; 43% | count 75; 40% | count 11; 6% |
| Pensions (state pensions, deferred comps, etc.) | count 110; 58% | count 47; 25% | count 2; 1% | count 14; 7% | count 46; 24% | count 86; 46% | count 34; 18% |
| State/federal environmental mandates | count 131; 69% | count 29; 15% | count 1; 1% | count 11; 6% | count 86; 46% | count 55; 29% | count 18; 10% |
| State/federal non-environmental mandates | count 92; 49% | count 61; 32% | count 2; 1% | count 14; 7% | count 48; 25% | count 66; 35% | count 39; 21% |
| Liability coverage/city lawsuits | count 71; 38% | count 82; 43% | count 13; 7% | count 9; 5% | count 29; 15% | count 72; 38% | count 55; 29% |
| Public records requests | count 96; 51% | count 64; 34% | count 6; 3% | count 8; 4% | count 29; 15% | count 76; 40% | count 53; 28% |
| Inflation (motor fuel, energy costs, etc.) | count 169; 89% | count 3; 2% | count 2; 1% | count 2; 1% | count 107; 57% | count 57; 30% | count 1; 1% |
| Other | count 2; 1% | count 1; 1% | count 1; .1% | count 2; 1% | count 3; 2% | count 2; 1% | count 5; 3% |
During the last four years (since 2004), indicate the three (3) items that have had the most positive impact on your budget (Part A) and the three (3) items that have had the most negative impact on your budget (Part B). (189 responses)
Please note, a reduction in expenditures may constitute a positive impact on your budget.
| PART A | PART B | |
| Positive Impact | Negative Impact | |
| City sales tax base (commercial activity) | count 108; 57% | count 12; 6% |
| City property tax base (new
construction/ improvements) |
count 120; 64% | count 12; 6% |
| Other city tax base | count 49; 26% | count 5; 3% |
| Amount of federal aid to city | count 33; 18% | count 12; 6% |
| Amount of state aid to city | count 59; 31% | count 16; 9% |
| Reliance on user fees to pay for city services | count 45; 24% | count 10; 5% |
| Reliance on reserves | count 11; 6% | count 33; 18% |
| Public safety needs | count 8; 4% | count 62; 33% |
| Infrastructure needs | count 11; 6% | count 85; 45% |
| Emergency management needs | count 5; 3% | count 9; 5% |
| Services for new development | count 8; 4% | count 9; 5% |
| Employee health benefits | count 5; 3% | count 69; 37% |
| LEOFF 1 medical and long-term care | count 2; 1% | count 15; 8% |
| Employee wages | count 5; 3% | count 41; 22% |
| Pensions (state pensions, deferred comps, etc.) | count 1; 1% | count 17; 9% |
| State/federal environmental mandates | count 0; 0% | count 43; 23% |
| State/federal non-environmental mandates | count 0; 0% | count 17; 9% |
| Liability coverage/city lawsuits | count 2; 1% | count 16; 9% |
| Public records requests | count 3; 2% | count 11; 6% |
| Inflation (motor fuel, energy costs, etc.) | count 4; 2% | count 68; 36% |
| Other | count 6; 3% | count 9; 5% |
What has been the impact of the following on your overall city budget since four years ago (2004)? (189 responses)
1% limit on property tax levy
Major Impact (count 102; 54%)
Moderate Impact (count 56; 30%)
No Impact (count 20; 11%)
Local options for additional sales tax (3/10% public safety, etc.)
Major Impact (count 17; 9%)
Moderate Impact (count 52; 28%)
No Impact (count 99; 52%)
Federal preemption of local taxing authority
Major Impact (count 31; 16%)
Moderate Impact (count 60; 32%)
No Impact (count 69; 37%)
Other
Major Impact (count 2; 1%)
Moderate Impact (count 3; 2%)
No Impact (count 4; 2%)
What city service needs, if any, have not been met due to budget limitations?
Is there anything else we should know about your city’s budget impacts (positive
or
negative)?
For each of the following components of your city’s infrastructure, to what degree does each need replacement/enhancement to meet current demand? (186 responses)
| Major replacement/ enhancement needed | Some replacement/ enhancement needed | No replacement/ enhancement needed | |
| Water | count 61; 33% | count 84; 45% | count 29; 16% |
| Stormwater | count 74; 40% | count 70; 38% | count 29; 16% |
| Sewer | count 73; 39% | count 64; 34% | count 35; 19% |
| Streets/sidewalks/ bridges | count 122; 66% | count 54; 29% | count 5; 3% |
| Parks | count 39; 21% | count 112; 60% | count 27; 15% |
| City facilities (City hall, community centers, etc.) | count 90; 48% | count 78; 42% | count 11; 6% |
| Other capital facilities | count 19; 10% | count 20; 11% | count 3; 2% |
For each of the following components of your city’s infrastructure, to what degree does each need replacement/enhancement to meet new capacity demands? (186 responses)
| Major replacement/ enhancement needed | Some replacement/ enhancement needed | No replacement/ enhancement needed | |
| Water | count 59; 32% | count 79; 43% | count 31; 17% |
| Stormwater | count 63; 34% | count 73; 39% | count 31; 17% |
| Sewer | count 68; 37% | count 67; 36% | count 34; 18% |
| Streets/sidewalks/ bridges | count 106; 57% | count 58; 31% | count 15; 8% |
| Parks | count 52; 28% | count 96; 52% | count 27; 15% |
| City facilities (City hall, community centers, etc.) | count 75; 40% | count 79; 43% | count 21; 11% |
| Other capital facilities | count 14; 8% | count 16; 9% | count 4; 2% |
For each of the following areas of your city’s infrastructure, what is the impact of providing programs on your city budget (do not include capital impacts)? (186 responses)
| Major replacement/ enhancement needed | Some replacement/ enhancement needed | No replacement/ enhancement needed | |
| Water | count 64; 34% | count 71; 38% | count 40; 22% |
| Stormwater | count 56; 30% | count 76; 41% | count 37; 20% |
| Sewer | count 69; 37% | count 59; 32% | count 43; 23% |
| Streets/sidewalks/ bridges | count 108; 58% | count 58; 31% | count 12; 7% |
| Parks | count 58; 31% | count 97; 52% | count 21; 11% |
| City facilities (City hall, community centers, etc.) | count 65; 35% | count 92; 50% | count 18; 10% |
| Other capital facilities | count 7; 4% | count 17; 9% | count 7; 4% |
What are the biggest infrastructure challenges your city will be facing over the next four years?
Please indicate the degree to which implementing the following local strategies would help your city meet its budget needs. (176 responses)
| Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | No Effect | Helpful But Not Desirable | |
| Local Strategies | ||||
| Increase economic development activities | count 114; 64% | count 50; 28% | count 6; 3% | count 6; 3% |
| Enhance community-building/civic awareness efforts | count 36; 20% | count 111; 62% | count 25; 14% | count 2; 1% |
| Enter in public/private partnerships | count 56; 32% | count 87; 49% | count 21; 12% | count 11; 6% |
| Utilize voter approved tax increase | count 72; 41% | count 38; 21% | count 10; 6% | count 54; 30% |
| Increase reliance on user fees | count 35; 20% | count 93; 52% | count 10; 6% | count 37; 21% |
| Cut personnel/hiring freeze | count 11; 6% | count 31; 17% | count 30; 17% | count 102; 57% |
| Service cutbacks/eliminations | count 6; 3% | count 37; 21% | count 28; 16% | count 102; 57% |
| Enter into local contracts for service delivery | count 14; 8% | count 66; 37% | count 57; 32% | count 30; 17% |
Please indicate the degree to which the following state strategies would help your city meets its budget needs. (179 responses) Check one box for each potential strategy.
| Very Helpful | Somewhat Helpful | No Effect | Helpful But Not Desirable | |
| State Strategies | ||||
| Increase/provide state funding support for maintaining basic services | count 133; 74% | count 32; 18% | count 3; 2% | count 9; 5% |
| Increase state funding tools for infrastructure (capital projects) | count 160; 89% | count 16; 9% | count 1; .6% | count 2; 1% |
| Increase state funding for environmental protection/ restoration | count 97; 54% | count 59; 33% | count 12; 7% | count 8; 5% |
| New/ongoing programs for economic development | count 91; 51% | count 70; 39% | count 10; 6% | count 6; 3% |
| Increase state transportation funding distribution to cities | count 142; 79% | count 27; 15% | count 6; 3% | count 2; 1% |
| Initiate street utility user fee | count 71; 40% | count 44; 25% | count 18; 10% | count 42; 24% |
| Enhance city-county assistance account (ESSB 6050 distributions) | count 78; 44% | count 69; 39% | count 17; 10% | count 2; 1% |
| Provide state fiscal incentives for addressing statewide priorities (affordable housing, vehicle miles traveled reduction, etc.) | count 51; 29% | count 78; 44% | count 33; 18% | count 12; 7% |
| Provide state funding for municipal courts | count 73; 41% | count 50; 28% | count 46; 26% | count 5; 3% |
| Establish limitations on local government liability | count 77; 43% | count 68; 38% | count 24; 13% | count 5; 3% |
| Provide technical assistance for smaller jurisdictions (planning, fiscal management, etc.) | count 72; 41% | count 42; 24% | count 53; 30% | count 8; 5% |
Which of the following strategies for maintaining or improving services does your city currently use? (174 responses)
Performance measurements (count 69; 40%)
Public-private partnerships (count 85; 49%)
Interlocal agreements (count 168; 97%)
Taxing districts (local improvement district, park district, etc.) (count 47;
27%)
Other (please explain) (count 10; 6%)
In there any other state/local strategies that would be helpful?
Thank you for taking the survey.
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