Ninety-seven per cent of citizens say Red Deer’s quality of life is good to very good, according to the 2013 Ipsos Reid Citizen Satisfaction Survey.
“This survey is just one tool we use to check the pulse of the community and find out what is top of mind for Red Deerians,” said City Manager Craig Curtis. “The information Ipsos collects gives us a sense as to how satisfied people are with City services, programs and initiatives as we establish our budgets and look to 2014 and beyond.”
The majority of citizens stated that growth and development in the City, employment and job opportunities, all contributed to their quality of life.
“Quality of life includes a range of measures, but I love hearing that people think Red Deer is friendly and courteous, clean, beautiful and a great place to live,” said Mayor Morris Flewwelling. “I am proud to call Red Deer home, and it’s nice to be reminded that others share my love of this community.”
When asked about all the programs and services received from the City, 83% of Red Deerians felt they received good value for their tax dollar.
City services are used by residents on a daily basis, and 54% of Red Deerians would support increasing taxes to enhance or maintain services. Thirty per cent favoured cutting services to maintain or reduce taxes.
Transportation was still top of mind this year, with 41% of Red Deerians once again reporting it was the most important issue facing the community. Fifty four per cent feel that the City is doing a very good or somewhat good job of managing our road infrastructure; however, this is a decrease of 7% from 2012.
“It is clear that road infrastructure is a priority for residents,” said Curtis. “We anticipated this and council approved $11.8 million in the 2013 capital budget for road improvements from frost boil repairs to crown paving. This is the largest capital budget for road maintenance in the City’s history and we believe it will make a difference.”
In terms of other infrastructure, respondents feel the City is doing a very good or somewhat good job of managing our recreation facilities (92%); water (89%) and wastewater (86%) treatment facilities; and our transit system (74%).
From May 29 to June 9 the Citizen Satisfaction Survey was administered by Ipsos Reid. It was conducted by telephone to a randomly selected sample of 300 residents aged 18 years or older. This is the eighth consecutive year the City participated in the survey.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
