The city asked and residents responded: They want more shopping, restaurants, entertainment, recreation, employment and health care in the city.
The results weren’t too surprising to officials who said the community assessment survey reflected what they’ve been hearing in the community for some time.
“The survey served it’s purpose for what we needed it to do,” City Administrator Alan Clark said.
That purpose was to identify needs and develop a plan to address those needs for the future. Additionally, the survey allowed they city to solicit information pertaining to initiative support.
In all, about 170 people took the assessment that was presented to the public on the city’s Web site and in an insert in residents’ April 1 utility bill statements.
And while it was possible for a person to take the survey more than once, Clark said the results are credible and useful.
“This still was a good survey,” he said.

WHAT YOU SAID

An overwhelming number of respondents agreed that more is better. Sixty-four percent of survey takers indicated that shopping and restaurant availability is a “major issue” as well as family entertainment, recreational events and parks, and youth programs.
Another 39 percent said employment opportunity in the city is “not adequate” while an additional 35 percent said it was “somewhat adequate”.
Health care was split almost evenly— 26 percent said it’s “not adequate” and 33 percent said it’s “somewhat adequate”. Another 24 percent said they didn’t know or had no opinion and only 17 percent said health care services are “adequate” in the community.
Not all areas are unsatisfactory, though. Respondents indicated that education in both secondary and post-secondary sectors is meeting the needs of the public. Additionally, residents said they’re pleased with the services the city offers.

WHAT YOU’LL SUPPORT

Asked if they’d support expansion of parks, playgrounds and sporting areas, 62 percent of respondents said yes, while only 10 percent gave the idea a thumbs down. After all, 107 of the 168 persons who rated family oriented entertainment and facilities said the matter is a “major issue” in the city.
Capital improvements also received favor, with a majority of respondents indicating they’d support street, gutter and storm water drainage betterment as well as sanitary sewer upgrades.
Others said they’re OK with development of an aquatic facility, outdoor trails, a fishing pond and amphitheater. And 117 of 165 people who answered if they’d support creation of a household electronics recycling center said yes.

 WHAT’S NEXT

The city will use the information from the survey to help in a master plan creation/update that will address how the needs will be solved.