Citizen Opinion Survey

Citizen Opinion Survey EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Conducted for Sarasota County Dr. Susan A. MacManus Department of Government and International Affairs University of South Florida Tampa, Florida

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE 2017 SARASOTA COUNTY CITIZEN OPINION SURVEY The 2017 Citizen Opinion Survey is Sarasota County s 26th citizen satisfaction survey. Now, use of such surveys is widespread. They are used to solicit citizens views on the need for, efficiency, and effectiveness of a wide array of public services and policies. They are also a good gauge of the responsiveness of public officials to citizen inquiries and the transparency of the policy-making process. The 2017 public opinion poll, a telephone survey of a random sample of 800 Sarasota County residents 18 years of age and older, was conducted from May 8-May 28, 2017 by Susan Schuler & Associates, Inc. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 3.5% at the 95% confidence level. The average time to complete the 2017 survey was 9.3 minutes. The John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government (IOG) at the University of South Florida administered the annual survey project. Sarasota County contracted with IOG to select a principal investigator (Dr. Susan A. MacManus) and a telephone marketing firm (Susan Schuler & Associates, Inc.). I. THE 2017 SURVEY: TREND ANALYSIS IMPACTS OF POPULATION GROWTH; PRIORITIZING INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING Focus Sarasota County s population has been growing for the past few years. Projections are that it will continue to grow. Consequently, a major focus of the 2017 survey is to determine the degree to which continued population growth is impacting citizen perceptions of: (1) The most important issues facing the County. (2) Quality of life issue priorities for the County to work on. (3) What should be the County s top service and budget priorities. Another focus of the 2017 is to discern what approach Sarasota County should take now on infrastructure spending to better position itself when the next economic downturn occurs.

Sample Representativeness Overall, the sample is representative of the County s gender, race/ethnicity, and age composition, as well as the geographical residency location of its citizens. It is over-representative of homeowners, those with some college education, and those with a child under 18 living in their home. Repeat Questions for Trend Analysis: New Infrastructure Question The 2017 survey, like the 2015 and 2016 surveys, focuses on the impacts of continued economic and population growth on citizen assessments and priorities. To capture shifts in opinion, it is important to ask the same questions to maximize historical comparability. Consequently, all but one of the questions in this year s survey is a repeat question. The new question probes citizen preferences related to infrastructure spending. The 2017 Citizen Opinion Survey examines citizen assessments of citizen opinions regarding: The quality of life in Sarasota County today. The most important issue facing the County today. Factors putting the greatest stress on a citizen s household finances. The single biggest threat to Sarasota County s economy. The single biggest thing that can contribute to County s economic growth. Relative trust in federal, state, and County leaders to do what is right for Sarasota County residents. Satisfaction with the services provided by Sarasota County government. The importance of County involvement in addressing quality-of-life issues affordable workplace housing, good paying jobs, the environment (air and water), public safety, arts & cultural diversity, parks & recreation, efficient energy consumption, effective growth management, and transportation. Whether a citizen contacted a County office or official over the past year and, if so, the reason for the contact and the responsiveness of County office and officials. The most important thing officials should do now to better prepare for any future downturn in the economy. NEW (infrastructure focus) What approach the County should use when drawing up the annual County budget. Whether the County s spending priorities are about right. The relative effectiveness of County spending on things important to individual citizens.

II. GENERAL CHANGE PATTERNS OBSERVED IN 2017 SURVEY As expected, the County s continued population and economic growth over the past year resulted in some shifts in citizen opinions, although many of the patterns observed in 2017 were similar to those that emerged in the 2016 survey. (Specific percentages are reported later in the Summary as each question is discussed.) Ninety-seven percent of the respondents rate the quality of life in Sarasota County as good or excellent same as in 2016. Major change: good ratings up; excellent ratings down. For third year in a row, population growth/new development is the most-cited important issue facing the County. Major changes: taxes replaced economy/jobs as second most-cited. General household-related finances again tops the list of fiscal stressors, continuing a pattern seen since 2015. Change: slight increase in percent experiencing at least some fiscal stress now over two-thirds. Sharp increase in mentions of growth-related threats to the County s economy, decline in responses reflecting lingering economic anxieties. Biggest increases are in mentions of traffic congestion and environmental deterioration as economic threats. Continued shift in citizen prescriptions for how best to grow Sarasota County s economy toward business-related methods (ex. manufacturing, transportation, and commercial development), away from more tourism-related methods favored in 2015. Slight increase in support for worker-related growth agents (health and wellness, workforce housing). Continued pattern of higher levels of trust in Sarasota County government leaders to do the right thing for residents than in federal or state leaders. Overall, trust levels increased most for federal and state leaders marking first time in years a majority gives leaders at all levels positive marks. Significant shift in order of top quality-of-life priorities for County officials to work on. Effective growth management and environmental quality replaced 2016 top priorities availability of good paying jobs and public safety. Overall, less consensus in 2017 and less urgency ( most important ratings) of issue resolution the reverse of 2016 survey results. Continued decline (since 2012) in percent of respondents contacting a County office or official and continued increase in more positive reasons for contacting (especially to get information ). Pattern consistent with research showing contacting rates higher where discontent levels are higher (service satisfaction and trust in government levels are high in Sarasota County). NEW Citizen preferences for how County should plan for a future downturn in the economy

mixed. Strongest support for spending on infrastructure (new or existing in need of repair) now rather than investing via a Rainy Day fund. Increase in opposition to budget approaches that increase revenues or expand services; more support for keeping property taxes and services the same; drop in support for raising property taxes slightly to support a needed services. Continued increase in percent of respondents judging County s spending priorities to be about right third year in a row a majority has broadly agreed with County s spending. Continued increase in percent of respondents citing the County s under-spending on certain things as the reason for reprioritizing the budget; third year in a row that more cite under- than over-spending. Biggest increase in concerns about under-spending on education/schools; Shift in rank order of under-spending creating jobs/business is first, while roads slipped to second. Continued increase in percent citing development/business as an area where most overspending occurs. Less consensus about budgetary resource allocation priorities in 2017 than 2016. Majority gives 10 (most important ) ratings to just one of 11 expenditure categories public transportation/traffic congestion. Rank ordering shifted public transportation/traffic congestion rose from second to first, health care from first to second. Sharpest declines in most important ratings for homelessness, public safety, and health care. III. OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE: SARASOTA COUNTY Overall Quality Ratings Remain High: Drop in Excellent Ratings; Rise in Good Ratings The 2017 Citizen Opinion Survey asks: How would you rate the overall quality of life in Sarasota County? Ninety-seven percent rate it as either excellent (47%) or good (50%) the same as in 2016. Four percent judge the quality of life somewhat negatively 3% as fair, less than 1% as poor. The difference is that in 2017, the percent describing it as good rose (38% to 50%), while the excellent ratings fell (59% to 47%). The percentage that regard the quality of life as only fair or poor stayed roughly constant. Strong Link between Quality of Life Ratings and Service Satisfaction Levels The link between quality of life rankings and ratings of County services is strong. Ninety-nine percent of those that are very satisfied with County services rate the quality of life in Sarasota County as either excellent or good. Conversely, among respondents that are very dissatisfied with County services, 33% rate the quality of life as just fair or poor down from 50% in 2016.

The quality of life ratings vary significantly by residential status and household income, with permanent residents and more affluent residents rating the quality-of-life higher. IV. THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING SARASOTA COUNTY TODAY Population Growth/New Development Top Issue for Fourth Year in a Row The annual Citizen Opinion Surveys have always included an open-ended question allowing respondents to identify the most important issue facing Sarasota County today. The top issues have changed over the years, usually in sync with the status of the economy and rate of growth. The economy/jobs ranked highest in the 2008 to 2013 surveys. But as the economy began to improve, population growth/new development resurfaced as the top issue a pattern that continued in 2017. In 2017, 23% of the survey respondents identify population growth/new development as the County s most important issue, followed by taxes (8%), homelessness (5%), crime (5%), the economy/jobs (5%), water (4%), health care (4%) and diversity (4%). Over half (58%) of the interviewees cite one of these eight issues. Slight Changes in Top Issues Reflect an Improving Economy There were only minor shifts between 2016 and 2017 in the percent of respondents citing specific issues. The biggest changes were: (1) an increase in taxes as the most important issue (from 5% to 8%), elevating it to the second most-cited, and (2) declines in the proportion citing the economy/jobs (7% to 5%) and traffic/transportation (6% to 3%). Indicative of the continued improving economy, there was also a slight uptick in the there are no serious issues responses (13% to 15%). The impact of an improving economy is also reflected in the rise of taxes as a big issue (reflects rising property values). V. GREATEST FISCAL STRESS ON SARASOTA COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS Fiscal stress affects a citizen s quality of life (productivity, personal relationships, and health). It also impacts a resident s ability to pay taxes and service fees and their spending priorities

General Household Expenses Consistently Top Fiscal Stressor Results of the 2017 survey show that general household-related finances (15%), taxes (property 10% and general 7%), health care costs (8%), and personal debt (5%) are putting the greatest stress on Sarasota County households. They account for 45% of all survey responses. Home insurance, elder care, and child-rearing costs account for another 12%. General household finance-related stress has topped the list of stressors the past three years (2015-2017). The rank order of the four most cited stress-inducing factors (household finances, property taxes, taxes in general, health care) changed very little between 2016 and 2017. The biggest changes have been a drop in the percent citing general household finances (-4%) and a rise in the percent citing health care costs (+3%), elder care costs (+2%), and child-raising costs (+2%). Two-Thirds Still Feeling Some Fiscal Stress Perhaps the most significant finding is that over two-thirds of the respondents acknowledge their household is still experiencing some fiscal stress even as the economy continues to improve a pattern economists attribute to flat inflation-adjusted disposable income. (Just 31% acknowledge they are not experiencing any stress, down from 34% in 2016.) Responses differ most often by age, employment status, and household income. VI. THE ECONOMY: SHIFTS IN PERCEIVED THREATS AND PRESCRIPTIONS FOR GROWTH The view of the economy down at the grassroots (individual) level is often different than that reported for a community at-large. This pattern is evident in the 2017 Citizen Opinion Survey. To gain more insights into the grassroots-level views, the 2017 survey asks two very pointed questions: (1) What is the single biggest threat to Sarasota County s economy? and (2) What is the single biggest thing that can be done to boost the County s economy? Growth-Related Threats to the Economy Are Now Seen as Biggest The three most growth-related threats (traffic congestion 33%, property tax rates 15%, and environmental deterioration 7%) account for over half (55%) of the responses, while those reflecting lingering economic anxieties (lack of industry and jobs 22%, people and industry migrating out of the County 9%, government s ability to eliminate waste and inefficiencies 9%) make up 40% of the responses.

The biggest change from last year s survey was a sharp increase in mentions of growth-related threats from 44% to 55%, the biggest increases being traffic congestion (+5%) and environmental deterioration (+4%). The steepest decline was in the percent identifying the lack of industry and jobs as the biggest threat (-4%). Business-Related Prescriptions Top Tourism-Related Preferences for Growing Economy The 2017 survey results continue to show citizens prescriptions for how to improve the County s economy are more business- than tourism-related the same pattern as in 2016. (Tourism-related preferences were tops in the 2015 survey). In 2017, almost half (49%) of the respondents cite business-related stimulants: manufacturing (23%), transportation (12%), commercial development (9%), retail (3%), or residential construction (2%). Another 27% cites tourism ecotourism (12%), arts and culture (10%), or sports tourism (5%). Others cite more worker-oriented approaches health and wellness (12%) and workforce housing (10%). The single biggest increase between 2016 and 2017 was in calls for more manufacturing (+5%). There were also slight increases in the desire to place more emphasis on ecotourism (+2%) and arts and culture (+2%), but fewer calls for commercial development (-3%), sports tourism (-3%), transportation (-2%), or residential construction (2%). Slight Increase in Calls for Worker-Related Stimulants to Economic Growth Overall, from 2016 to 2017 there was a slight increase in support for worker-related growth agents (health and wellness, workforce housing) 20% to 22%. There was a similar drop in businessrelated recommendations (manufacturing, transportation, commercial development, retail, and residential construction) 51% to 49%. But there was no change in support levels for tourism-related preferences (ecotourism, arts and culture, and sports tourism) 27% in both 2016 and 2017. Responses to these economic questions most often vary by household income, home ownership, employment status, child under 18 at home, and length of residency in the County.

VII. TRUST IN GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND OVERALL SERVICE SATISFACTION Building and maintaining trust in government is one of the most important, and difficult, tasks of governance. Lack of trust can negatively affect the social and economic health of a community and impede leaders ability to govern well. To gauge the degree to which trust in Sarasota County leaders might differ from those at the state or federal government, respondents to the 2015 survey were asked: How much of the time do you think you can trust [federal/state/sarasota County] government leaders to do what is right for Sarasota County residents almost always, most of the time, only some of the time, or never? County Leaders Trusted Most As in previous surveys, respondents give higher marks to Sarasota County government leaders than to either state or federal government leaders. Specifically, a majority (59%) says they trust County officials to do the right thing almost always or most of the time. Comparable figures for federal and state leaders are slightly lower federal officials (51%) and state leaders (53%). Public s Trust Goes Up for Leaders at All Levels Federal, State, County For three successive years (beginning in 2015), a majority of the citizens surveyed has said they trust Sarasota County leaders to do the right thing for County residents. But 2017 marks the first time in years that a majority of respondents give leaders at all levels positive marks. Trust in state leaders increased 8%, in federal leaders 5%, but was little changed for Sarasota County leaders (-1%). Strong Link between Service Satisfaction and Trust in Local Leaders The 2017 survey results show that 94% of the respondents are either very (40%) or somewhat (54%) satisfied with County services overall and that there is a strong link between trust and service satisfaction ratings. Eighty-three percent of those who are very satisfied with County services trust County leaders almost always or most of the time. In contrast, 67% of those who are very dissatisfied with County services never trust County leaders to do what is right for County residents The greatest fluctuations have been in the relative proportions of specific ratings, namely the very and somewhat satisfied responses. In 2016, very satisfied responses went up, and somewhat satisfied ratings declined. The reverse is true in 2017. Somewhat satisfied responses increased (+2%), while very satisfied responses declined (-3%). Trust in government leader assessments and overall County service satisfaction vary most by household income and employment status.

VIII. CITIZEN RATINGS: TOP SERVICE PRIORITIES The 2017 Sarasota County Citizen Opinion Survey, like those since 2009, asks respondents to rank how important it is for the County to work on specific quality-of-life issues. The value of such questions is that they give citizens a voice in County policy choices that affect their lives which, in turn, bolsters their trust in government. For local officials, the results show how much issue consensus there is among their constituents and enables them to detect significant shifts in citizens policy priorities. Top Service Priorities: Growth Management and Environmental Quality (Air, Water) In 2017, respondents are most in agreement that effective growth management (54%) and environmental quality air and water (50%) should receive the highest level of County effort, followed by efficient energy consumption (46%), helping secure good-paying jobs (45%), increasing the availability of affordable workforce housing (43%), public safety (41%), transportation (36%), arts and cultural diversity (30%), and parks and recreation (25%). Change in Priorities in 2017 Survey; Less Consensus There was a significant shift in the order of the top-ranked priority program areas in 2017. From 2009-2016, the most highly-ranked quality of life issues for the County to work on were availability of good paying jobs and public safety. But in 2017, growth management and environmental quality top the list. Overall, in this year s citizen survey there is considerably less consensus among respondents as to the urgency of issue resolution than in previous years. Fewer citizens give most important ( 10 ) ratings to any issue. And, in 2017, the share of 10 (most important) ratings is lower for every issue in 2017 the exact reverse of 2016. The sharpest declines are in the percent giving most important ratings to good paying jobs (-31%), transportation (-25%), public safety (-24%), and workforce housing (-19%). An improving economy may be one explanation for the decline in the urgency of issue resolution, particularly of employment-related issues (e.g., jobs; workforce housing). Quality of life-related issue priority ratings most often vary statistically by income, home ownership, education, and the presence of a child under 18 in a home. Persons with less education, lower incomes, non-homeowners, and with a minor child living at home generally judge each issue as more important more urgent than other respondents

IX. CITIZEN INTERACTION WITH COUNTY OFFICES AND OFFICIALS An examination of how citizens view the responsiveness of County officials when they are contacted is a critical element of citizen satisfaction surveys. Research shows that to gauge officials responsiveness it is important to examine a citizen s total contacting experience reason for contacting and evaluation of how the contactor was treated. Direct Contacting Rate Continues to Fall Ten percent of the 2017 Sarasota County Citizen Opinion Survey respondents affirm they have contacted a county office or official to complain about something or to get information over the past year. The contacting rate has been steadily declining since 2012. It fell from 29% in 2012 to 10% in 2016. One plausible reason is that citizen satisfaction levels with Sarasota County services overall are relatively high, as are levels of trust in County officials. (Contacting rates are highest when dissatisfaction levels are highest.) Reasons for Contacting More Positive Than Negative; To Get Information Top Reason The two most common reasons for contacting a Sarasota County office or official in 2017 are to get information (65%) and ask for help (18%) more positive motives than the two less frequently cited to report something (9%) or voice a concern (5%). The proportion of citizens contacting the County to get information has steadily increased from 28% in 2013 to 58% in 2016 to 65% in 2017. The percent asking for help has been more stable, from 17% in 2016 to 18% in 2017. In contrast, fewer respondents report contacting to voice a concern (13% to 5%). The percent saying the purpose of their contact was to report something changed very little (8% to 9%). There was also little change in those contacting the County for a multiplicity of reasons (5% to 4%). County Officials Responsiveness Ratings Very High and Rising A question designed to measure the entire journey taken by citizen contactors asked them whether, in their interactions with the County, they were treated with respect, given correct information, and helped in a timely fashion. County officials receive very high marks from citizen contactors; 99% say they were treated with respect, 95% were given correct information, and 93% received help in a timely manner. All three responsiveness ratings improved significantly between 2016 and 2017. Given correct information ratings improved the most (+9%), followed by timeliness (+6%) and respect (+5%) ratings. All three ratings are the highest in the history of the survey in these categories. Contacting rates differed most significantly by business owner status and race/ethnicity.

X. CITIZEN RATINGS: COUNTY S BUDGET & SPENDING PRIORITIES The most effective budgeting processes are inclusive, transparent, and efficient. They build trust through involvement and buy-in from citizens, department heads, and elected officials. The annual Sarasota County Citizen Opinion surveys have long asked respondents a series of questions designed to solicit their opinions about the budget process as well as their spending priorities. Long-range planning is another key element of good budgeting. The 2017 survey is the first to ask citizens their preferences as to how the County should plan for any future downturn in the economy. Planning for a Future Economic Downturn: Spend on Infrastructure Now The 2017 survey is the first to ask citizens their preferences as to how the County should plan for any future downturn in the economy. The results are mixed but nearly two-thirds prefer current spending on infrastructure, either on new projects needed to meet growth needs (36%) or to repair deteriorating infrastructure (29%), rather than saving more money in a rainy day fund (33%) Preferred Budget Approach: Majority Opposed to any Revenue Increase or Service Expansion. With regard to their preference for the approach the County should use in drawing up its annual County budget, over three-fourths either favor keeping property taxes and services the same (42%) or creating a new revenue source and earmarking it to a specific service or project (34%). Another 19% want to cut property taxes and reduce less vital services. Just 4% want to raise property taxes slightly to improve needed services. Overall, 61% are opposed to any revenue increase or service expansion, while 38% are open to each. Preferred Budget Approach: Support for Status Quo Increases There are two significant changes since last year s survey. Specifically, more now support keeping property taxes and services the same (+6%) and fewer (-5%) favor raising property taxes slightly to improve needed services. Changes in support levels for both cutting taxes/services (- 1%) and creating a new earmarked revenue source (+1%) were minimal. Overall, opposition to revenue and spending increases went up in 2017 (56% to 61%) attributable in part to growing concerns about property tax increases accompanying rising property values reflective of an improving economy. County Spending Priorities: Majority Says About Right The 2017 survey marks the third year in a row that a majority of the respondents (57%) has judged the County s spending priorities to be about right. Twenty-nine percent believe the County needs to reprioritize its spending, while 14% did not provide an answer.

The sharpest increase (+6%) was in the proportion of those believing the County s spending priorities are about right (51% to 57%). The percentage saying the County needs to reprioritize its budget declined slightly (-2%) and there were fewer who expressed no opinion in 2017 (-4%). Under-Spending Biggest Reason to Reprioritize Spending; Escalating Concern Respondents wanting the County to reprioritize its budget were asked: Is the problem that the County spends too much on certain things or doesn t spend enough on certain things or both? Seven-in-ten (71%) cited under-spending while just 12% pointed to over-spending on certain things. Another 17% said both. Concerns about under-spending are escalating, while those about over-spending are declining. The percent saying that the County does not spend enough on certain things jumped 26% from 45% in 2016 to 71% in 2017. Conversely, fewer respondents criticize the County for spending too much on certain things (down 5% since last year). The proportion citing both under- and over-spending as problems continued its slight downward trend (-2%). Closer Look at Where Over-Spending : Development/Business Tops List Over 70% of the respondents pointing to over-spending cite just four general spending categories: development and business (33%), County officials, pay, benefits (23%), parks, art, and beautification (9%), and low priorities, waste (6%). Twenty percent of those upset about too much spending did not identify a specific category. The biggest change over the past four years has been the growing proportion of respondents citing development/business as the spending category on which the County spends too much. From 2016 to 2017 alone, the development/business citation rate almost doubled (16% to 33%). During that same period, there was an increase in citations of County personnel costs (+4%), but fewer mentions of parks, art, and beautification (-11%) or low priorities/waste (-6%) as examples of excessive County spending. Closer Look at Where Under-Spending : Less Consensus; Biggest Increase Schools/Education There is less consensus about what too little County money is spent on. The three most mentioned spending categories creating jobs/business (12%), roads and transportation (11%), and schools/education (10%) make up a third of responses (33%). Adding affordable housing (8%), growth management (8%), and the homeless (8%), the top six categories account for over half of responses among those who believe the County spends too little on certain things (57%). Although the rank order of underfunded programs/services shifted between 2016 and 2017 job creation/business inched up to first, roads slipped to second the percent citing each fell (-5% business; -8% roads.) The greatest change was the increase in mentions of underfunding for schools/education. It reemerged as one of the three most commonly cited under-spending categories in 2017 after being absent from the list entirely in 2016.

Highest Priority Budget Items: Public Transportation/Traffic Congestion; Health Care There is far less consensus about resource allocation in 2017 than in 2016. When asked for their input as to how County officials should allocate budgetary resources, over half of the 2017 survey respondents gave 10 (most important) ratings to just one expenditure category public transportation/traffic congestion (54%) followed by health care (47%), economic development (43%), existing infrastructure (36%), public safety (36%), water and drainage (34%), homelessness (32%), and road resurfacing (29%). Consistent with other surveys of public service/problem rankings, fewer respondents identify leisure-related budget items as top priority expenditure items parks and preserves (16%), beaches (14%), and libraries (13%). Shifts in Resource Allocation Preferences: Less Consensus; Urgency Declines In 2017, the rank ordering of citizens most important budget priorities shifted somewhat from those reported in last year s survey. Public transportation/traffic congestion rose from second to first, while health care slipped from first to second. Top priority ( 10 ) support levels fell for every spending category except existing infrastructure (+4%). The sharpest declines were in 10 ratings for homelessness (-26%), public safety (-25%), and health care (-24%). It appears that as the economy has recovered, fewer regard County spending on these services/programs as urgent. Responses to these budget-related questions vary most significantly by household income, employment status, home ownership status, education, and whether there a minor child at home

Citizen Opinion Survey EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SARASOTA COUNTY 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34236 941-861-5000 www.scgov.net Visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.