Survey Says: Locals Love Lafayette - But There's Still Work To Be Done

Civic leaders in our three communities - Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda - are surveying residents to find out what's going well, and maybe not so well, within their respective boundaries.

Moraga and Orinda are still conducting their surveys but in Lafayette the results are in, with most residents saying life there is great - although maybe things would be just a bit better if Sacramento wasn't able to raid the city's coffers at will.

"We are heartened to see that the vast majority of Lafayette residents are satisfied with the quality of life in our community..." civic officials said in a post presented alongside the survey results.  "...it is helpful to know that our community by and large shares concerns regarding the shrinking portion of local tax dollars that stay in Lafayette and our ability to maintain local control and independence from Sacramento."

Of the residents surveyed in Lafayette, a whopping 98 percent said they were satisfied with the quality of life in town while 96 percent said they were "very or somewhat concerned" about the availability of city services.

Also telling was the percentage of local surveyed who said they are concerned about the portion of their tax dollar that ultimately stays in Lafayette (96 percent) and those who say they are "very or somewhat concerned" by the city's ability to control its own local funding (96 percent).

Former Mayor Don Tatzin left no doubt about his feelings when he called Sacramento's confiscation of $1.6 million in redevelopment funds and property tax revenue Lafayette had earmarked for its own use "theft."

"If someone loses their income because of difficult times, that doesn't mean he can go to his neighbors and take their money," Tatzin said at the time.  "Essentially, that's what the state is doing."

The sting over the loss of those assets is still smarting in Lafayette, apparently, and there's an effort underway to make sure it doesn't happen again.  City leaders, Tatzin among them, are considering adoption of a city charter they say would give the community more autonomy and protection from last minute "seizures" of much-needed city assets by the state.

Charter status, and a proposed property transfer tax, would help keep Lafayette both solvent and independent, civic leaders say.

"These measures would provide stable local funding for general municipal projects and services in Lafayette such as fixing potholes, repairing streets and roads, enhancing police patrols, keeping the Lafayette Library and Learning Center open and protecting services for seniors, youth and children," civic leaders wrote.

The City Council will meet to further review the results of the survey on July 12 at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

By the Numbers:

• Percentage of residents who feel street repair is a priority - 93 percent
• Percentage who feel protection of open space is a priority - 90 percent
• Percentage who want enhanced neighborhood policing     - 79 percent
• Percentage who want the library open longer                       - 78 percent
• Percentage who want more recreation facilities                   - 69 percent