Survey Says Residents’ Optimism is Growing

In a Pinellas County citizen research survey, results showed a growing sense of optimism, positive sentiment and trust in county government.

This is the third consecutive year that Pinellas County has conducted a statistically valid citizen survey, with the first year used to collect feedback on residents’ priorities in the midst of budget reductions.

Last year, as the Board of County Commissioners continued to move forward and plan for the future, residents were asked what they most value in the community. This year’s survey builds on that initiative as the commission continues to set the direction for the county and define the elements that citizens envision as enhancements to their overall quality of life.

“This survey is a valuable tool as we collect feedback from citizens to better gauge their values,” said County Administrator Bob LaSala. “This ties into our Quality of Pinellas Communities initiative which seeks to enhance our communities by making decisions based on the overall vision of what quality of life means to residents and our strategic planning process that we’re continually engaged in.”

To collect this year’s results, HCP & Associates conducted 200 telephone interviews in each of the county’s regions: north, mid, south and beaches. The calls were made from Feb. 4 to Feb. 24.

Responses indicated an increased level of optimism. A majority of residents expressed trust and confidence in Pinellas County government, a rate that exceeds national Gallup Poll responses. When asked about their expectations in 10 different areas of county services, half or more of those interviewed said Pinellas County is exceeding or meeting their expectations, with park maintenance receiving the highest scores, followed closely by law enforcement.

A majority of citizens said they would definitely recommend Pinellas County as a place to live, work, raise children and retire. Very few said they plan to move away within the next year. One in five of those interviewed said the quality of life improved in the last year, an increase from last year, and more than one-third expect the quality of life to improve in the next five years, which is also up from last year.

According to the results, challenges facing the county continue to include the economy, traffic/congestion and crime.

Once the telephone survey was completed, an online survey was posted on the Pinellas County website and remained open for five days, Feb. 25 to March 1. There were 707 respondents. The online survey is not considered statistically valid but results closely mirrored the results of the phone survey with a majority of residents recommending the county as a good place to live, work, raise children and retire, and the outlook on quality of life more positive than last year.

Close to seven in 10 respondents of the online survey reported having a great deal or fair amount of confidence in how the county handles issues. Park maintenance again topped satisfaction ratings in meeting expectation for specific services. Law enforcement and animal control received high ratings as well.

Those areas of greatest concern were mass transit options, vacant home upkeep and road/sidewalk repairs.

The surveys are posted online at www.pinellascounty.org/budget.

For more information on Pinellas County services and programs, visit www.pinellascounty.org, now with LiveChat, or create a shortcut to www.pinellascounty.org/mobile on any smartphone. Pinellas County government is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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