City of Huber Heights Public Opinion Survey Conducted

City of Huber Heights Public Opinion Survey Conducted by: Wright State University Center for Urban and Public Affairs

Methodology 600 citizens were surveyed via a telephone survey of Huber Heights residents ◦ 95 % confidence, +/- 4 % margin of error citywide At least 83 respondents from each ward Survey conducted from May 7, 2009 through June 11, 2009 77 question survey developed by CUPA in partnership with City staff.

Methodolgy Random digit dial (RDD) sampling method utilized ◦ Any household with landline telephone could participate Does exclude HHs that are cell phone only (estimated at 12%) Quota sampling method used to closely approximate sample with demographics of City (age, gender)

Geocoding Respondents were asked to provide their street and hundred block for the purpose of analyzing responses by Ward. 7 respondents were purged from the database because they did not live in the City limits. No identifying information was recorded pertaining to any individual respondent.

General Public Sentiment Overall satisfaction with the City as a place to live: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Beavercreek (2007): 94. 2 percent Yellow Springs (2005): 94. 2 percent Moraine (2008): 94. 0 percent Franklin (2007): 93. 6 percent Huber Heights (2009): 92. 3 percent Urbana (2007): 90. 5 percent Clayton (2005): 83. 6 percent Trotwood (2007): 74. 5 percent Dayton (2007): 71. 1 percent

General Public Sentiment Very high level of overall city satisfaction ◦ Regression: Satisfaction with specific service provision are primary indicators Demographic differences: ◦ Those 65 and older most likely to be “Very Satisfied” with the City ◦ Respondents in Ward Three were most likely to be satisfied (96. 1 percent)

Paramedic and Fire Services Very high levels of satisfaction with fire and EMS services in Huber Heights ◦ 98. 7 percent satisfied with fire and EMS 98. 0 percent are satisfied with response time Respondents who expressed dissatisfaction were asked why- most comments related to response time.

Police Services Most respondents (94. 5 percent) are satisfied with police services in Huber Heights. ◦ 95. 1 percent satisfied with response time ◦ 91. 2 percent satisfied with how often they see police on the street No differences among demographic groups, likely due to high percentage of satisfied respondents.

Waste Collection Most residents contract with Rumpke (259) or Waste Management (226) for waste collection services 62. 9 percent would support the city consolidating to one hauler. ◦ Most would prefer that their hauler be the sole provider 78. 3 percent satisfied with residential leaf collection

Yard Waste Disposal 45. 5 percent of respondents have used yard waste disposal site ◦ Almost all are satisfied (94. 5 percent) Respondents were asked about a seasonal pass to the waste disposal site ◦ 141 respondents said nothing ◦ 110 wouldn’t use the site ◦ Of the remaining respondents, $10 -20 was the average response

City Pool 15. 2 percent of respondents have used the city pool ◦ Younger respondents more likely to have used the pool, but also more likely to be dissatisfied When asked to rate the pool, more than half of respondents (51. 7 percent) could not respond ◦ Of those who did respond, 77. 9 percent were satisfied Despite non-use, 77. 3 percent believe the city should continue to own the pool

Parks and Recreation Respondents are generally satisfied with all attributes of parks in Huber Heights ◦ 90. 9 percent are satisfied with the appearance of city parks ◦ 90. 7 percent satisfied with the safety of city parks ◦ Older respondents more likely to be satisfied with appearance and safety of parks Most respondents are satisfied with YMCA programming ◦ 28. 7 percent unfamiliar with programming ◦ Of those who are familiar, 86. 0 percent are satisfied

Water Two thirds of respondents (68. 3 percent) are satisfied with the quality of drinking water ◦ Significant differences by Ward: 79. 6 percent satisfied in Ward Three, 73. 2 percent in Ward Four 58. 8 percent in Ward Two, 63. 4 percent in Ward One ◦ Respondents 25 -44 most likely to be dissatisfied 59. 4 percent of residents have a water softener ◦ Of those with a softener, 59. 3 percent would prefer their home softener.

Water, cont. 15. 2 percent of residents have contacted customer service regarding their water Of those, two thirds are satisfied with the service that they received

City Income Tax More than three-quarters of respondents (76. 4 percent) indicated that using RITA was easy or very easy 73. 7 percent are satisfied with the service Those who were dissatisfied discussed: ◦ Having trouble understanding forms ◦ Opposition to regional tax collection ◦ Difficulty having questions answered One in five respondents contacted city with questions ◦ 84. 5 percent were satisfied

Zoning More than two-thirds (69. 7 percent) are satisfied with zoning codes Views of zoning codes: ◦ Too strict: 20. 5 percent ◦ About right: 57. 8 percent ◦ Not strict enough: 21. 7 percent After the move to complaint-based enforcement, respondents were asked about changes ◦ 65. 9 percent perceived no change, 16. 1 percent perceived improvement

Neighborhood Variables 87. 2 percent satisfied with the appearance of their neighborhood ◦ No differences by Ward 83. 9 percent satisfied with housing quality in their neighborhood ◦ 89. 2 percent in Ward One ◦ 75. 9 percent in Ward Four

Neighborhood Variables

Service Cuts Respondents were asked a question pertaining to what services they would be willing to cut as a result of the reduction in the city income tax ◦ More than half chose not to answer Of those who did answer, the most common responses were: ◦ Leaf pick-up (41 respondents) ◦ Parks and Recreation ◦ Streets Views pertaining to education

Internet Access 84. 8 percent of respondents have residential Internet access. ◦ Most using DSL / cable ◦ 8. 3 percent with dial-up 42. 9 percent have visited the City’s website ◦ Of those, 85. 1 percent found it easy to navigate ◦ 88. 7 percent found information useful

Contact with City Employees 29. 4 percent of respondents have had contact with a City employee in the past year Almost all were satisfied with that contact and felt that the employee treated them with respect.

Volunteerism 13. 7 percent of respondents have volunteered with the City in the past 38. 2 percent (219 respondents) are interested in volunteering in the future ◦ 50. 0 percent of those 18 -24 ◦ 50. 5 percent of those 25 -34 Volunteer opportunities involving: ◦ Children ◦ Parks and recreation, including clean-up

Summary Most residents are satisfied with the City. Respondents provided, through open-ended comments, numerous specific suggestions for improvements that they would like to see. Most respondents are satisfied with RITA Strong levels of satisfaction with emergency services, police, parks and recreation, contact with city employees.

Opportunities Internet Volunteer opportunities Education of residents Specific neighborhood problems more prevalent in some Wards than others General positive views of government ◦ 73. 3 percent believe government pays attention ◦ 84. 2 percent believe government does the right thing ◦ Less than half believes government wastes money

Questions? For more information, please contact: David Jones Survey Research Director Wright State University, Center for Urban and Public Affairs (937) 775 -2941 David. jones@wright. edu