Hays City Services Survey 2002 By Brett Zollinger, Ph.D. University Center for Survey Research Fort Hays State University Hays, Kansas 67601

Survey Objectives Determine citizens’ evaluation of City services and City government and compare to responses in previous surveys where trend data are available Determine perceived need for City economic development activity Determine shopping behavior in communities other than Hays

Methods Telephone survey of Hays residents Conducted April 4 to April 24, 2002 Randomly generated phone numbers in sample (includes unlisted numbers) 395 adult respondents (Margin of error = +/-5%) Cooperation rate = 74%

Rating Fire Protection, Law Enforcement, Animal Control and Storm Water Drainage: 1996, 1999, 2002

Rating Parks, Street Lighting, Airport, and Road Maintenance: 1996, 1999, 2002

Rating Water & Sewer Services, Trash Pickup, Snow Removal, and Intersection Traffic: 1996, 1999, 2002

Condition of Neighborhood Streets

Condition of Major Streets

Perceived Improvement Needs: 1999, 2002 *The 1999 survey item rating neighborhood swimming pools was replaced in 2002 with an item rating the Aquatic Park.

Perceived Improvement Needs: 1999, 2002 (cont.)

Evaluation of City Government’s Overall Operation: 1996, 1999, 2002

Efficacy of City Property Tax: 1995, 1996, 1999 The present city property tax for an $80,000 home is about $90 per month. The revenue from this tax funds the police and fire departments, park and street maintenance, building inspection services, the public library, and the airport. Given the taxes you pay for city services, do you feel you are:

Have Accessed the City’s Website

Feel Safe Walking Alone at Night in Hays (Perceived Safety)

Worry About Loss to Fire (All Respondents)

Often or Sometimes Worry About Loss from Fire by Area of Hays

City Should Build a Fire Station Closer to Neighborhood (All Respondents)

Agree that City Should Build a Fire Station Closer to Neighborhood by Area of Hays

Worry About Loss to Flooding (All Respondents)

Often or Sometimes Worry About Loss from Flooding by Area of Hays

City Should Spend More on Storm Water Control in Neighborhood (All Respondents)

Agree that City Should Spend More on Flood Water Control in Neighborhood by Area of Hays

Opinions on Possible Hays City Business Development Efforts

City Should Spend Resources on Business Development & Recruitment

Importance Rating of Possible City Business Development Activities

Non-local Shopping Behavior and Preferences (Leakages)

Frequency of Shopping Other Communities

Purchasing Products/Services Outside of Hays: 1999 (N=155 Total Instances of Purchasing Mentioned)

Purchasing Products/Services Outside of Hays: 2002 (N=149 Total Instances of Purchasing Mentioned)

Purchasing Services Outside of Hays: 2002 only (N= 73 Total Instances of Purchasing Services Outside of Hays)

Summary of Findings Overall, satisfaction with city services and facilities tends to be high and similar to satisfaction levels found in previous studies. The areas most consistently showing improved ratings are: –Trash collection –Parks –Fire protection Areas of least satisfaction are the same as in 1999: –Road maintenance –Intersection traffic –Shelter and picnic facilities in parks –Playground equipment –Tennis courts –Basketball courts

Summary of Findings (continued) Positive ratings of neighborhood streets have declined since 1999, but positive ratings for major streets have increased since Rating of the overall performance of city government has declined. Perceived efficacy of City property tax is high but slightly lower than in past years.

Summary of Findings (continued) Perceived personal safety in Hays is high and unchanged since % of all respondents often or sometimes worry about losses due to fire; this is highest in the southeast (49%) and lowest in the northeast (40%). 36% of all respondents think the city should build another fire station; this is highest in the southeast (44%) and lowest in the southwest (22%). 33% of all respondents often or sometimes worry about losses due to flooding; this is highest in the southwest (36%) and lowest in the northeast (25%). 38% of all respondents think the city should spend more on flood prevention; this is highest in the southwest (47%) and lowest in the southeast (23%).

Summary of Findings (continued) Three fourths (76%) of all respondents feel that the City of Hays should be involved in business development & recruitment. Very high percentages (85%+) of respondents rate all forms of business development offered as very important or important. The approach perceived as most important, by a slim margin, is “helping existing businesses,” and the least important is “creating high skill jobs.”

Summary of Findings (continued) Under half (39%) of all respondents shop in communities other than Hays on a regular basis (at least once a month), only slightly lower than in 1999 when 43% indicated they do so. In 1999, bulk supplies were the most often purchased item outside of Hays, but in 2002, the most often purchased item is groceries. The most often purchased service outside of Hays in 2002 is medical services, followed by dental, and the least often purchased service outside of Hays is tax services.

University Center for Survey Research