2007 Citizen Survey Results
Collier County residents are satisfied with the services and leadership provided by county government, according to the results of the 2007 Collier County Citizen Survey. 52.5 percent of the survey respondents agreed with the following statement: “County officials do a good job running county government.” 28.5 percent disagreed with the statement and 19 percent had no opinion. Another similar question produced comparable results. Asked if things in Collier County are moving in the right direction or wrong direction – 56 percent of respondents believe things are moving the right direction, 27 percent said things are moving in the wrong direction and 17 percent have no opinion. 61 percent of respondents either strongly or somewhat approve of the job performance of the Board of County Commissioners.
On the subject of taxes, residents were asked if they agree or disagree with the following statement: “The property taxes you pay for county services are generally fair in relation to the value of benefits received.”
• 57 percent of respondents agree
• 31 percent disagree
• 12 percent have no opinion.
Residents were asked their opinion of tax reform being debated by the Florida Legislature. Specifically, respondents were asked the following:“Republicans in the Florida House of Representatives have proposed a constitutional amendment that would eliminate property taxes on homesteaded properties in exchange for an increase in the state sales tax from 6 percent to 8.5 percent. What’s your opinion of this tax plan?”
• 28 percent support the House tax reform plan; 46 percent oppose and 26 percent are not sure.
• 72 percent of respondents oppose the idea of extending homestead exemptions to part-time residents of Collier County whose primary residence is elsewhere.
On the subject of adding tolls to the new lanes planned for construction along Interstate 75 in Collier and Lee counties, respondents were asked the following: “Would you support or oppose adding tolls to the new lanes that will be constructed on Interstate 75 in Collier County and Lee County this year in order to speed up construction of additional traffic lanes on the interstate in the future?”
• 39 percent support; 49 percent oppose and 12 percent are not sure.
On the subject of impact fees, respondents were asked the following: “The County currently has 12 different impact fees that are intended to help pay for the cost of providing government services created by population growth. These fees are added to the price of a newly constructed home or business. Knowing that, the County should continue to increase impact fees to pay for continued growth.”
• 42 percent agree with the idea of increasing impact fees to pay for growth; 37 percent disagree and 21 percent have no opinion.
Citizens gave high marks to the county’s response to Hurricane Wilma. 71 percent of respondents rated the county’s performance in response to the hurricane as either excellent or good. 85 percent believe hurricane information provided by the county is timely and reliable.
Other findings included:
• 56 percent of respondents described the availability of affordable housing in Collier County as a major crisis.
• 88 percent of those who have visited the county’s newly redesigned Web site describe it as “informative and easy to use.”
• 93 percent of those respondents who have visited Sun-N-Fun Lagoon Water Park rated the experience as either excellent or good.
• 94 percent of respondents believe the county’s trash collection and recycling programs are working well.
“We’re encouraged by the results of the survey and appreciate that a majority of our residents approve of the job we are doing,” said County Manager Jim Mudd. “However, we understand that much more work needs to be done to maintain and improve the quality of life we have come to expect and enjoy in this beautiful place we call home. For those that took part in the survey – thank you for your time and your candid responses.”
The telephone poll of 710 adults, age 18 and older, was conducted March 19 through April 5. The goal of the 57-question survey is to give residents the opportunity to inform county officials about their policy preferences and to grade the effectiveness and efficiency of county services and programs. County officials, in turn, use the results to make key decisions, measure progress, plan future steps and improve service delivery.