December 2014 © 2014 Ipsos. All rights reserved. Contains Ipsos' Confidential and Proprietary...

December 2014 © 2014 Ipsos. All rights reserved. Contains Ipsos' Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be disclosed or reproduced without the prior written consent of Ipsos.

County of Grande Prairie2014 Citizen Research ResultsFinal Report

2

I. Methodology 3

II. Detailed Findings 4

Issue Agenda 5

Quality of Life 7

County Performance 13

A Growing County 19

Tax Dollars & User Fees 21

Communications 25

Environment 36Website Evaluation 40

Contents

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Methodology

3

Telephone survey conducted with a randomly selected sample of 350 County of Grande Prairie Residents aged 18 years and older between October 23 rd and November 19th, 2014.

The average interview length was 18 minutes.

Final data were weighted to ensure the overall sample’s quadrant, ward and age/gender composition reflects that of the actual population aged 18 or older according to recent census data.

The margin of error for the total sample of 800 is ± 5.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

4

Detailed Findings

5

Issue Agenda

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Road conditions [Snow removal\ plowing\ maintenance\ development etc.]

Infrastructure maintenance/ improvement/ development

Annexation/ merger

Planning/ development/ land use issues

Education [incl. Lack of teachers/ Lack of funding for education/ Lack of schools/ local schools]

Local governance/policies in investment/sustainability

Sports/ recreational facilities

Urban growth/sprawl

None/nothing

Don’t know

Road conditions and infrastructure/improvement/development continue to top the issue agenda. Annexation/merger is new in 2014.

6

Q1. In your view, as a resident of the County of Grande Prairie, what is the most important LOCAL issue facing the County today, that is the one issue you feel should receive the greatest attention from your local leaders? What is the next most important local issue facing the County?

Base: All Respondents (2011 n=301; 2014 n=350)

33%

37%

5%

2%

4%

1%

3%

5%

2%

3%

2%

2%

2%

4%

2%

1%

19%

15%

5%

7%

22%

18%

2%

5%

4%

0%

1%

3%

5%

6%

0%

0%

3%

5%

3%

1%

24%

23%

10%

11%

55%

55%

7%

7%

8%

1%

4%

8%

7%

9%

2%

2%

5%

9%

5%

2%

43%

38%

15%

18%

Second mentionTotal Mention

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

7

Quality of Life

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A strong majority of citizens say the overall quality of life in the County is good, on par with 2011.

8

Q2. How would you rate the overall quality of life in the County of Grande Prairie today? Would you say it is?

Very good

Good

Poor

Very Poor

42%

53%

3%

2%

36%

60%

3%

0%

2011 2014


“*” denotes rounding

Good95% 201495% 2011

Poor5% 20143% 2011

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9

Improved

Stayed the same

Worsened

Don't Know

33%

45%

20%

3%

27%

59%

12%

2%

2011 2014

Q3. And, do you feel that the quality of life in the County of Grande Prairie in the past three years has….?


Net +13 2014+15 2011

While close to half of residents say that quality of life in the County has remained the same, significantly more residents provide a worsened rating in 2014.

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Infrastructure, a new sports facility, and increased attention being paid to youth, are driving perceptions among those who say quality of life has improved.

10

Q4. Why do you think the quality of life has improved?

Base: Respondents who think quality of life has improved (2011: n=77; 2014: 110)

Infrastructure/road repair/road safety

New sports facility

More attention paid to youths

More/ improved facilities

More services/ amenities available

Schools

More/ improved parks and recreation

More shopping opportunities

Growth of community

Commercialization/development

More employment opportunities

More effort by the council/ county

Good community

Other

Don't know

36%

22%

12%

10%

10%

7%

7%

6%

5%

4%

4%

4%

4%

16%

11%

32%

2%

5%

5%

36%

2%

4%

15%

8%

8%

51%

6%

2011 2014

n/a

n/a

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Concerns about the maintenance of older facilities/infrastructure and crime are driving perceptions among those who say quality of life has worsened.

11

Q5. Why do you think the quality of life has worsened?

Base: Respondents who think quality of life has worsened (2011: n=37; 2014: n=64)


Do not maintain older facilities/ infrastructure

Crime

Allows for too much development (land/ infrastructure/subdividing/acreages)

Infrastructure/road repair

Perceived lack of attention/ communication from councillor's

More traffic

Increase in population

Economy issues

Oil drilling

Waste of taxpayers' money

Lack of bylaw

The community is too busy

Less sympathy for citizens

Loss of farmland/ agricultural zones

Commercialization

Other

29%

26%

14%

12%

16%

13%

8%

6%

5%

8%

5%

2%

2%

1%

15%

5%

5%

22%

25%

8%

8%

9%

20%

8%

7%

5%

6%

5%

5%

32%

2011 2014

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The County of Grande Prairie has a vibrant and healthy local economy

The County of Grande Prairie is a great community to raise a family

The County of Grande Prairie is a community with a bright future

I am proud to live in the County of Grande Prairie

The County of Grande Prairie is a place where residents feel safe and secure

Citizens continue to express positive views about life in the County, with strong majorities agreeing that is has a strong economy, has a bright future, and is a great community to raise a family.

64%

44%

64%

57%

58%

56%

62%

55%

32%

37%

33%

45%

31%

36%

36%

37%

31%

39%

49%

46%

97%

89%

95%

93%

94%

93%

93%

94%

81%

83%

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Series3

12

Q6. I'm going to read you a few statements about life in the County of Grande Prairie and I'd like you to indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with each statement.



2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

13

County PerformanceSatisfaction and Importance of Programs & Services

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14

Very satisfied

Somewhat satis-fied

Not very satis-fied

Not at all satis-fied

Don't Know

26%

60%

12%

2%

1%

20%

64%

12%

3%

2%

2011 2014

Q8. Please tell me how satisfied you are with the overall level and quality of services and programs provided by the County of Grande Prairie.



A majority of residents are satisfied with the overall level and quality of services & programs provided by the County, on par with 2011

Satisfied86% 201484% 2011

Not Satisfied14% 201415% 2011

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Fire Department

Police services

Maintenance, cleaning, and upgrading of streets and sidewalks

Bylaw enforcement, including animal control

Affordable housing

Parks and pathways

Land use and community planning

15


95%

95%

89%

88%

73%

78%

52%

57%

62%

68%

50%

63%

74%

64%

4%

4%

10%

10%

18%

16%

31%

31%

21%

21%

34%

27%

22%

28%

99%

99%

99%

98%

91%

94%

83%

88%

83%

89%

84%

90%

96%

92%

Somewhat Important Series3

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

Virtually all County services are deemed continue to be seen as important.Q9. Please tell me how important the services and programs provided by the County of Grande Prairie are to you.

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Recycling

Quality of drinking water

Wastewater treatment

Arts & culture facilities

Support services for seniors

Agriculture services

Financial support to not for profit organizations

Family and community support services (FCSS)

16


66%

75%

90%

87%

71%

74%

29%

25%

70%

65%

59%

57%

46%

51%

71%

72%

29%

20%

4%

6%

16%

17%

40%

47%

19%

24%

24%

27%

35%

36%

25%

18%

95%

95%

94%

93%

87%

91%

69%

72%

89%

89%

83%

84%

81%

87%

96%

90%

Somewhat Important Series3

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

Virtually all County services are deemed continue to be seen as important.Q9. Please tell me how important the services and programs provided by the County of Grande Prairie are to you.

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Fire Department

Police services

Maintenance, cleaning, and upgrading of streets and sidewalks

Bylaw enforcement, including animal control

Affordable housing

Parks and pathways

Land use and community planning

17


67%

59%

30%

38%

22%

20%

29%

25%

16%

12%

28%

25%

14%

15%

26%

29%

49%

46%

45%

41%

48%

49%

51%

51%

54%

45%

57%

61%

93%

88%

79%

84%

67%

61%

77%

74%

67%

63%

82%

70%

71%

76%

Somewhat Satisfied Series3

Overall satisfaction with the majority of County programs and services continues to be strong, with significant increases noted for parks and pathways, and recycling.

Q9a_1. And how satisfied are you with the job the County is doing in providing this program or service?

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

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Recycling

Quality of drinking water

Wastewater treatment

Arts & culture facilities

Support services for seniors

Agriculture services

Financial support to not for profit organizations

Family and community support services (FCSS)

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

18


38%

43%

46%

41%

37%

33%

19%

16%

17%

15%

28%

26%

27%

23%

28%

27%

46%

33%

31%

40%

43%

48%

54%

56%

47%

59%

53%

58%

54%

55%

56%

55%

84%

76%

77%

81%

80%

81%

73%

72%

64%

74%

81%

84%

81%

78%

84%

82%

Somewhat Satisfied Series3

Overall satisfaction with the majority of County programs and services continues to be strong, with significant increases noted for parks and pathways, and recycling.

Q9a_1. And how satisfied are you with the job the County is doing in providing this program or service?

19

A Growing CountyPerceptions related to Growth and Development

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The County of Grande Prairie does a good job managing the level of development and

growth in the County

It is possible for the County of Grande Prairie to grow while maintaining the

quality of life we have come to enjoy in this County

The County of Grande Prairie keeps citizens informed about how it plans to

deal with growth

21%

17%

30%

42%

20%

12%

55%

63%

57%

51%

50%

48%

15%

14%

8%

4%

21%

27%

8%

5%

4%

2%

8%

12%

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree

20Base: All Respondents (2011 n=301; 2014 n=350)


2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

Perceptions about growth management continue to be strong, with a significant 10 percentage point increase in perceptions about County growth-related communications.

Q30. I'm going to read you a few statements about growth and development in the County of Grande Prairie. Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each. The first one is...?

76%

80%

87%

93%

70%

60%

% Agree

21

Tax Dollars and User FeesPerceptions related to County Finances

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Perceptions about value for taxes have increased significantly since 2011; over six-in-ten say that they receive good value for the municipal portion of their property tax bill.

22

6%

9%

21%

27%

14%

11%

3%

3%

3%

4%

1%

4%

4%

21%

25%

13%

15%

7%

5%

1%

4%

1%

Q12. Your property tax dollars are divided between the County and the Province. In Grande Prairie, approximately two-thirds [64%] of your property tax bill goes to the County to fund municipal services. Considering the services provided by the County, please rate the value you feel you receive from your municipal property tax dollars using a scale

of 1 to 10 where 1 represents “very poor value” and 10 represents “very good value”

Very good value – 10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

Very poor value – 1

Don’t know


Good Value63% 201454% 2011

Neutral25% 201429% 2011

Poor12% 201417% 2011

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Over half of County residents support increasing taxes to maintain or expand services, on par with 2011

23

Q13. Municipal property taxes are the primary way to pay for services and programs provided by County of Grande Prairie. Due to the increased cost of maintaining current service levels and infrastructure, the County must balance taxation and service delivery levels. To deal with this situation, which of the following four options

would you most like the County to pursue?


Increase taxes - to expand services

Increase taxes - to maintain services at current levels

Cut services - to maintain current tax level

Cut services - to reduce taxes

None

Don't Know

24%

30%

26%

9%

9%

2%

25%

30%

23%

10%

9%

3%

Increase Taxes54% 201455% 2011

Cut Taxes35% 201433% 2011

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On par with 2011, a majority of residents prefer user fees over property tax increases.

24

Q14. Assuming the County needs to increase the amount of revenue it collects from citizens, would you prefer the County to... ?

Increase property taxes

Introduce new or expand existing

user fees

Don’t know

21%

72%

6%

21%

74%

6%

2011 2014


25

CommunicationsEvaluating County Information & Customer Service

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In 2014, half of residents have made contact with the County or one of its employees in the past 12 months.

26

Yes

No

49%

50%

56%

44%

2011 2014


Q15. Have you contacted or dealt with the County of Grande Prairie or one of its employees in the last twelve months?

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The majority of contact with the County is citizen initiated.

27Base: Respondents who have been in contact with the County (n=183)

Q16. Thinking of the most recent time you had contact with the County, did you initiate this contact, or did the County contact you?

I initiated contact

The County contacted me

88%

11%

88%

12%

2011 2014

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Contact by phone and in-person continue to be the most frequently used channels for interacting with the County.

28Base: Respondents who contact the County (n=158)

Q17. When you contacted the County was it...

By phoning the County directly

In writing, for example, writing a personal letter or fax

In person, for example visiting County offices

Via the internet, for example at a website

Via email

50%

2%

43%

2%

1%

51%

1%

42%

1%

6%

2011 2014

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Public Works; the highest reported area of contact for County residents.

29

Q18b. Specifically, what one Department or area of the County did you last have contact with?



29%

16%

9%

0%

4%

12%

5%

7%

11%

10%

2%

4%

26%

9%

4%

38%

8%

14%

12%

4%

17%

10%

7%

12%

11%

6%

4%

14%

9%

1%

2011 2014

Public Works (Net)

Public Works (unspecified)

Road Construction and Maintenance

Department of Planning and Development

Public Works Other

Protective Services (Net)

By-law Enforcement

Protective Services Other

Corporate Service (Net)

Assessment and Taxation Department

Animal Control

Councillor/ Representative

Corporate Service Other

Other

Don't know

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Overall, three-quarters of residents are satisfied with their recent contact with the County.

30

Q19. How satisfied were you with your most recent contact with the County? Were you…

Very satisfied

Somewhat Satisfied

Not very satisfied

Not at all satisfied

49%

25%

8%

16%

43%

27%

14%

15%

2011 2014

Base: Contacted or dealt with the County of Grande Prairie in the last twelve months (2011: n=169; 2014 n=183)

Satisfied74% 201470% 2011


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The quality of service from the County is consistently high

The County responds quickly to requests and concerns

County staff are courteous, helpful, and knowledgeable

County staff are easy to get a hold of when I need them

The County of Grande Prairie practices open and accessible government

Residents continue to indicate that the County delivers on a strong customer service experience, in addition to being open and accessible.

31

Q20. Thinking about your personal dealings with the County of Grande Prairie, your general impressions and anything you may have read, seen or heard, please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about the County?



29%

23%

22%

20%

51%

44%

36%

38%

25%

25%

51%

55%

50%

50%

35%

45%

46%

41%

55%

53%

14%

12%

19%

18%

6%

6%

13%

12%

6%

11%

5%

9%

6%

9%

4%

2%

3%

6%

9%

8%

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

% Agree

80%

78%

72%

70%

86%

89%

82%

79%

80%

78%

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A majority of residents say that they have the right amount of information from the County; a significant 9 percentage point increase compared to 2011.

32

Q21. In your opinion, do you currently receive too much, too little, or just the right amount of information from the County of Grande Prairie?

Too Much

Too Little

Just the Right Amount

Don't Know

1%

29%

70%

0%

1%

37%

61%

1%


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sos

Road conditions, budget, planning, service schedules, and infrastructure/road repair/ road safety top the list of information residents would like the County to provide.

33

Q22. Thinking about your community information needs, what kinds of information do you want the County of Grande Prairie to provide you with?


Road conditions [Snow removal\ plowing\ main-tenance\ development etc.]

Budget control/ appropriate spending of taxes

Planning/ (future) development (unsp.)

Community events/happenings

Service schedules

Infrastructure/road repairs/road safety

Everything

Youth/ family activitiesMedia mentions (print information, newsletter, word

of mouth, etc)Programs available

Taxes/ rates (increases)

Crime in the community

Commercialization/(land)development/construction

Expenditures/(county) operational costs

Flyers/ newsletters/ bulletins

Other

Don't know

Nothing

Dk/ns

14%

12%

10%

7%

7%

7%

5%

5%

5%

4%

2%

2%

0%

0%

0%

30%

25%

3%

3%

0

0

0

0.15

0.09

0.09

0

0

0

0.06

0.03

0.01

0.16

0.12

0.06

0.58

0.12

0.06

0.05

2011 2014

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Direct Mail, specifically County Connections, continues to be the primary source of information about the County.


Q23. Thinking about yourself, what is your main source of receiving information from the County of Grande Prairie?

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

2014

2011

27%

19%

25%

23%

11%

15%

11%

11%

6%

9%

4%

4%

4%

0%

3%

0%

2%

2%

5%

1%

4%

17%

4%

5%

4%

6%

13%

12%

13%

8%

6%

10%

2%

3%

2%

0%

1%

0%

3%

5%

13%

1%

39%

51%

31%

24%

29%

29%

24%

27%

24%

19%

12%

19%

6%

7%

6%

0%

4%

0%

5%

7%

18%

2%

43%

68%

Second mention Total Mention

County newsletter - 'County Connections' (mailed to households)

Direct Mail /Billing Inserts

Radio

Website

Newspaper articles

Information Flyers

Social media including Facebook and Twitter

Friends/ family

Newspaper advertisements

Other

Don't Know

@20

14 Ip

sos

While direct mail is the most preferred method for receiving County information, results show a significant 11 percentage point increase in mentions of the County’s website.

35

Q24. And, thinking about your own preferences how would you most like to receive information from the County of Grande Prairie?


Direct Mail

Website

Information Flyers

Email

Newspaper

Social media

Other

Don't Know

39%

21%

14%

8%

3%

3%

7%

6%

46%

10%

7%

0%

5%

0%

30%

3%

2011 2014

36

EnvironmentCounty Performance

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Very Good

Good

Poor

Very Poor

29%

60%

9%

1%

25%

66%

6%

2%

2011 2014

Perceptions remain very strong about the County’s overall environmental state.

37

Q25. Thinking about things such as air, water and land quality in the County of Grande Prairie how would you rate the overall state of the County of Grande Prairie's environment today?


Good89% 201491% 2011

Poor11% 20149% 2011

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Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Not very satisfied


24%

59%

11%

3%

19%

63%

12%

4%

2011 2014

A majority residents continue to be satisfied with the County’s performance in protecting the environment.


Q26. How satisfied are you with the job the County of Grande Prairie is currently doing to protect the environment?

Satisfied83% 201482% 2011


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Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Not very satisfied


22%

52%

16%

5%

13%

55%

24%

6%

2011 2014

Results show positive momentum as it relates to satisfaction with County programs and services that enable residents to reduce their own environmental impact.

39

Q27. How satisfied are you with County of Grande Prairie programs and services aimed at helping County residents reduce their environmental impact?


Satisfied74% 201468% 2011


40

Website EvaluationMeasuring Usage & Usefulness

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Half of residents have visited the County’s website in the past 12 months; an 8 percentage point increase compared to 2011.

41

Q28. Have you been to the County of Grande Prairie's website in the last twelve months?


Yes

No

49%

51%

41%

59%

2011 2014

@20

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Very useful

Somewhat useful

Not too useful

Not at all useful

33%

62%

3%

2%

29%

56%

14%

1%

2011 2014

Perceived usefulness of the County’s website has increased a significant 10 percentage points compared to 2011.

42Base: Respondents who visited the website (n=148)

Q29. How useful was the content of information and online services available on the website?

Useful95% 201485% 2011

Not Useful5% 2014

15% 2011

Contact Information

43

Jamie DuncanVice PresidentIpsos Reid, Canada Public Affairs

1950 – 700 6th Avenue, SW,Calgary AB, Canada T2P 0T8

Phone: 587.952.4863email: [email protected]

December 2014 © 2014 Ipsos. All rights reserved. Contains Ipsos' Confidential and Proprietary...

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Transcript of December 2014 © 2014 Ipsos. All rights reserved. Contains Ipsos' Confidential and Proprietary...