For the second time in three years, the City of New Albany retained central Ohio research firm Saperstein Associates to conduct a resident phone survey. This remains the most effective methodology for randomly representing an entire community, as shown by the comparison between the US Census Bureau data and the survey respondents.
“This survey provided opportunities for residents to share their views on a number of New Albany service and quality of life issues,” said Mayor Sloan Spalding. “The timing of it also allowed us to ask questions about COVID-19 and its impact, as well as questions about resident perceptions of diversity and inclusion. City Council and staff recently created an IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Advisory) Steering Committee to better understand diversity and inclusion issues from a community perspective and help determine potential future actions and programs that may be undertaken to further embrace them. We will provide updates to our residents on these efforts as they come into focus.”
Here is a look at the feedback for each aspect of the survey:
Quality of Life
- 86% consider New Albany an excellent or very good place to live.
- 88% believe New Albany is heading in the right direction.
- 92% of survey respondents < 55 years of age believe this
- 78% of survey respondents > 55 years of age believe this
- Residents want more casual and fine dining restaurants in the Village Center core of town.
- 9% consider traffic in the Village Center core of town to be a major problem, 29% consider it a minor problem and 62% don’t consider it to be a problem.
- New Albany’s social networking sites and LIST e-newsletter are the two most popular sources of city news and information, followed by This Week New Albany News, the city website and internet searches.
City Services
Public Service
- 97% satisfied with snow removal on main roads
- 93% satisfied with snow removal in neighborhoods
- 96% with an opinion are satisfied with leaf collection services
- 94% satisfied with trash, recycling and waste collection
Police
- 94% satisfied with police services
- 94% with an opinion are satisfied with police outreach programs
Land Use and Community Development (including parks and trails)
- 85% satisfied with maintaining appropriate architectural standards for new construction
- 84% satisfied with developing and connecting leisure trails
- 83% satisfied with development of public park lands
- 81% satisfied with recruitment of business to expand the tax base
COVID-19
- 88% postponed or canceled a major event or celebration
- 83% are very or somewhat concerned about another wave of COVID-19 infections
- 83% had trouble finding hand sanitizer, toilet paper or cleaning supplies
- 78% noticed an increase in stress
- 67% know someone outside their home who has been infected with COVID-19
- 63% spent more time helping a child with school
- 57% of households with children lost child care for an extended time
- 35% found accessing health care more difficult
- 35% had hours reduced at work and 23% were furloughed
- 10% were laid off permanently
Diversity and Inclusion
- 88% believe it is important for the people of New Albany and local government to focus on creating a diverse, inclusive and fair city
- 80% believe New Albany is welcoming to people of all religions
- 72% believe New Albany is welcoming to people of all political beliefs
- 72% believe New Albany is welcoming to people of all races and ethnicities
- 70% believe New Albany is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations
- Most residents agree that people similar to themselves are treated fairly by neighbors, law enforcement and local government.
- Fewer believe the same to be true for people different from themselves.
To review Saperstein’s Community Attitudes Survey full resident survey presentation to City Council, visit www.newalbanyohio.org/answers/ survey.
Scott McAfee is the New Albany chief communications & marketing officer. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
