2025
AI is improving America’s cities thanks to these Air Force vets
Analyzing data, both new and old, Polco can identify patterns and trends and suggest courses of action for governments to take before problems arise.
Smart Ways to Use AI for State Budgeting
Generative AI gets the attention, but for now the cost analysis and data tracking tools are more helpful to policymakers.
Innovation Memo with Polco: Powering data-drive governance with community insights.
In today’s edition of our Innovation Memo, we profile Polco with Co-Founder and CEO, Nick Mastronardi.
The GovTech 100 is an annual list compiled and published by Government Technology as a compendium of 100 companies focused on, making a difference in, and selling to state and local government agencies across the United States.
DECEMBER
NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY OPEN THROUGH JAN. 8
The National Research Council administers the survey, which more than 500 communities in 45 states use. The survey includes questions about safety, mobility, governance, community connection, recreation and more.
COLUMN: CITIZEN SURVEY GUIDES COUNTY POLICIES AND DECISIONS
The National Community Survey was developed and is administered by the National Research Center at Polco of Middleton, Wisc. The survey included questions about quality of life in the community, local policies, demographics, ratings of local government services and resident use of services.
ANCHORAGE SCHOOL BOARD GRAPPLES WITH $107M BUDGET DEFICIT
Board members spent much of the meeting using a tool called Balancing Act to show how cuts to various departments could be used to balance the budget.
TAKE THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
Park City Municipal invites you to participate in the National Community Survey. The survey is administered by the National Research Council and is used by more than 500 communities in 45 states.
DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR COMMUNITY SURVEY
The survey captures opinions on the economy, mobility, community design, utilities, safety, natural environment, engagement, and other elements of Johnson City’s overall livability.
DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR COMMUNITY SURVEY
Conducted every three years in partnership with the National Research Center at Polco, the survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
YOU CAN SHARE FEEDBACK ON CITY’S 2025 BUDGET ONLINE
To get community feedback, they have launched Balancing Act, an online tool where you can build your own city budget.
RESIDENTS PAN PERMITTING, LAUD LIBRARIES IN NEW SURVEY
Palo Alto residents generally love their parks and libraries and, by and large, think their city leaders are doing a decent job.
CAMP VERDE ASKS RESIDENTS TO TAKE ONLINE SURVEY
“We are excited to receive more input for our strategic plan. The survey will help us get a baseline understanding of our services and allow us to measure our impact going forward.” Miranda Fisher, Town Manager, Town of Camp Verde.
What is The National Community Survey (The NCS)?
NOVEMBER
THE RESULTS ARE IN ON NAPERVILLE’S COMMUNITY ART SURVEY
“We appreciate all community members who took the time to participate in our public art survey. Now we better understand the community’s interest in public art projects. It’s exciting to be able to use these insights to help create future public art in the community.” Dawn Portner, City Clerk, City of Naperville.
CITY OF HAMILTON LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE BUDGET TOOL TO ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN 2025 FINANCIAL PLANNING
“I am committed to creating a transparent and collaborative process that reflects the needs and priorities of our community. In response to feedback received from last year’s budget process, we have created the Balancing Act Budget Tool on a dedicated webpage that provides essential information and features key components. This tool is a powerful way to bring residents into the budgeting process, providing both education and a platform for further engagement.” Andrea Horwath, Mayor, City of Hamilton.
RESULTS OF 2024 CITIZEN SURVEY FOR ENGLEWOOD REVEALED
“The National Community Survey is a standardized five-page comprehensive survey used to assess resident opinion about community and local government, The NCS focuses on the livability of Englewood by categorizing some survey questions into 10 main facets of community livability.” Sonya Wytinck, COO, Polco.
REDLANDS SURVEY RESULTS: PRAISE FOR CULTURAL OFFERINGS, CONFIDENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT DROPS
A recent community survey in Redlands reveals residents' top priorities and concerns, with homelessness and public safety emerging as the most pressing issues.
RESOURCE PAGE SUPPORTS OLDER WORKERS
Earlier this year, NYSOFA released the results of its Comprehensive Community Assessment Survey of Older Adults, which yielded over 27,000 responses from New Yorkers aged 60 and older. According to the survey, 24 percent of older adults rated employment as an area of concern (ranking it third among 17 broader areas), affecting an estimated 1,094,831 older adults.
MARION PLACES A HIGH VALUE ON RESIDENT FEEDBACK AND USES THAT FEEDBACK TO SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY.
Earlier this fall, Marion was honored with not one but FIVE Voice of the People Awards presented by Polco and the ICMA - International City/County Management Association.
An online community survey is now available through December 5. Results from the survey will show the City's strengths, areas of improvement and what matters most to our residents.
CITY OF PALM COAST INVITES RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART IN SALTWATER CANAL SURVEY
The Palm Coast City Council is prioritizing the development of a maintenance plan for the city’s saltwater canals as part of its strategic action plan. To ensure this plan reflects the needs and priorities of our community, the City is seeking input from residents.
2024 National Community Survey (NCS) Report for Los Alamos County.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? CITY OF MISSOULA SURVEY WANTS YOUR OPINION
“I want to encourage folks to take this survey. It’s important we learn from our constituents’ perspectives, and I look forward to hearing their thoughts.” Andrea Davis, Mayor, Missoula City
Staff will be able to use the data collected during the National Community Survey to align long-term strategic plans, evaluate performance management efforts, inform budget preparation, and more.
COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING SPECIAL SESSION RESCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, NOV. 15
2024 National Community Survey (NCS) Report for Los Alamos County, NM.SURVEY: FRISCO RANKS HIGH IN QUALITY OF LIFE, SAFETY
“We’re proud to say public safety accounts for about half of our budget every year. That kind of investment has been our ‘best practice’ for more than a couple decades. Prioritizing public safety allows other aspects of our community to successfully grow. This approach by City Councils, past and present, has helped Frisco achieve accolades for livability, job growth and safety. We’ve even made a list for being a ‘happy place’. This scientifically based survey acknowledges the things we do well but also points to areas where we can improve.” Jeff Cheney, Mayor, City of Frisco.
The National Community Survey (NCS), which ran from July 8 to September 2, has cast the spotlight on the high levels of satisfaction among Frisco residents concerning their quality of life and safety.
The National Community Survey finds Frisco’s quality of life, economic health and ‘overall feeling of safety’ rank higher than more than 500 communities representing more than 50 million residents across the country.
SURVEY SAYS FRISCO'S 'QUALITY OF LIFE', SAFETY RANK HIGH
“We’re proud to say public safety accounts for about half of our budget every year. That kind of investment has been our ‘best practice’ for more than a couple decades. Prioritizing public safety allows other aspects of our community to successfully grow. This approach by City Councils, past and present, has helped Frisco achieve accolades for livability, job growth and safety. We’ve even made a list for being a ‘happy place’. This scientifically based survey acknowledges the things we do well but also points to areas where we can improve.” Jeff Cheney, Mayor, City of Frisco.
CITY NEWS: BOARD OPENING, BUDGET, STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Community members are invited to join the City of Tacoma at a virtual workshop to learn more about the 2025–2026 Biennial Budget development process.
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SEEK, OR FIND, THE ANSWERS
The National Community Survey is “designed to provide a baseline of how the county government is serving residents, to gauge perceptions of the county, and to make comparisons with peer counties,” it states.
CAMP VERDE SEEKS SEEKS WEED INPUT
“Engaging the community has been a priority of mine since I joined the Camp Verde team in May. We value community feedback and look forward to receiving input about the potential allowance for recreational marijuana. Survey results will be presented to the Town Council to better inform them as they consider how to best move forward for the community. We strongly encourage all stakeholders to take five to 10 minutes of their time to complete the survey. The more people who participate, the better data we will have to inform our decisions.” Miranda Fisher, Town Manager, Town of Camp Verde.
KINGMAN INVITES RESIDENTS FEEDBACK
“We are excited to receive input from the community to guide our strategic plan. The survey will give us a baseline understanding of our services and allow us to measure our impact going forward,” Tim Walsh, City Manager, City of Kingman.
RESULTS FOR GLEN ELLYN, IL 2023 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY™
The National Community Survey™ in Glen Ellyn.
OCTOBER
BLOOMINGTON WINS PRESTIGIOUS 2024 VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AWARD FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS INITIATIVES
Bloomington has snagged a national award, signaling the city's commitment to promoting a healthier environment for its residents.
CITY OF KINGMAN LAUNCHES COMMUNITY SURVEY TO SHAPE FUTURE STRATEGIC PLAN
“We are excited to receive input from the community to guide our strategic plan. The survey will provide us with a fundamental understanding of our services and measure our impact moving forward.” Tim Walsh, City Manager, City Of Kingman.
WESTERN SPRINGS RANKS HIGH IN MANY CATEGORIES
The village hired a Wisconsin-based firm, Polco, to survey residents over six weeks. A total of 836 surveys were returned, a response rate of 24 percent, which the firm said was higher than usual.
CITY RECEIVES NATIONAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AWARD BASED ON RESIDENT FEEDBACK AND COMMUNITY DATA
The City of Bloomington recently received the 2024 Voice of the People (VOP) Award in the category of Transformation in Health & Wellness from Polco and the International City/County Management Association.
TAKE THE POT SURVEY IN CAMP VERDE
You can decide if the Camp Verde Town Council allows a retail recreational marijuana outlet in town by participating in a public feedback survey.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY SEEKS RESIDENT OPINIONS ONLINE
The National Community Survey was developed and is administered by the National Research Center at Polco of Middleton, Wisconsin.
WESTERN SPRINGS EXCELS IN NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY RANKINGS
The National Community Survey™ results have been released, with Western Springs evaluated against numerous communities nationwide.
For a different botched item, Polco, Inc. did report results. There’s an item that asks what respondents like least about the city of Bloomington.
THE CITY OF TWIN FALLS IS LAUNCHING ITS 2024 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
“We are always looking for ways to receive more input from the community to guide our strategic plan, The survey helps us gather an understanding of our services and allow us to measure our impact going forward.” Travis Rothweiler, City Manager, City of Twin Falls.
CITY OF MISSOULA SEEKS FEEDBACK ON COMMUNITY-WIDE SURVEY
“I want to encourage folks to take this survey, It’s important we learn from our constituents’ perspectives, and I look forward to hearing their thoughts.” Randomly selected households will receive mailed survey invitations with instructions in the next few weeks. All residents will have the opportunity to share their opinions in a few weeks, when the survey becomes available to the entire community. Andrea Davis, Mayor, City of Missoula.
IT MAY SEEM INTIMIDATING, BUT AI HAS GREAT POTENTIAL IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
For example, Polco's AI analyst tool, Polly, is designed specifically for the public sector to easily produce government performance analytics. It's the first AI analyst specifically designed for the public sector.
GOODYEAR ANALYZES WORKPLACE SATISFACTION OF CITY EMPLOYEES
Since 2014, the city has been proactive in gauging employee satisfaction through biannual surveys, initially using Polco's National Employee Survey. This established framework has allowed for targeted action planning at the department level, resulting in improvements across nearly all categories up until 2018.
The confidential survey results help identify priorities for Gilbert’s business community and the input guides future services and programs – whether that be on supporting workforce development, providing business resources like training or technical assistance, and even improving our processes to support business growth in Gilbert, Arizona.
CITY OF SEDONA OPENS NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY TO RESIDENTS
This survey gauges resident sentiment on the following important topics: Economy, mobility, community design, natural environment, parks and recreation, health and wellness, education, arts and culture, inclusivity and engagement.
LOS ALAMOS COUNTY RELEASES FINDINGS OF 2024 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
Los Alamos County has released the results of the 2024 National Community Survey, which was conducted in August.
CITY WINS 'VOICE OF THE PEOPLE' AWARDS IN TWO CATEGORIES
The City of Gulf Breeze announced its recognition with two 2024 Voice of the People (VOP) Awards for Excellence in Trust in Government and Excellence in Parks and Recreation.
CITY WINS ‘VOICE OF THE PEOPLE’ AWARDS IN TWO CATEGORIES
“These awards reaffirm the city’s commitment to government transparency and development of quality recreational spaces,” Cherry Fitch, Mayor, City of Gulf Breeze.
SEDONA OPENS NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY TO RESIDENTS
The NCS is a scientific survey with mostly preset questions used by 46 states and more than 350 jurisdictions. This survey is administered every two-to-three years and allows the city to gather feedback and compare resident sentiment with other like-minded cities and towns.
CITY OF SEDONA OPENS NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY TO RESIDENTS
This survey gauges resident sentiment on the following important topics: Economy Mobility Community design Natural environment Parks and recreation Health and wellness Education Arts...
CITY OF SEDONA OPENS NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY TO RESIDENTS
The city of Sedona invites residents to take The National Community Survey (NCS).
Take the 2024 National Community Survey in English, Spanish, Polish or Gujarati.
"We're so pleased to receive this honor from Polco and ICMA in recognition of the grant funding we were able to bring into the Corvallis community, Mobility is an important category of public services, and this grant will help us engage in data-driven decision-making to improve our overall transportation system." Patrick W. Rollens, City's Public Information Officer, City of Corvallis.
The Community Assessment Survey covers many different factors impacting quality of life for older adults, aged 50+, including housing, employment, accessibility, mobility, physical and mental health, and more.
The City of Morristown is asking residents to participate in The National Community Survey. The survey is designed to provide a baseline of how the City government is serving residents, to gauge perceptions of the City, and to make comparisons with peer cities.
NAPERVILLE SURVEY SEEKS INPUT ON PUBLIC ARTNAPERVILLE SURVEY SEEKS INPUT ON PUBLIC ART
Naperville residents and visitors are being asked about their thoughts on public art. The city is using Polco, a platform used by local governments, for the survey.
TWIN FALLS LAUNCHES ANNUAL COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SURVEY
"We are always looking for ways to receive more input from the community to guide our strategic plan, The survey, which we conduct every year, helps us gather an understanding of our services and allow us to measure our impact going forward." Travis Rothweiler, City Manager, City of Twin Falls.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY?
The National Community Survey has been used in more than 350 jurisdictions across 46 states. This allows for robust benchmark comparisons among communities across the nation.
In 2011, CDHS and local Area Agencies on Aging worked with the National Research Center to perform the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA). CASOA provides a statistically valid survey of older adults in communities across America.
SEPTEMBER 2024
PARTICIPATE IN THE 2024 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
The National Community Survey (NCS) is a comprehensive tool that helps local governments gather feedback from residents on various aspects of community life.
CITY OF TWIN FALLS LAUNCHES COMMUNITY-WIDE SURVEY
“We strongly encourage all residents to take the survey. The more people who participate, the better data we will have to inform our planning and budgeting efforts. This is an opportunity for everyone in the community to share their thoughts and shape the future of Twin Falls.” Travis Rothweiler, City Manager, City of Twin Falls .
HOW RESIDENTS CAN HELP YOU MAKE TOUGH LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET DECISIONS
The Budget Simulation by Polco creates that experience and asks residents to try balancing the city budget themselves. The tool mirrors a city’s real-life revenue and spending. For example, residents can see the impacts of raising fines, lowering taxes and moving funds across different service areas.
“Bloomington has always strived to be a place where people want to live, Polco has been an invaluable partner in understanding our community’s priorities and concerns. Their tools and insights have helped the City of Bloomington innovate and adapt our public health services to better serve the evolving needs of our community.” Kathy Hedin, Assistant City Manager, City of Bloomington.
LOVELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES BIENNIAL PUBLIC SAFETY SURVEY, OPEN UNTIL OCT. 24
The Loveland Police Department has launched its biennial Public Safety Survey and will be accepting submissions until late October.
RESULTS OF 2024 SURVEY SHOW WHAT ANN ARBORITES THINK OF THEIR CITY
“My focus has always been that we need to improve basic services and enhance quality of life, ensuring that the water is clean, that the police and fire show up and do their job professionally, that the parks are well-maintained, that the streets are as good as they can be, that we at City Hall perform the job in ways that do honor to the community,” Christopher Taylor, Mayor, City of Ann Arbor.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS
We want to hear from you! By participating in this survey, you will help us strategically plan, set priorities and allocate resources to make impactful enhancements throughout the city.
ELK GROVE TO VOTE ON $4.5 MILLION CONTRACT TO OPERATE A YEAR-ROUND HOMELESS SHELTER
“The city’s planned opening of a new year-round shelter, coupled with the City’s new anti-camping ordinance, ensures a compassionate approach to cleaning up encampments and helping those experiencing homelessness receive the services and housing that they need,” Bobbi Singh Allen, Mayor, City of Elk Grove.
SURVEY: RESIDENTS CONCERNED ABOUT CITY GOVERNANCE
“I’m very proud of the council members that I serve with, and I know that people are trying to do a really good job and I also know that the public has their own perspective or perception of what they see and how they see it going for them, So our job is to try to make people’s lives better and that’s what I’ll continue to do.” Torre, Mayor, City of Aspen.
NEW YORK STATE LAUNCHES RESOURCE GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT
"New York State is leading the way in building a more inclusive and supportive workforce. Older workers bring decades of experience, diverse perspectives, and a strong work ethic to the table, and it's crucial that we eliminate the barriers preventing them from staying active in their careers.” Roberta Reardon, State Labor Department Commissioner, New York State.
NEW RESOURCE PAGE TO HELP OLDER NEW YORKERS FIND WORK LAUNCHED
This initiative and other statewide efforts for older adults are supported by recent data. Earlier this year, NYSOFA released the results of its Comprehensive Community Assessment Survey of Older Adults, which yielded over 27,000 responses from New Yorkers 60 and older.
“New York State is leading the way in building a more inclusive and supportive workforce, Older workers bring decades of experience, diverse perspectives, and a strong work ethic to the table, and it’s crucial that we eliminate the barriers preventing them from staying active in their careers.” Roberta Reardon, NYSDOL Commissioner, State of New York..jpg?width=1920&height=1080&name=In%20The%20News%20Template%20(7).jpg)
‘MULTI-LAYERED EFFORT’ KEY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EFFORTS IN DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS
“Over the past couple years, I’ve seen a change in the city, how the neighborhoods react (to the police department). (Before) I think it had a bit of an ‘us against them feeling’ with the police department being more of an occupying army than an entity that was in partnership,” Eric Winstrom, Chief of Police Department, City of Grand Rapids.
STATEWIDE COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT FOR OLDER ADULT SURVEY
The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) launched the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults, a collaborative effort between Area Agencies on Aging throughout the state and the research firm Polco.
STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT NOW OPEN TO ALL SENIORS
The 2024 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults is now open to all Indiana residents age 60 and older, according to Thrive Alliance.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: HELP US MAKE INDIANA A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND AGE WITH DIGNITY!
Sept. 4, the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults will be available online for everyone 60 and over to complete. This information is valuable in identifying the unmet needs in our community.
COUNTY LAUNCHES SURVEY TO SUPPORT BUSINESS COMMUNITY
“We understand the unique challenges our business community is facing right now, Your feedback will help us align resources, build communication channels, and create a more targeted approach to supporting local businesses.” Shanna Sasser, Economic Development Administrator, Los Alamos County.
LIVABILITY SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS ST. PETE’S STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES
“Overall, I felt very good about what people thought about the city … whether they would recommend it to somebody and whether they’re going to continue to live here or not, I thought those were all positive things.” Copley Gerdes, Councilmember, City of St. Petersburg.
ASHLAND'S NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY LAUNCHES IN SEPTEMBER
Ashland's National Community Survey (NCS) only happens every 3 years and is THE most accurate and demographically representative surveying tool.
WEST CHESTER SEEKS INPUT FROM RESIDENTS IN COMMUNITY-WIDE SURVEY
West Chester Township has partnered with Polco, a leader in the field of civic engagement and surveying, to issue the 2024 National Community Survey. All residents and community members are strongly encouraged to participate!
STATE OF INDIANA OPENS STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY TO ALL SENIORS
The 2024 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults is now open to all residents aged 60 and older.
The City of Tacoma’s Office of Management and Budget will present an update on the 2025–2026 Biennial Budget Development Process at the Tuesday, September 10, study session at noon. Staff will present an update on revenues and offer an overview of the budget’s progress.
LIVING LAB MAY MOVE MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., FROM TOURISM TO TECH
The four companies, announced last week, include Rep’d, a video messaging and engagement platform for local governments; and Polco, an “all-in-one community engagement platform [that] allows government leaders to collect and analyze resident feedback to make data-driven decisions,” according to a city news release.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: HELP US MAKE INDIANA A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND AGE WITH DIGNITY!
Beginning Sept. 4, the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults will be available online for everyone 60 and over to complete. This information is valuable in identifying the unmet needs in our community.
The city of Fort Pierce revealed survey findings on how residents feel about the city. It is called the National Community Survey, with responses collected between Feb. 19, 2024, and April 1.
AUGUST 2024
Learn which public information services saw an increase.
TOWNSHIP OF SCHAUMBURG SEEKS INPUT IN COMMUNITYWIDE SURVEY
The Township of Schaumburg, in partnership with Polco, launched a resident survey to get input on government services and measure the quality of life in the community.
BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION RECEIVES RESULTS FROM THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
In Bozeman, results from the national community survey are in, and city commissioners heard about key findings on Tuesday evening.
DENTON LAUNCHES "BALANCING ACT" SIMULATOR FOR RESIDENT INPUT ON FY2025 CITY BUDGET
Denton residents have a chance to play city budget planner with the city's new "Balancing Act" tool, an online simulator aimed at showing where tax dollars could be funneled for Fiscal Year 2025.
WE CAN FINALLY SHARE THIS NEWS PUBLICLY!
Dependbuild is working with the City of Myrtle Beach through its inaugural Living Labs program to help improve their infrastructure risk management processes and boost operational efficiencies.
CHECK OUT DENTON’S BUDGET SIMULATOR: EXPERIMENT WITH FUNDING AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO THE CITY
Denton’s newly updated simulation tool, called Balancing Act, is now available online for resident feedback on the 2025 general fund budget. The virtual tool allows users to allocate proposed funds based on their preferences on items like property taxes, city staff and police positions and city enhancements.
GENERATIONS: COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY STILL OPEN
On Aug. 5, we launched the 2024 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults. Randomly selected households will begin receiving mailed survey invitations around this time.
LOS ALAMOS COUNTY RESIDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY™
Los Alamos County announced today that the National Community Survey™ (NCS) is now open to all residents. The NCS is a benchmarking survey that the County used in 2020, 2022 and now 2024 to gauge citizen perceptions of community livability.
Select households have received invitations to participate in our National Community Survey in partnership with Polco.
LOS ALAMOS COUNTY RESIDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN 2024 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY™
Los Alamos County announced today that the National Community Survey™ (NCS) is now open to all residents. The NCS is a benchmarking survey that the County used in 2020, 2022 and now 2024 to gauge citizen perceptions of community livability.
RESIDENTS RATE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE POORLY ON ECONOMY, HIGH ON NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
“This indicates to us as survey researchers, that needs are currently being met, but that the issue of the national environment nevertheless is a top priority for the community.” Brandon Barnett, Senior Survey Associate, Polco.
INDIANA SEEKS RESIDENT INPUT ON SENIOR SERVICES AND NEEDS
"We strongly encourage all eligible residents to take the survey. The more people who participate, the better data we will have to inform our planning efforts, including Indiana's Age Forward Together initiative. This is an opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts and shape the future of aging in Indiana." Leslie Huckleberry, Director of the Division of Aging, State of Indiana.
Take the 2024 National Community Survey, now through Sept. 4. The survey provides a look at resident perspectives on local government services.
COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS SHOW THAT ROSEMOUNT IS A DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE
“I appreciate and welcome the feedback from our Council to continue to plan for and deliver services in our growing community. We also welcome residents to continue sharing their feedback as we remain committed to fostering an inclusive, thriving environment for generations to come.” Jeff Weisensel, City Mayor, City of Rosemount.
INDIANA SEEKS RESIDENT INPUT ON SENIOR SERVICES AND NEEDS
“We strongly encourage all eligible residents to take the survey. The more people who participate, the better data we will have to inform our plan, This is an opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts and shape the future of aging in Northwest Indiana.” Brian Matthews, Home and Community Based Services Manager, CoAction.
Select households have received invitations to participate in our National Community Survey, in partnership with Polco.
FRISCO, TEXAS SEEKS RESIDENT FEEDBACK ON CITY SERVICES AND QUALITY OF LIFE
“We encourage all 18 and older residents to take the open participation survey, The more people who participate, the better data we will have for consideration. This is an opportunity for everyone in the community to share their thoughts and help shape the future of Frisco.” Jeff Cheney, City Mayor, City of Frisco.
“I see the community responding with dissatisfaction in the lack of restaurants and the lack of variety of retail establishments, and I hope that we can improve that,” Julie Fitzgerald, Mayor, Wilsonville City.
GAMES COULD WIDEN FRACTURES IN PARK CITY
The National Community Survey, conducted on behalf of the municipal government in late 2022 and early 2023, showed fractures were forming or, worse, widening in Park City.
MILTON CELEBRATES EXCEPTIONAL CITY EMPLOYEES WITH CORE VALUE AWARDS AT SPARKLING COMMUNITY EVENT
Milton's not just pulling these compliments out of thin air, either. The National Community Survey lays out stats that put this place pretty much on a pedestal.
WILLIAMSBURG RESIDENTS ASKED TO RATE QUALITY OF LIFE, GOVERNMENT SERVICES
All residents 18 and older are invited to take the biennial Polco National Community Survey, which will be used to shape the city’s 2025/2026 Goals, Initiatives, and Outcomes, which is a planning document that expresses the city’s priorities.
HELP US MAKE INDIANA A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND AGE WITH DIGNITY!
On Aug. 5, the 2024 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults was launched. Randomly selected households will begin receiving mailed survey invitations around this time.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY NOW OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS IN ROCHESTER
The National Community Survey just opened to all voters in Rochester. The survey will be gathering insight from the community regarding city services and priorities.
ROCHESTER ASKS FOR PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
Rochester asks for participation in National Community Survey.
ROCHESTER RESIDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
“We invite and encourage Rochester residents to participate in this survey. The insights we gather will be instrumental in helping us gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters to our community, Through this collective effort, we aim to learn how we can enhance our services and better serve the people of Rochester." Jessica Schuler, Management Analyst, City of Rochester.
ALL ROCHESTER RESIDENTS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
“We invite and encourage Rochester residents to participate in this survey. The insights we gather will be instrumental in helping us gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters to our community, Through this collective effort, we aim to learn how we can enhance our services and better serve the people of Rochester." Jessica Schuler, Management Analyst, City of Rochester.
ROCHESTER ASKING RESIDENTS FOR INSIGHTS INTO CITY
“We invite and encourage Rochester residents to participate in this survey. The insights we gather will be instrumental in helping us gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters to our community, Through this collective effort, we aim to learn how we can enhance our services and better serve the people of Rochester." Jessica Schuler, Management Analyst, City of Rochester.
BLUEGRASS AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SURVEY OPEN TO BOYLE SENIORS
“We strongly encourage all eligible residents to take the survey. The more people who participate, the better information we will have to inform our plan, This is an opportunity for residents to shape the future of aging in Central Kentucky.” Celeste Robinson, Director of Aging, Bluegrass Area.
BLUEGRASS AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SURVEY OPEN TO LINCOLN SENIORS
“We strongly encourage all eligible residents to take the survey. The more people who participate, the better information we will have to inform our plan, This is an opportunity for residents to shape the future of aging in Central Kentucky.” Celeste Robinson, Director of Aging, Bluegrass Area..jpg?width=1920&height=1080&name=In%20The%20News%20Template%20(5).jpg)
LOVELAND RESIDENTS CAN WEIGH IN ON CITY SERVICES, QUALITY OF LIFE IN SURVEY
The city of Loveland has opened its biennial Community Survey, seeking feedback from residents on their perception of the quality of life in the city.
RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK THROUGH COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Loveland has released its biennial Community Survey to get much-needed feedback from residents on their perception of the quality of life in our community.
WOODLAND PARK RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT IN SURVEY
“We did have our STR work sessions and elections and everything as part of this and I do think that did play into the survey quite a bit,” Aaron Vassalotti, City Manager, Woodland Park City.
BLUEGRASS AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SURVEY OPEN TO LINCOLN SENIORS
“We strongly encourage all eligible residents to take the survey. The more people who participate, the better information we will have to inform our plan, This is an opportunity for residents to shape the future of aging in Central Kentucky.” Celeste Robinson, Director of Aging, Bluegrass Area.
GENERATIONS: COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY COMING AUG. 5
On August 5th, we will be launching the 2024 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults. Randomly selected households will begin receiving mailed survey invitations around this time.
CITY OF KERRVILLE LAUNCHES BUDGET SIMULATION TOOL
The City of Kerrville is excited to announce the launch of Balancing Act, a cutting-edge budget simulation tool designed to enhance transparency and public engagement in the budget process. This innovative tool provides residents with an interactive platform to view and modify proposed revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year 2025 budget.
WHITEHALL MAYOR DEFENDS POLICE CHIEF, DEPARTMENT AMID UNION CRITICISM OVER OFFICER FIRING
"(The officers) did not want to participate because those are tracked, and they felt they can't speak honestly, which is why we're here in the first place, So basically what they're doing is they're dismissing an anonymous 2024 survey, and saying, 'No, we have one we took in early 2023.'" Brian Steel, FOP Capitol City Lodge No. 9 President, Whitehall City.
INVITATIONS MAILED TO SELECT LOS ALAMOS COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS TO TAKE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY™
Los Alamos County, in partnership with Polco, an independent consultant and civic engagement company, is kicking off its biennial community survey – The National Community Survey™.
KIPDA TO PERFORM SURVEY ON SENIORS IN REGION
Postcards inviting residents ages 50 and older to take the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults were mailed to 9,800 randomly selected households across Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties.
JULY 2024
“I think that’s a good reality as you look into future years, To provide that same level of service, it is going to cost more in the future.” Alley Porter, Budget manager, Lawrence City.
COUNCIL HEARS SURVEY RESULTS: RESIDENTS HAPPY WITH CITY BUT WORRIED ABOUT ECONOMY
“Although economic development at 46% excellent or good was on par with similar communities, the survey item did decline over the last two years,” Brandon Barnett, Senior Survey Associate, Polco.
CITY OF ROCHESTER SENDS OUT SURVEY TO IMPROVE CITY
"It's a really great opportunity for us to hear from the community and again assess livability of our community,Livability means that we want Rochester to be somewhere that's not just habitable but desirable somewhere that people want to live." Jessica Schuler, Management Analyst, City of Rochester.
CITY OF KERRVILLE LAUNCHES NEW BUDGET SIMULATION TOOL FOR ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY
The City of Kerrville has announced the launch of Balancing Act, a cutting-edge budget simulation tool designed to enhance transparency and public engagement in the budget process.
OLDER ADULTS WANT TO AGE IN PLACE. CURRENT POLICIES DON'T MAKE IT EASY
“create communities that are healthier [where] older adults can be more engaged, more empowered, more independent, more productive [and] more vibrant.” Michelle Kobayashi, Principal Research Strategist, Polco.
CITY OF KERRVILLE LAUNCHES BALANCING ACT
The City of Kerrville is excited to announce the launch of Balancing Act, a cutting-edge budget simulation tool designed to enhance transparency and public engagement in the budget process.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY CONTINUES IN ROCHESTER
“We invite and encourage Rochester residents to participate in this survey. The insights we gather will be instrumental in helping us gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters to our community, Through this collective effort, we aim to learn how we can enhance our services and better serve the people of Rochester." Jessica Schuler, Management Analyst, City of Rochester.
CITY OF ROCHESTER - NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
“We invite and encourage Rochester residents to participate in this survey. The insights we gather will be instrumental in helping us gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters to our community, Through this collective effort, we aim to learn how we can enhance our services and better serve the people of Rochester." Jessica Schuler, Management Analyst, City of Rochester.
CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG SEEKS INPUT FROM RESIDENTS IN NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Williamsburg announced the launch of its biannual resident survey using the National Community Survey (NCS) to gather input on government services and measure the quality of life in the community.
WILLIAMSBURG SEEKS CITIZEN INPUT ON QUALITY OF LIFE, SERVICES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
Williamsburg has launched its biannual resident survey to gather input on government services and measure the quality of life in the community. The city uses data gleaned from the survey for strategic planning.
The City’s budget is one of the most basic and important ways that the City demonstrates our commitment to the community. The 2025-2026 Baseline General Fund Budget sets the structure for Anti-Racist Transformation and honors resolution No. 40622 passed by the City Council.
ASPEN EXTENDS COMMUNITY SURVEY DEADLINE TO JULY 29
“We’re very excited to conduct this survey. This survey will help city staff and City Council identify priorities for the community and improve the quality of life for Aspen residents,” Patrick Quick, director of the Strategy and Innovation Office, City of Aspen.
LINCOLN TRAIL AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SEEKS RESIDENT INOUT ON SENIOR SERVICES AND NEEDS
Lincoln Trail Area Development District is excited to announce the launch of a comprehensive needs assessment survey of older adults.
SURVEY SAYS: BROOKLINE'S SERVICES SHINE, BUT AFFORDABILITY LAGS
Most Brookline residents don’t know much about their town government, but are satisfied with the services they are receiving, according to a recent survey conducted by the polling platform Polco.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT WITH NICK MASTRONARDI FROM POLCO
Today’s interview with Nick Mastronardi, Co-Founder and CEO of Polco. Nick is a former Air Force Officer, who, along with his partner, is using both polling and science to create massive amounts of information for schools, municipalities, and organizations. The information can be used to support their constituents in the most insightful ways possible. Listen in to hear about Nick’s journey.
WELLINGTON ENHACES RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT BY ROLLING OUT INTERACTIVE BUDGETING TOOLS
“We are excited to continue the use of Balancing Act and Taxpayer Receipt, two essential tools that enhance resident engagement in the budgeting process. These tools not only provide residents with a deeper understanding of how their tax dollars are spent but also offer them the opportunity to actively shape the future of our community by sharing their perspectives and recommendations.” Jim Barnes, Village Manager, Village of Wellington.
LINCOLN TRAIL SEEKS INPUT ON SENIOR SERVICES
Lincoln Trail Area Development District (LTADD) on Monday announced the launch of a comprehensive needs assessment survey of older adults.
Abhi Nemani, Senior VP of Product Strategy at Euna Solutions, recently wrote about how governments can enhance operations through advanced analytics, community engagement, and strategic financial management.
CITY MANAGER'S 2025 RECOMMENDED BUDGET PRESENTATION
The recommended budget has a proposed property tax rate increase of 3.5 mills and an increase of the affordable housing sales tax from 0.05% to 0.10%. Please note: The sales tax increase would be a ballot initiative that Lawrence residents would vote on.
LINCOLN TRAIL SEEKS INPUT ON SENIOR SERVICES
Lincoln Trail Area Development District (LTADD) recently announced the launch of a comprehensive needs assessment survey of older adults.
WESTERN SPRINGS INVITES ALL RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN QUALITY-OF-LIFE SURVEY UNTIL JULY 31
The results will assist the Village in identifying community priorities and improving the quality of life in Western Springs. The Village is collaborating with Polco, an independent consultant and civic engagement company, to implement the survey.
2025-2026 BIENNIAL BUDGET DEVELOPMENT
Our 2025-2026 Biennial Budget development process is an opportunity for us, as a community, to come together to meet pressing community needs with a focus on establishing long-term, sustainable solutions.
Polco brings the voice of everyday residents to government leaders with award-winning community engagement services, online polls, and survey research. With Polco, leaders around the nation can make better decisions for their communities with accurate and reliable feedback.
JUNE 2024
AROUND TOWN: PINELLAS NEWS BRIEFS
Pinellas County is seeking residents’ participation in a quality-of-life survey from June 18 through July 2 to help identify future priorities for the county.
Using a tool called A Balancing Act, you will have the opportunity to select from a menu of spending proposals that you'd like to incorporate into a simulated version of our City Budget.
NEW AI TOOL TO ANALYZE PERFORMANCE DATA & TRENDS
“In a world in which everyone seems to be using AI, what I’d like to highlight is that our AI is more than just a communications tool. It is a bonified data analyst and that is the distinguishing feature. And since nobody else has all the data that we’ve accumulated, and Polly has access to all of that, it can give you fascinating trend lines and statistics about how communities are trending next to one another. It used to be just shooting in the dark. Now you can have data to quantify your performance.” Nick Mastronardi, CEO, Polco.
COMING IN JULY FOR MISSOURIANS
Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging, or MA4, (including Aging Ahead) has partnered with Polco to distribute a survey to help shape Missouri’s Master Plan on Aging and the development of related policies, initiatives, and community programs throughout the state.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY LAUNCHES ANNUAL SURVEY OF RESIDENTS
“The responses to the survey are critical, as it allows us to understand the experiences of our residents and what is most important to them.” Chris Shorter, County Executive, Prince William County.
SURVEY GIVES CITY MAINLY HIGH MARKS
The results of a citywide survey of Sartell residents reveal many good responses, most of them higher than national benchmarks.
CELINA NEWS ROUNDUP: COMMUNITY SURVEY LAUNCH, DEPARTMENTS HONORED, NEW DEVELOPMENTS
The city of Celina is launching its 2024 Community Survey to receive residents' input for the Strategic Plan. The survey is in collaboration with Polco, a reputable surveying company.
CITY OF MLT SURVEYS COMMUNITY; COUNCIL TO REVIEW RESULTS NEXT MONTH
The city’s Community Satisfaction Survey, conducted this spring, seeks to measure what works and what could use some improvement in how services are delivered.
PINELLAS COUNTY SEEKS RESIDENT INPUT FOR QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY
“The survey will help County staff and the Board of County Commissioners identify priorities to improve the quality of life in Pinellas County,” Barry Burton, Pinellas County Administrator, Pinellas County.
“We remain committed to building public trust through transparency and accountability in the development of the City’s budget. As we have in years past, we will engage in frank and thoughtful conversations about service levels to achieve a balanced budget that reflects our community’s priorities.” Elizabeth Pauli, City Manager, City of Tacoma.
ASPEN TO LAUNCH COMPREHENSIVE QUALITY-OF-LIFE SURVEY FOR RESIDENTS
“We’re very excited to conduct this survey. This survey will help city staff and City Council identify priorities for the community and improve the quality of life for Aspen residents.” Patrick Quick, director of the Strategy and Innovation Office, City of Aspen.
COUNTY LAUNCHES 2024 COMMUNITY SURVEY TO HEAR FROM ALL RESIDENTS
“We are very excited to provide an open response version of the community survey for the very first time, allowing an opportunity to hear from even more of our residents, The responses to the survey are critical as it allows us to understand the experiences of our residents and what is most important to them. This data truly has an impact on the decisions we make, informs the county’s strategic planning process and helps shape the future of the community.” Chris Shorter, County Executive, Prince William County.
SURVEY: RESIDENTS WANT LESS CRIME IN FORT PIERCE
The city of Fort Pierce revealed survey findings on how people feel about the city. It’s called the National Community Survey and results are from responses received between Feb. 19, 2024, through April 1.
THE CITY OF RICHLAND ASKS FOR COMMUNITY INPUT
“We are excited to receive more input from our community that we can compare to our benchmark survey performed in 2022. The survey will help us maintain an understanding of our services and allow us to measure our impact going forward,” Jon Amundson, City Manager, City of Richland.
RICHLAND RESIDENTS INVITED TO TAKE COMMUNITY INPUT SURVEY
“The survey will help us maintain an understanding of our services and allow us to measure our impact going forward. We are excited to receive more input from our community that we can compare to our benchmark survey performed in 2022." Jon Amundson, City Manager, City of Richland.
RICHLAND RESIDENTS INVITED TO TAKE COMMUNITY INPUT SURVEY
“The survey will help us maintain an understanding of our services and allow us to measure our impact going forward. We are excited to receive more input from our community that we can compare to our benchmark survey performed in 2022." Jon Amundson, City Manager, City of Richland.
Euna representatives to discuss new partnerships for enhancing strategic planning and budgeting and provide walk-throughs of solutions for budgeting, grants and payments.
WESTERN SPRINGS LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY FOR RESIDENTS
The Village of Western Springs will conduct The National Community Survey™ at the end of June.
GRAND RAPIDS 2024 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED
“This included openness and acceptance toward folks of diverse backgrounds, valuing and respecting residents from diverse backgrounds, attracting folks from diverse backgrounds, and making all residents feel welcome.” Joe Dell’Olio, National Community Survey representative, Polco.
THE 2024 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY™ RESULTS ARE IN!
Our local economy is thriving! Our City's affordability remains steady, and cultural opportunities are getting rave reviews!
MAY 2024
SURVEY: AGING NEW YORKERS FEEL GOOD ABOUT OVERALL HEALTH
May is Older Americans’ Month, and the New York State Office for Aging has released data from the Community Assessment Survey of Older Adults. This comprehensive survey, the first of its kind in the state, sheds light on how older adults perceive themselves and their communities. One area man remains active and working well into his 90s.
EUNA SOLUTIONS AND POLCO ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND TOOLS TO RETHINK PUBLIC BUDGETING
Abhi Nemani, senior vice president of product strategy at Euna Solutions. "The thousands of agencies we work with are eager for more useful approaches for meaningful engagement and sources for reliable data. By partnering with Polco, we are excited to offer truly full-cycle budgeting, complete from resident input to transparent outcomes."
EUNA SOLUTIONS AND POLCO ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND TOOLS TO RETHINK PUBLIC BUDGETING
Seamlessly blending Euna’s strategic financial management tools with Polco’s advanced analytics and AI, the new integrated solutions promise to transform public budgeting by enhancing budget transparency, ensuring fiscal decisions are data-driven and aligned with community needs, and increasing resident participation.
EUNA SOLUTIONS AND POLCO ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND TOOLS TO RETHINK PUBLIC BUDGETING
Euna Solutions, a leading provider of purpose-built, cloud-based solutions for the public sector, and Polco, a civic engagement and analytics company, today announced a new strategic partnership that combines Euna’s innovative budgeting platforms with Polco’s community engagement tools.
BRING GFOA'S RETHINKING BUDGETING INITIATIVE TO LIFE WITH POLCO AND EUNA BUDGET
Now, Euna and Polco have partnered to seamlessly blend Euna’s strategic financial management tools with Polco’s advanced analytics and AI. The integrated solutions transform public budgeting by enhancing budget transparency, ensuring fiscal decisions are data-driven and aligned with community needs, and increasing resident participation.
EUNA SOLUTIONS AND POLCO ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND TOOLS TO RETHINK PUBLIC BUDGETING
"Good budgeting is central for good governance and is critically relevant for residents, which is why public leaders need integrated, citizen-centric solutions,” said Abhi Nemani, senior vice president of product strategy at Euna Solutions.
"Our mission is to bring communities together around their most important topics on a single inclusive platform. We work to give leaders reliable insights through civil and constructive civic participation. Our ultimate vision is to improve resident quality of life in communities everywhere."
THE 2024 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY IS LIVE!
Help measure our city's livability and compare it nationwide. Share your thoughts and help us identify strengths and areas for improvement.
CITY OF LAWRENCE TO HOST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS FOR FEEDBACK ON 2025 BUDGET PRIORITIES
“With ‘A Balancing Act,’ community members are able to make decisions and reallocate funds among departments. But keep in mind, anyone using the tool will need to balance their interests and priorities against competing priorities from other community members as they determine how to create a budget that fits the needs of the entire community.”
CITY HOSTS ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS FOR 2025 BUDGET
The City of Lawrence is in the midst of another budget season — and we want your input! For the second year in a row, we’re using A Balancing Act, which is an online budget simulation tool, to gather community feedback on funding priorities for the upcoming year.
CITY'S ANNUAL COMMUNITY SURVEY OPEN NOW
The City of Fort Collins has released its annual Community Survey which is open now through Friday, May 31, 2024.
CITY LAUNCHES 2024 FLORENCE COMMUNITY SURVEY
“We have been hoping to conduct a community survey for several years and we’re very excited to be kicking the survey off this month,” says Mayor Rob Ward. “This survey will help the Florence City Council and staff to hear from a cross section of voices in our community, and use that information in our continuous efforts improve the quality of life in Florence. We are excited to hear what the community has to say and encourage members of our community to participate.”
NYSOFA RELEASES COUNTY DATA FROM FIRST-EVER STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF NEW YORKERS 60+
New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario, Esq., said, “The New York State Association of Counties applauds the efforts of the New York State Office for the Aging and the Association on Aging in New York for the incredible county data provided via the Polco survey. Local governments rely on the knowledge of the diversity, the needs, and the opportunities within local communities, and this data will allow policymakers to ensure they are addressing their individual populations. The incredible response rate provides robust data that is invaluable when making policy decisions, and it will be used throughout the state by local elected officials on behalf of older residents.”
NYSOFA RELEASES COUNTY DATA FROM FIRST-EVER STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF NEW YORKERS 60+
AgingNY Executive Director Becky Preve said, “The Association on Aging in New York is thrilled to partner with NYSOFA and Polco to release the county comprehensive needs-assessment survey data for older adults in New York. The incredible response from every corner of the state provides robust data elements that will be guiding elements for future policy and funding considerations.”
OFA RELEASES ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF OLDER ADULTS RESULTS
NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “The county results we are announcing include over 100 data points and information on the preferences of nearly 27,000 older adults statewide, as well as their perceptions of themselves, their communities, and the needs of their communities. While the results may be surprising to some, they confirm what many in the aging services field already recognize – older adults broadly consider themselves healthy, active, and engaged in their communities. The local results vary, and they identify several challenges for many older adults who need some assistance or support. NYSOFA and our partners across state and local governments are working to address these needs and challenges at multiple levels.”
COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS VERY FAVORABLE TOWARD CITY
"I want to highlight the fact that a lot of what this reflects is pretty consistent with what we’ve already identified within the strategic plan. That is a positive thing and there is a sense of alignment between what we put together in that plan and what we saw as the results of the survey," Anthony Brown, city administrator.
POLCO BRINGS PEOPLE AND DATA TOGETHER
Learn more about the Marketplace and what Polco can do for your agency.
TOWN PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK
Town employees work hard every day to deliver the services and programs that our residents and visitors expect and rely upon. This dedication to excellence can be seen in the results of our 2023 National Community Survey in which 83% of respondents rated the overall customer service by Estes Park employees as “excellent” or “good.”
CITY SURVEYED RESIDENTS THROUGH NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
City surveyed residents through National Community Survey to understand community’s needs and perspectives.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE
Polco describes their National Community Survey as a “comprehensive survey that allows municipalities and counties to assess resident opinion about their community and local government,” and has been used by more than 500 communities in 46 states. The City chose to utilize the NCS “Ready-to-Go” survey, which has an open participation methodology and can only be completed online.
Congrats on being featured in our 2024 Best Tech Startups in Wisconsin.
AMERICAN CANYON PREPARES FOR COMPREHENSIVE QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY
City Manager Jason Holley emphasized the significance of residents’ input. “We need your help,” he said. “This important survey provides invaluable insights into our community. The results help staff and city council identify priorities to further enhance the quality of life in American Canyon.”
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP: MENTORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Polco research, in partnership with ICMA, shows that less than 40% of elected officials and local government senior managers are women.
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF OLDER ADULTS
The statewide Comprehensive Community Assessment Survey, part of NYSOFA’s Four-Year Plan, was conducted in the winter and spring of 2023 in partnership with the research firm Polco and the Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY).
COMMUNITY SURVEY INDICATES SATISFACTION WITH SAFETY, PERSONAL ECONOMIC IMPACT AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
"Our Board of Supervisors places a great value on public safety, and it is gratifying to see that our investment in our Sheriff’s Office and Fire and Rescue is valued and recognized by the community," said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Meg Bohmke, Falmouth District. "We have also been working hard to complement the work of VDOT with transportation projects and the survey indicates resident satisfaction is going in the right direction.”
"Santa Barbara County is using our housing simulation as a standing transparency and engagement initiative for housing development."
2024 BEST TECH STARTUPS IN WISCONSIN
“Polco brings the voice of everyday residents to government leaders with award-winning community engagement services, online polls, and survey research. With Polco, leaders around the nation can make better decisions for their communities with accurate and reliable feedback.”
SPLASHSTREET BOYS — I WATER THAT WAY (OFFICIAL BACKSTREET BOYS PARODY)
Video Pardoy for Denver Water
FAQ Section
APRIL 2024
LIVERMORE CITY AIRPORT ONLINE SURVEY CLOSES APRIL 30 - FILL OUT NOW
Livermore Launches Online Survey.
GENERATIVE AI STEPS UP AS A ‘FACILITATOR’
Community engagement and civic analytics company Polco is testing its new tool Polly. The generative AI chatbot uses data from the company’s National Community Survey combined with other government research from the decennial census and the American Community Survey as well as local efforts.
FINAL DAYS: RATE CITY SERVICES, QUALITY OF LIFE IN GARLAND
The survey is a partnership with the National Research Center at Polco to evaluate City services, quality of life in Garland and residents’ priorities for the future. Responses will be used by the City Council and staff to assist with upcoming strategic planning and budgeting.
PALM COAST CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIZES FISCAL YEAR 2025 STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN PRIORITIES
Simultaneously, the city conducted the Palm Coast Community Survey through Polco, the National Citizen Survey, for all residents of the city. Results from all efforts will be utilized in adopting the final priorities on June 4, 2024, at 6 p.m.
SOUND OFF ON THE BUDGET: CITY OF LAWRENCE TO LAUNCH A BALANCING ACT
“With A Balancing Act, community members are able to make decisions and reallocate funds among departments. But keep in mind, anyone using the tool will need to balance their interests and priorities against competing priorities from other community members as they determine how to create a budget that fits the needs of the entire community,” according to a news release from the city on Tuesday.
FINAL DAYS FOR PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN ONLINE PORTION OF NEW BRAUNFELS COMMUNITY SURVEY
This online survey asks residents to provide feedback about quality of life, livability in the community, economic health, safety, transportation, and City services such as police, fire, roads, parks, libraries, and other government functions.
STALKING CRIMES UP 133% IN 2024 OVER 2023, FLAGLER SHERIFF SAYS
"As I drive around the community, I can see that [people feel safe] because people are walking or bicycling or using our trails," Staly said. "And in areas where community doesn't feel safe, that doesn't happen."
FLAGLER SHERIFF GIVES ANNUAL CRIME UPDATE, STRESSES NEED FOR MORE DEPUTIES
Staly cited some other results from the National Community Survey from Palm Coast: 84% of respondents felt safe and 84% of respondents said sheriff/policing services were good or excellent.
SURVEY: MOST RESIDENTS THINK BROKEN ARROW SAFE, MOVING IN RIGHT DIRECTION
By and large, the majority of Broken Arrow residents believe the city is a very good place to live, according to a recent survey meant to help the city prepare for its next general obligation bond request in 2026.
A BALANCING ACT: THE CITY'S BUDGETING TOOL
New this year, the City of Lawrence is introducing an online budget simulation tool called A Balancing Act to help us better understand what City programs the community values most.
OPINIONS VARY WIDELY ABOUT BI'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITE
“City Council has already given us permission to seek contracts,” King said. He explained the city is looking for three things in a developer: experience with the LIHTC, financial resources — “as in, can they pay for this?” — and availability.
REQUEST IN THE MAIL TO COMPLETE THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
The National Community Survey is a valuable tool used in cities and counties all around the United States to determine what’s going well in a place, what needs improving, and what should be the top priorities for local leaders. The City of Milton again is partnering with Polco to customize its survey, distribute it to a representative sampling of residents, then analyze and share the results.
GENERATIVE AI, BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS, SUSTAINABILITY AMONG 2024 GOVERNMENT IT TRENDS
Wisconsin software company Polco in March began field testing for a new conversational AI application aimed at bolstering public sector decision-making. Polly, the new “digital employee,” can track data metrics, recommend budget priorities and write strategic plans, which may have implications for the future government workforce.
COMMUNITY SURVEY OPEN ON NILES VILLAGE WEBSITE THROUGH APRIL 24
The village of Niles recently opened the second phase of its community survey through the village’s website as part of the National Citizen Survey, allowing Niles to compare itself to similar communities across the country.
TKPK LAUNCHES BALANCING ACT: BUDGET SIMULATION TOOL
TKPK Launches Balancing Act: Budget Simulation Tool.
BALANCING ACT: OPTIMIZED TOOL FOR BUDGET PLANNING IS NOW AVAILABLE
Balancing Act was created by Engaged Public, a Colorado-based public policy consulting firm founded in 1998 specializing in engagement-driven strategies and public policy leadership development.
2024 CITIZEN SURVEY RESULTS ARE AVAILABLE NOW
This walk-through video shows you how to review the results of the comprehensive Citizen Survey that was open to the public between January 29, 2024 to February 29, 2024.
THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE WANTS YOUR OPINIONS
The city is working with Polco/National Research Center to find out how people feel about its local government, including issues like community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety, and mobility.
WE ARE SO THRILLED FOR OUR FRIENDS AT POLCO - CONGRATS
Meet Polly, Polco’s AI analyst trained on thousands of verifiable data points specifically to serve the public sector.
MARCH 2024
CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE'S BALANCING ACT TOOL 2023-2024 (VIDEO)
The City updated the tool called Balancing Act, which aims to engage and inform residents on budget matters. The Balancing Act Tax Receipt allows users to input their property's taxable value and receive an estimated tax receipt for how their tax dollars are spent across City services.
CITY OF HASTINGS ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY SURVEY FOR ALL RESIDENTS
“We’re very excited to be conducting this survey,” says City Administrator Dan Wietecha. “This survey will help our staff and Council identify priorities for the community and improve the quality of life in Hastings. If you are one of the selected residents to receive the survey in the mail, please take it. We rely on a strong sample for our survey results.”
NEVADA COUNTY SURVEY RESULTS RANK HIGH IN PLACE TO LIVE, VISIT & RECREATE
Nevada County received favorable ratings for its desirability as a place to live and visit, its safety and its natural environment in the Nevada County Community Survey completed this fall. Wildfire preparedness, affordability, and inclusivity remain concerns.
ORGANIZED TRASH COLLECTION DISCUSSION CONTINUES AMONG SHOREVIEW CITY COUNCIL
“We had over 600 residents respond to the survey, which is our highest response we’ve had since using Polco,” said Renee Eisenbeisz, assistant city manager. “About 53% (residents) said they somewhat/strongly support and about 41% said they somewhat/strongly oppose.”
GOODYEAR HONORED FOR TAKING CARE OF EMPLOYEES
“It’s an honor to receive this recognition for our approach to the health and safety of all of our employees and their families,” said Goodyear City Manager Wynette Reed. “Our employees are our number one asset, and we believe wholeheartedly that if we take care of them, they’ll take care of our community.”
NEW AI TOOL TO ANALYZE PERFORMANCE DATA & TRENDS
“In a world in which everyone seems to be using AI, what I’d like to highlight is that our AI is more than just a communications tool,” Mastronardi told us. “It is a bonified data analyst and that is the distinguishing feature. And since nobody else has all the data that we’ve accumulated, and Polly has access to all of that, it can give you fascinating trend lines and statistics about how communities are trending next to one another. It used to be just shooting in the dark. Now you can have data to quantify your performance.”
"Public officials earnestly want to make great decisions using #data, but it's really difficult to use public sector data," says Nick Mastronardi, CEO of the engagement and analytics company, Polco.
CONGRATULATIONS POLCO ON THE LAUNCH OF "POLLY", ITS NEW AI DATA TOOL
Polly is a conversational AI analyst that will answer public sector leaders' questions, effectively adding a digital employee to the city.
Sunnyvale participates in the National Citizen Survey biennially in odd-numbered years. Conducted by the National Research Center Inc., the survey uses a national template of questions in categories such as safety, mobility, natural and built environments, economy, recreation and community engagement.
LEWIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SEEK COMMUNITY INPUT REGARDING 20-YEAR VISION
"Your input will help us set our compass course for the next 20 years ... We can then make adjustments to our proverbial ship's rudder to reach our county's shared vision of our future," BOCC Chair Lindsey Pollock said in a news release.
CITY OF SOUTH LAKE TAHOE SEEKS INOUT FROM RESIDENTS ON COMMUNITY SERVICES, PRIORITIES
The City of South Lake Tahoe initiated a resident survey to get input on government services and measure the quality of life in the community.
SURVEY RESULTS SHOW JOHNSON CITY EMPLOYEES MORE SATISFIED WITH JOBS
“Our goal should be that employees feel empowered, supported and accountable,” City Commissioner Joe Wise said. “And those three words speak to culture, and these outcomes speak to moving the needle in ways that employees feel empowered and supported, and then recognize the accountability that’s the third leg of that.”
CITY OF SOUTH LAKE TAHOE LAUNCHES COMMUNITY SURVEY
“We are excited to receive more input from the community on priorities. The survey will help us get a baseline understanding of our services and allow us to measure our impact going forward,” said City Manager Joe Irvin.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS ARE COMBATING AN UNPRECEDENTED PUBLIC TRUST CRISIS, NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS
Pew Research shows that trust in government has fallen an alarming 49 points since 1968, and research from Polco’s National Research Center suggests that overall confidence in local government has seen an eight-point drop in the last three years alone.
POLCO ANNOUNCES AI TOOL FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DECISION-MAKING
“It’s now imminently possible to unleash a public sector renaissance by putting world-class AI in the hands of nearly one million state and local government officials who haven’t previously had ready access to these datasets and analytics.” CEO Nick Mastronardi.
A MADISON-BASED SOFTWARE COMPANY CALLED POLCO
CEO Nick Mastronardi says the new tool is “changing the data analysis game by effectively adding a digital employee” to the city’s staff, who can track #datametrics, recommend #budget priorities and write #strategicplans.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE: STEADY GROWTH IN REVENUES FORECAST FOR FREDERICK COUNTY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025
“We have a proposed budget at the state level right now that significantly reduces highway user revenues that will go the counties over the coming years, and has cut significant transportation projects like US 15 construction."
COMMUNITY SURVEY AVAILABLE, RESIDENTS CAN RATE QUALITY OF LIFE
“The survey will help us get a baseline understanding of our services and allow us to measure our community’s most important and immediate needs,” said Hanford City Manager Mario Cifuentez. “We strongly encourage all residents to take the survey. This is an opportunity for everyone in the community to share their thoughts and shape the future of Hanford.”
CITY LAUNCHES COMMUNITY SURVEY TO ASSESS RESIDENT SATISFACTION
“The survey is an important tool to assist in identifying priorities that align with community feedback,” said City Manager Tina Friend. “The findings will help provide guidance into important policy decisions.”
Polco has launched an artificial intelligence (AI) tool built on nationwide public sector data that provides analytic and decision-making capabilities, the company announced today.
New AI-Powered Data Analyst from Polco Provides Instant, Actionable Insights for Governments Technologies.
NEW AI-POWERED DATA ANALYST FROM POLCO PROVIDES INSTANT, ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS FOR GOVERNMENTS
Civic engagement and analytics company Polco announced today an artificial intelligence (AI) tool built on trusted nationwide public sector data that provides powerful analytic and decision-making capabilities.
NEW BRAUNFELS SEEKS RESIDENT INPUT VIA COMMUNITY SURVEY TO SHAPE CITY'S FUTURE SERVICES
This survey, part of a wider National Community Survey initiative, is aiming to gather unbiased input from residents across the six City Council districts, ensuring each area gets its say in the city's future.
PARK CITY RESIDENTS — NEARLY EVERYONE — SAY MAIN STREET, THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SAFE
The National Community Survey, administered on behalf of City Hall and covering a wide range of Park City issues, was conducted in late 2022 and early 2023 and shows people who live in Park City consider themselves safe in the city.
CITY OF CONORADO LAUNCHES COMMUNITY SURVEY TO ASSESS RESIDENT SATISFACTION WITH CITY SERVICES
“The survey is an important tool to assist in identifying priorities that align with community feedback,” said City Manager Tina Friend. “The findings will help provide guidance into important policy decisions.”
CITY OF PALM COAST UTILIZES NATIONAL CITIZEN SURVEY TO SHAPE FUTURE PROGRESS
“We want our residents to actively participate in this survey and see it as a chance to voice their opinions on the future direction of Palm Coast. The information gathered will be instrumental in shaping our community’s priorities and ensuring that we continue to grow in a way that aligns with the aspirations of our diverse population."
REMINDER: TOWN OF HOPKINTON ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO COMPLETE HEALTH SERVICES SURVEY
Town Manager Norman Khumalo and Health Director Shaun McAuliffe wish to remind Hopkinton residents over the age of 18 to complete a survey that will help the Hopkinton Health Services Department improve health-related programs and resources for residents.
Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater invites the public to craft their own budget for Frederick County Government using an interactive tool called Balancing Act. The online tool is a fun way for residents to share their funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
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Frederick County Budget
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR OLDER ADULTS (CASOA)
iDesigned by experts and backed by solid statistical validity, CASOA empowers you to voice your needs and preferences.
THIS MORNING THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON LAUNCHED THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY (NCS) THROUGH POLCO
The City will use the results of this survey to assist in decision making for future city services, policies and projects.
"Transparency can help cultivate trust even in times when the news may not be good," Barrett and Greene write.
MUNICIPAL MARCH MADNESS! CAST YOUR VOTE
Village of Arlington Heights is constantly working for you! Using the top rated topics from our recent National Community Survey by Polco, we're asking you to vote on your favorite Village accomplishments
DOWNTOWNS NEED A MAKEOVER. RESIDENT, COMMERCIAL ENGAGEMENT COULD HELP
As the benefits of virtual meetings, order-in dining and online classes have waned, data from Polco’s National Community Survey shows residents are looking to downtowns to once again serve as a public space that can build a sense of community and spur local economic development, Kobayashi said.
FEBRUARY 2024
CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG EXTENDS DATE TO COMPLETE COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City will also be able to see how its performance compares to similar communities.
DEADLINE APPROACHING TO PARTICIPATE IN SURVEY ABOUT CITY SERVICES, 2026 BOND PACKAGE
The City of Broken Arrow is conducting a citizen survey to gauge public feedback on the services the city is currently providing and an opportunity for residents and businesses to influence Broken Arrow’s future.
ALBANY COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN: SOME OF YOU AREN'T THRILLED
Respondents were asked to rate various characteristics about Albany as well as their feelings of safety and perceptions of the community.
LARKSPUR POLL: RESIDENTS CONTENT WITH ECONOMY, PUBLIC SAFETY
The City Council heard a presentation Wednesday from Polco, formerly the National Research Center, on a community survey undertaken by 600 municipalities nationwide.
WE ARE ST, PETE: CITY ASKS FOR INPUT FROM RESIDENTS TO HELP SHAPE ITS FUTURE EXTENDED
The 2024 St. Petersburg Community Survey is part of the National Community Survey (NCS) and was developed by the National Research Center (NRC) at Polco.
SCOTTSDALE REQUESTS RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER FEEDBACK ON TWO PROJECTS
Polco allows interested residents to share their thoughts on various topics and notified of future opportunities to be heard.
CITY OF FORT PIERCE LAUNCHES THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY AND SEEKS RESIDENT'S INPUT
“This survey will help the Commission and staff identify priorities for the community and improve the quality of life in Fort Pierce.”
HAVE YOU TAKEN THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY YET?
Data from the survey will assist the Mayor, City Council and staff in making operational, strategic and policy decisions.
ST. PETERSBURG IS CONDUCTING A "PULSE CHECK" SURVEY
City of St Petersburg is conducting an online community survey. City leaders want to know what residents think about the future of the city.
WAUKESHA COMMUNITY SURVEY OPEN UNTIL FEB. 27
Experts from the National Research Center at Polco developed the survey, and it captures residents’ opinions on 10 key characteristics of a community
TOWN OF HOPKINTON ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO COMPLETE HEALTH SERVICES SURVEY
The anonymous survey is part of a strategic planning effort that plans to help the Hopkinton Health Services Department understand the health needs and concerns of residents, develop programs and policies to address those needs, and promote well-being within the community.
HOW TRUSTED ARE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS? PART ONE
About 45% of Americans have a less than favorable view of the trustworthiness of local governments.
ST. PETERSBURG TAKES "PULSE CHECK" ASKS FOR INPUT FROM RESIDENTS TO HELP SHAPE FUTURE OF THE CITY
“This critical data will help guide our team’s budget decisions and strategic plans moving forward.”
The City will use the results of this survey to assist in decision making for future city services, policies and projects.
'YOU ARE IN DEFICIT': NEW SCHOOL DISTRICT SOFTWARE LETS USERS FILL BUDGET GAPS
The program, called Balancing Act, has already been loaded with KPBSD’s financial data and shows a large red bar across the top of the webpage.
KPBSD ENGAGES PUBLIC INTERACTIVE BUDGETING TOOL AMID $13M DEFICIT
Facing a $13 million budget deficit, KPBSD has introduced Balancing Act, an interactive software that allows public involvement in budget decisions. The software offers real-time views of the deficit impact of various budget adjustments, while also outlining the limitations of the tool.
SURVEYS CAN HELP CITIES AND COUNTIES DETERMINE SUSTAINABILITY AND OTHER PRIORITIES AMONG CITIZENS
NCS data from Polco shows eight in 10 residents rate air quality positively, while roughly seven in 10 rate water resources positively, and about six in 10 rate the preservation of natural areas, cleanliness and open space positively.
SARTELL RESIDENTS URGED TO COMPLETE INPUT SURVEY
"The National Community Survey will allow the city to gather valuable data to help the city move in a direction that is guided by the input of the residents and businesses.”
QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY RETURNS TO CEDAR RAPIDS
The National Community Survey™ (The NCS™) is designed to provide information about how City government is serving residents, gauge perceptions of the City of Cedar Rapids, and make comparisons with peer cities.
GRAND RAPIDS SURVEYING RANDOM HOUSEHOLDS ON CITY SERVICES, QUALITY OF LIFE
City officials say they’ll use resident responses in the National Community Survey to improve services and as part of the discussion around the budget process later this year.
THE 2024 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR ALL PORT ST. LUCIE RESIDENTS
The survey centers on community livability and includes questions about the quality of life in Port St. Lucie, demographics, rating of local government services and residents’ use of services.
FEEDBACK SURVEYS NOW OPEN TO ALL CITY OF SARTELL RESIDENTS
The National Community Survey will allow the City to gather valuable data to help them move in a direction that is guided by the input of the residents and businesses.
WE ARE CONDUCTING THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY (NCS) FOR THE THIRD TIME
Over the next few weeks, randomly selected households across the city will receive a postcard asking them to participate.
YOU MIGHT RECEIVE A POSTCARD FROM THE CITY ASKING IF YOU LIKE LIVING IN GRAND RAPIDS — HERE'S WHY
Grand Rapids is conducting a National Community Survey for feedback on city services and quality of life.
CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS SEEKS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK IN NEW SURVEY
“Community feedback is vital to our City’s strategic planning efforts as we work to measure our progress,” City Manager Mark Washington said in a Thursday statement. “We want to know how our community members feel about living here and what their experiences have been in interacting with City Hall. Accountability is one of our core values, and building a connected and engaged community is a priority. Every voice in our community matters.”
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NEW TOOL PROVIDES INSIGHT, TRNSPARENCY FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS
With this new tool, people can simply input the amount of federal taxes paid into the Federal Taxpayer Receipt to get an estimate of how their tax dollars are distributed.
JANUARY 2024
CITY OF PRESCOTT ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF CITY-WIDE CITIZEN SURVEY
On Tuesday, the Prescott City Council reviewed results of the 2023 Community Wide Survey conducted by national polling firm Polco. Polco representatives gave an overview of their 120-page report, with three key findings to City Council at a study session on Tuesday, January 23.
SAFEST TOWN IN AZ?, CITIZENS SPEAK, FIRE LEGISLATION | TOP PRESCOTT PODCASTS
Earlier today Prescott City Council reviewed results of the 2023 Community Wide Survey conducted by national polling firm Polco.
SARTELL ASKS RESIDENTS TO COMPLETE COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Sartell has announced it has opened its National Community Survey. The city is looking for input on safety, economic impacts, and the overall health of the community.
TRAFFIC, AFFORDABILITY REMAIN KEY CONCERNS IN VIENNA TOWN SURVEY
"There are a variety of ways these results can be used," said Steven Vickers, a survey associate at Polco. "Most commonly the jurisdictions we work with use their survey data to monitor trends and resident opinion over time, measure government performance and ratings of public trust and to inform budgeting processes and strategic plans".
BROKEN ARROW SURVEY SEEKS INPUT ON SERVICES, 2026 BOND PACKAGE
The City of Broken Arrow is conducting a citizen survey to gauge public feedback on the services the city is currently providing and an opportunity for residents and businesses to influence Broken Arrow’s future.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO BUILD TRUST IN THE BUDGET PROCESS
A new survey of local government finance professionals highlights the challenges and opportunities inherent in more effective and community-centric budgeting, especially the need for data-driven and transparent practices to build trust.
WEEKLY UPDATE WITH MAYOR GOOEDE OF PRESCOTT
Polco Survey Associate Steven Vickers gave an overview of their 120-page report, with three key findings to City Council at a study session on Tuesday, January 23.
CITY OF PRESCOTT ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF CITIZEN SURVEY
The findings are that residents value the natural environment, Prescott residents feel safe and indicate support for additional investment in public safety, and some aspects of mobility could present opportunities for the city.
To better understand the needs of its residents, the City of Port St. Lucie is partnering for the seventh year with the National Research Center (NRC) and Polco to conduct the National Community Survey.
CITY OF PRESCOTT ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF CITY-WIDE CITIZEN SURVEY
Developed over 20 years ago and continually refined, the NCS is a survey of resident opinion that provides robust benchmark comparisons among communities across the nation.
CLOVIS CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 16, 2024 MEETING
The final item on the agenda was a report on the results of the National Community Survey presented by Chad McCollum, Economic Development, Housing, and Communications Director.
NEW CLOVIS LIBRARY MOVES FORWARD; SURVEYED RESIDENTS PRIORITIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Clovis has contracted with Polco every two years since 2013 to conduct these surveys on issues regarding public safety, housing, economy, utilities and parks.
The survey, conducted every two years by the National Community Survey, asks Clovis citizens, for thoughts about the economy, public safety, and general sentiment. Surveys were mailed to 3,000 residents, with a 13% return rate, or 394. That is considered “excellent,” according to city officials.
CITY RESIDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SURVEY ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The National Community Survey captures residents’ opinions on local governance and participation, also drilling down to specific issues such as the built environment, community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety, and mobility.
PRESCOTT, AZ, THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY, REPORT OF RESULTS
The National Community Survey™ (The NCS™) report is about the
“livability” of Prescott.
TOWN, COUNTY BUDGETING PROCESS GETTING UNDER WAY
A citizen survey on the budget continues online through the end of February.
OAHU RESIDENTS ASKED TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY SURVEY
The survey is being conducted in partnership with the National Research Center at Polco and in conjunction with the city’s Office of the City Auditor and will play a “pivotal role in shaping the city’s future,” according to a news release.
THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE WANTS YOUR THOUGHTS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The City of Asheville is working with Polco/National Research Center to see what residents think about its work.
RESIDENTS INVITED TO PARTICAPTE IN COMMUNITY SURVEY LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The National Community Survey captures residents’ opinions on local governance and participation, also drilling down to specific issues such as the built environment, community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety, and mobility.
THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE WANTS YOUR OPINIONS
The city is working with Polco/National Research Center to find out how people feel about its local government, including issues like community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety, and mobility.
“The report captures residents’ opinions considering ten central facets of a community: economy; mobility; community design; utilities; safety; natural environment; parks and recreation; health and wellness; education, arts, and culture; and inclusivity and engagement,” according to the staff report.
Sixty-five percent of respondents rated the overall economic health of Shakopee as “excellent” or “good.”
COMMUNITY SATISFACTION SURVEY ONLINE NOW
What should the Lakewood City Council focus on as it sets goals and priorities for the coming years?
Thrilled and grateful to announce that we are part of the prestigious #GovTech100 winners! Being recognized among top innovators in government technology is an honor.
ANNAPOLIS RESIDENTS SEEK IMPROVEMENTS TO CRIME PREVENTION AND PARKING, ACCORDING TO SURVEY RESULTS
“I’ve always said we live in one of the best places in America,” Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said in a statement. “This survey shows that, while also showing where we can make it even better. I thank all of the residents who participated.”
ANNAPOLIS RELEASES RESULTS OF COMMUNITY SURVEY
“I’ve always said we live in one of the best places in America,” said Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. “This survey shows that, while also showing where we can make it even better. I thank all of the residents who participated.”
CITY OF SARTELL, POLCO RELEASING FEEDBACK SURVEYS TO RESIDENTS
The City of Sartell has teamed up with GovTech leader Polco, an engagement and data analytics company, to engage community members beyond public meetings.
AUGUST 2022
GRAND RAPIDS HOSTS 'COMMISSION NIGHT OUT' AND DRAWS A LARGE CROWD
The City of Grand Rapids hosted its first "Commission Night Out" event in years. There were many topics on the table, like policing and housing.
RESIDENT SURVEY BEING COLLECTED IN PLYMOUTH
In an effort to collect community feedback and gauge city service satisfaction, the City of Plymouth has partnered with Polco and the National Research Center to complete a community survey, which is underway. The survey includes questions about quality of life, public safety, customer satisfaction and more.
CARBONDALE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES NEW AREA FOR TIF DISTRICT 2 TABLES VACATION RENTAL PROCESS
A representative of Polco, a Software company in Middleton, Wisconsin, presented their National Community Survey on Tuesday evening to the Carbondale City Council.
SOUND OFF: CITY OF DELAND'S CITIZEN SURVEY IS NOW LIVE
The city of DeLand announced that its biannual citizen survey is now open to all city residents this week.
CITY LOOKS FOR INPUT FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Savage residents are invited to participate in an online community survey designed to provide a baseline of how the city is meeting their needs and expectations and to make comparisons with peer cities.
JULY 2022
US CITIES PLAN TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAXIMISE FEDERAL FUNDS
The joint survey from the National League of Cities (NLC) and community survey platform provider Polco indicates how local leaders from 153 cities, towns, and villages in 47 states plan to spend funds from the US$1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
DELAND LAUNCHES CITIZEN SURVEY
This week, the City of DeLand launched its bi-annual citizen survey in partnership with the National Research Center. The survey provides valuable information to the City Commission for future policy decisions and also measures the city against other communities across the nation who have participated.
ALLEGAN COUNTY AND NON-PROFITS SEEK INPUT FROM RESIDENTS THROUGH SURVEY
Allegan County officials and several non-profit partner agencies have hired a national survey organization to gauge residents’ views on the state of the county and services available to residents.
FLORIDA CITY'S COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZED FOR ITS EFFORTS BY BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES INITIATIVE
Translating ideas and 10-year plans created by administrators in a town office into concepts that are readily digestible by the general public isn’t always easy; Port St. Lucie, Fla.’s communication department is doing it right.
LOCALITIES AIM TO TURN FEDERAL MONEY INTO MAJOR ROAD INVESTMENTS
Local governments plan to spend the majority of their Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds on roads, with water and broadband projects also getting high priority.
That’s according to a joint survey by the National League of Cities and Polco, in which 82% of respondents said they intended to spend federal dollars on roads, bridges and major projects.
SURVEY: GRAND RAPIDS RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
The 2022 National Community Survey, taken by the National Research Center between February and April, also lists aspects that could be improved on as the city continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, inflation, and social tension, the city of Grand Rapids tells us.
COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS PRESENTED TO NEW BRAUNFELS CITY COUNCIL
The results of the New Braunfels Community Survey were presented by Polco, a civic analytics firm, at New Braunfels City Council on July 11.
WEDNESDAY DEADLINE LOOMS FOR LOVELAND COMMUNITY SURVEY
Last month, the city launched its first quality of life survey of residents since 2018, in partnership with National Research Service/Polco. The Loveland survey is based on the National Community Survey, a “rigorous, high-quality” benchmarking tool used by municipalities across the U.S. to compare quality of life measures.
DAKOTA COUNTY GARNERS POSITIVE APPROVAL RATINGS FROM RESIDENTS
A healthy majority of Dakota County residents like their living situation and approve of their county’s governance and public services, according to the 2022 Residential Survey.
EAGAN BUSINESSES GIVE CITY TOP MARKS
Eagan businesses gave the City’s business climate high marks, according to a biannual business survey conducted by the National Research Center.
JUNE 2022
POLCO PORTABLE POTTY POLL: NOW THE RESULTS
Not many people took part in an online Albany poll on portable toilets. But of those who did, a majority said yes, Albany should “allow portable toilets on private property for public use.”
POLCO SEEKS MEMBERS FOR NEW NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER ADVISORY BOARD
The advisory board will be a collaborative forum of industry professionals offering insights on public sector community engagement and performance management trends. Learn more and apply by July 6, 2022 for priority consideration.
CITIZEN SURVEY SAYS: STAFFORD IS SAFE, TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS STINKS
Stafford County is a great place to live and to raise a family. But don't try to drive anywhere.
MAY 2022
SHREWSBURY TOWN LEADERS WEIGH FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY SURVEY
Key findings from the National Community Survey will be wrapped into the town’s Shrewsbury 2030 Strategic Planning Process.
LOS GATOS' QUALITY Of LIFE GETS HIGH MARKS IN 2022 COMMUNITY SURVEY
The 2022 Community Survey found that 97.2 percent of respondents said Los Gatos was an excellent or good place to live.
APRIL 2022
NEW BRAUNFELS COMMUNITY SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
The open participation portion of the 2022 New Braunfels Community Survey is now available online to all city residents to provide feedback on the quality of life, livability in the community, economic health, safety and transportation.
81% OF WAUKESHA RESIDENTS HAPPY WITH CITY IN QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY
More than 8 out of 10 people would recommend Waukesha to others and plan on living there for the next five years, a nationwide survey found.
MARCH 2022
GURNEE SEEKS RESIDENT INPUT FOR NEXT STRATEGIC PLAN
The cameras worn by Gurnee police officers, the Richard A. Welton Plaza on Old Grand Avenue, and the village's Facebook page have something in common: they all came to be after being included in Gurnee's last strategic plan.
SURVEY: 90% SAY JOHNSON CITY IS A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE
The survey also highlighted an increased satisfaction with the city’s transportation and related services along with a 7% increase in satisfaction in the “value of services for taxes” category.
CITIZEN SUMMIT 2022: GIVING OUR RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO AFFECT THE CHANGE THEY WANT TO SEE
The City of Port St. Lucie's annual Citizen Summit gives residents an opportunity to share ideas and feedback with City staff, learn about the City's Strategic Plan and seven Strategic Goals and offers a fun, interactive way to affect change.
RESIDENT SURVEY TO HELP PLAN THE FUTURE
The City of Muscatine has announced the launch of a comprehensive quality-of-life survey through March 11. The survey is available online for all residents.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
The National Community Survey asks questions of the community on certain service and topic areas. The survey was launched in two phases. The first phase was sent to random households. Now the second phase is open to all residents through an online platform!
SAFETY RANKS TOPS IN PALM COAST CITIZEN SURVEY
Approximately 80% of a sampling of 2,400 Palm Coast respondents who took part in Palm Coast's 2021 National Community Survey gave positive marks for police services, crime prevention and emergency preparedness. Ninety-four percent of respondents stated they feel very or somewhat safe in their neighborhoods during the day; nine in 10 stated they feel very or somewhat safe in the downtown and commercial areas of Palm Coast.
NEW BRAUNFELS KICKS OF COMMUNITY SURVEY WITH MAILED INVITATIONS
This week the city of New Braunfels mailed invitations to 6,000 randomly selected residents to participate in the New Braunfels Community Survey.
SURVEY RESULTS: LOCALS' ASSESSMENT OF ECONOMIC HEALTH HAS IMPROVED
Locals' assessment of Palm Coast as a place to work — and to find work — is improving, but remains below national benchmarks, according to local results of the National Citizen Survey.
SURVEY: 90% SAY JOHNSON CITY IS A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE
Three thousand randomly selected households received the National Research Center/Polco National Community Survey from Sept. 14 to Nov. 2, with 435 random residents completing the survey for a 15% response rate. Results showed overall satisfaction in quality-of-life categories.
FEBRUARY 2022
CITY OF PORTLAND CONDUCTS CITIZEN SATISFACTION SURVEY
As Portland continues to grow and develop, the city of Portland keeps residents’ quality of life a top priority. In order to get feedback from residents, the city conducts surveys every other year which enables residents to express their priorities for the city’s future.
MARION COMMUNITY SURVEY NOW OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS
Any Marion resident over the age of 18 who did not receive a copy of The National Community Survey by mail is now invited to participate in the online version of the survey.
SUWANEE HAS QUESTIONS ONLY A RESIDENT CAN ANSWER
In early February, a random selection of 2,700 Suwanee households will receive an invitation in their mailboxes to participate in the 2022 National Community Survey.
CITY OF AMERICA CANYON ANNOUNCES RESIDENT SURVEY
The City of American Canyon has launched a resident survey that includes questions about quality of life, community services and priorities for the future.
SCHAUMBURG CONTINUES TO RECEIVE PRAISE FROM RESIDENTS THROUGH NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
The Village of Schaumburg remains an exceptional place to live and raise a family safely, according to the most recent results from residents who participated in the National Community Survey (NCS).
CITY OF COLLEGEDALE REMINDS RESIDENTS TO TAKE COMMUNITY SURVEY
The Collegedale Community survey is in its final stretch and the city wants to remind all residents who have received mailers to take a few minutes to fill out the survey.
CITY TO HOST INPUT SESSIONS FOR PARK MASTER PLAN
The city will host a series of public input sessions to get ideas from residents about what they’d like to see in their local parks system.
RESIDENT SURVEY TO HELP PLAN FUTURE
The City of Muscatine has announced the launch of a comprehensive quality-of-life survey through March 11. The survey is available online for all residents.
KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED
The results of a survey given to Kingsport residents to gauge their satisfaction with the city’s services are in.
OFFICIALS: SCHAUMBURG SURVEY RESULTS REFLECT, INSPIRE SERVICES RESIDENTS VALUE
Though COVID-19 wasn't specifically mentioned in the questions, Schaumburg officials are interpreting the results of the village's most recent National Community Survey as a reflection of a high level of satisfaction with local services during the pandemic.
JANUARY 2022
SHAPE KINGMAN'S QUALITY OF LIFE BY PARTICIPATING IN CITIZEN SURVEY
The City of Kingman is conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey that is now available to all Kingman residents.
CITY OF COLLEGEDALE LAUNCHES 'QUALITY OF LIFE' COMMUNITY SURVEY FOR RESIDENTS
DECEMBER 2021
90% OF CHARLESTON RESIDENTS VIEW TOWN POSITIVELY
Analysis of a survey conducted earlier this year determined that 9 in 10 town residents have a positive view of the community as a good place to safely and enjoyably live, raise children, visit and retire.
COUNTY TO PARTNER WITH OTHER COUNTIES ON RESIDENTIAL SURVEY
Washington County will partner with Dakota, Olmsted, and St. Louis counties to perform a 2022 residential survey, after the County Board approved a joint powers agreement with those counties Nov. 30.
CODE COMPLIANCE SURVEY CLOSED, CDD THANKS COMMUNITY AND CDAB
Officials with the Los Alamos County Community Development Department (CDD) affirmed that the survey seeking input on the County’s Chapter 18 Nuisance Code closed on Monday, December 27. Survey results are now being analyzed by Polco, a third-party polling platform. Findings will be summarized in a report that will be made available to the public in February 2022.
CITY OF MLT COMMUNITY SATISFACTION SURVEY OPEN THROUGH JANUARY 10
The City of Mountlake Terrace has released a public survey that seeks input from Mountlake Terrace residents and business owners as the city measures the success of various programs and services.
EAGAN 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW: MAKING PROGRESS FOR ALL
Eagan City Council adopted the 2022 budget that will focus on the communities’ priorities of public safety, the natural environment, and local economy.
COMMUNITY SURVEY CHECKS THE PULSE OF LAGUNA BEACH RESIDENTS
Residents have until January 10, 2022 to tell the city what they really think about the city in the online Laguna Beach Community Survey.
COUNTY LAUNCHES 2021 ONLINE CITIZEN SURVEY
The county has released its 2021 citizen survey and wants the public to give its feedback on county operations and services. The deadline for filling out the survey is Jan. 6.
NOVEMBER 2021
SURVEY TO HELP GUIDE HOW LEWIS COUNTY SPENDS $15 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT MONEY
Lewis County wants to hear from its residents on how to best spend $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money expected to be allocated to the local government.
SKOKIE RESIDENTS- TAKE THE 2021 COMMUNITY SURVEY
Through November 17, 2021, all Skokie residents are invited to take Skokie's 2021 Community Survey that asks for ratings on Village services, emergency services, quality of life in the community and much more.
LOUDOUN COUNTY REPORTS LOWEST CRIME RATE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) reported the lowest crime rate in Northern Virginia and has the second-lowest crime rate in the National Capital Region among those law enforcement agencies that partner with the Metropolitan Council of Governments (MWCOG).
MILTON TO CONDUCT COMMUNITY SURVEY OF RESIDENTS
Milton is committed to understanding its citizens’ viewpoints while being responsive to their wants and needs. To that end, the city council recently approved a $19,700 agreement with Policy Confluence, Inc, known as Polco & National Research Center, to conduct a Milton Version of the National Community Survey.
ENTIRE SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Santa Cruz invites the entire Santa Cruz community to participate in a comprehensive quality of life survey.
SURVEY FINDS SUPPORT FOR PRESERVING CITY'S HISTORICAL CHARACTER
The Redlands City Council on Tuesday received its National Community Survey Results. As part of a multifaceted approach toward the development of a strategic vision for Redlands, the city manager's office contracted to conduct a communitywide survey by Policy Confluence Inc. dba Polco.
THE VOICES OF OUR TOWNSPEOPLE MATTER
I am committed to representing the townspeople who elected me mayor of Estes Park and pursuing the common good on their behalf. Gathering and processing information is essential to my fulfillment of that commitment. I gather information through various informal (i.e., meetings, phone calls, etc.) and formal (i.e., hearings, studies, surveys, etc.) means and then process it using several methods.
REDLANDS RESIDENTS SAY 4-STORY BUILDINGS OK IN NEW SURVEY
Redlands invited residents to fill out a survey this summer with questions on topics from parking to homeless solutions, building heights downtown and government transparency.
INDIANA LAUNCHES THE COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR OLDER ADULTS
The Family and Social Services Administration's Division of Aging, in conjunction with Indiana's Area Agencies on Aging, is conducting the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults.
VILLAGE OF LAKE ZURICH: COMMUNITY SURVEY SHOWS 96% RATE LAKE ZURICH AS AN EXCELLENT/GOOD PLACE TO LIVE
These past few weeks, the Village of Lake Zurich has partnered with social scientists at the National Research Center for its fourth National Community Survey.
LAKE ZURICH RECEIVES HIGH MARKS FROM RESIDENTS IN COMMUNITY SURVEY
The village of Lake Zurich was given its highest marks yet in several categories by residents participating in the biannual community survey, with 96% of respondents rating their town as a good or excellent place to live.
CITY OF EAGAN WINS THREE NATIONAL VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AWARDS
The city of Eagan announced that it won three three national Voice of the People awards.
CEO OF GROWING ONLINE SURVEY COMPANY RECEIVES STANFORD HOOVER VETERAN FELLOWSHIP
Hivers & Strivers Funds is pleased to announce that Dr. Nick Mastronardi, CEO of Polco and National Research Center has been selected as a Veteran Fellow with the prestigious Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Hivers & Strivers is a principal investor in Polco. Polco is a fast-growing civic participation technology company. The Hoover Institution is a public policy research institution that supports the advancement of personal and economic liberty and a free and open society.
THRIVE ALLIANCE SEEKS OLDER ADULT OPINIONS
Thrive Alliance is asking residents to participate in The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults.
CITY SURVEY SEEKS INPUT FOR RIVER, LAKE PROTECTION
Rochester residents are being asked to weigh in on plans to protect the city's water resources.
KINGSPORT CITY OFFERS A SURVEY TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT RESIDENTS THINK OF THE CITY
The City of Kingsport is seeking to better understand the community by offering a survey to residents of the city.
THRIVE ALLIANCE OFFERING SURVEY TO OLDER ADULTS
Thrive Alliance is asking residents to participate in The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults, designed to provide a picture of how Jackson, Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur and Jennings counties are serving older adult residents.
SHAPE KINGSMAN'S QUALITY OF LIFE: CITIZEN'S SURVEYS TO REACH RANDOM MAILBOXES NEXT WEEK
The City of Kingman is conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey. The mail-in survey is being delivered next week to a random selection of 2,700 residents to take part this year – 1,200 will be given the option to reply via a survey link or paper survey, and 1,500 can only reply through a survey link.
EAGAN WINS THREE NATIONAL AWARDS BASED ON RESIDENT COMMUNITY INPUT
The City of Eagan proudly touts it won three national Voice of the People Awards based on a national community survey taken by residents.
CITY OF KINGMAN TO CONDUCT QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY
The City of Kingman is conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey. A mail-in survey will be delivered next week to a random selection of 2,700 residents to take part this year, according to a city news release. A total of 1,200 will be given the option to reply via a survey link or paper survey, and 1,500 can only reply through a survey link.
DANE COUNTY RECOGNIZED FOR ONLINE OUTREACH
The Dane County Board of Supervisors has been recognized nationally for its efforts to engage county residents online.
OCTOBER 2021
CITY OF LARKSPUR: THE CITY OF LARKSPUR PREPARES FOR UPCOMING RESIDENT SURVEY
The City of Larkspur is pleased to announce we will be conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey next month.
WE ARE CAUGHT IN THE GREAT RESHUFFLING OF AMERICA
City leaders are seeking the community’s input so that leaders can best serve Kingsport residents.
COUNCIL APPROVES COMMUNITY SATISFACTION SURVEY
Residents will soon have a chance to provide feedback on city services and the quality of life in Muscatine.
OSHKOSH RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION, RECEIVES VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AWARD
The city of Oshkosh is making national headlines for its efforts in improving community satisfaction through online forums.
FLAGSTAFF RESIDENT SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS STRENGTHS, ROOM FOR GROWTH
Flagstaff residents continue to experience a high quality of life, but housing affordability poses barriers to residents hoping to remain in the community, a recent survey found.
JOHNSON CITY OFFICIALS ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO COMPLETE CITIZEN SURVEY
Johnson City leaders are looking to hear from the community regarding the city’s projects and progress.
EDITORIAL: KINGSPORT WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU
Kingsport residents should stay tuned for an upcoming survey to gauge their perceptions of the city and how its leaders are doing. Most residents seem to have opinions of what’s right and what’s wrong with Kingsport, and the city wants to hear them.
SEPTEMBER 2021
RIDGEFIELD LAUNCHES COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE SURVEY
Ridgefield has launched a survey to gain insight on people’s experiences in the city.
LAKE ZURICH SURVEYING RESIDENTS ON QUALITY OF LIFE
Lake Zurich is surveying residents about the quality of life in the community, their satisfaction with municipal services, where public resources should be directed and where they think the village is headed overall.
WHAT ARE LOCALS CONCERNED ABOUT? CITY COUNCIL TO PICK SURVEY TOPICS
What are Palm Coast residents most concerned about? That's what the Palm Coast City Council is trying to determine before the National Citizen Survey is sent out to residents starting in October.
POLL RESULTS INDICATE SUPPORT FOR MASKS IN SCHOOLS
Polco users and readers visiting WNA member websites from Aug. 19 to 31 were asked whether they supported mask requirements in schools. We asked this question in light of recent recommendations that masks be required in schools this fall.
PAPILLION 2021 COMMUNITY SURVEY ONLINE NOW
This week, the City of Papillion announced that the Papillion 2021 Community Survey is now available online for public participation.
CITY INVITES ALL RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Redlands is inviting all residents to express their thoughts on priorities for your government and the quality of life in Redlands.
COMMUNITY SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS FORT COLLINS' ASSETS, OPPORTUNITIES
Conducted earlier this spring, the Community Survey is an opportunity to hear from residents about their perceptions of the community. It is administered by the National Research Center and is a scientific survey that also offers insight into any disparate responses among different identities, demographics and regions across Fort Collins.
CITY OF CORONADO WORKS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Public engagement is important to both the citizens of this community and the City of Coronado. Public engagement allows the City to better identify the community’s values, ideas, and recommendations. It informs residents about important issues that local government is dealing with and informed and engaged resident produces buy-in and support with less conflict.
RESIDENTS CAN SOUND OFF ON THEIR PRIORITIES IN REDLANDS SURVEY
Redlands residents have two weeks to fill out a questionnaire, in English or Spanish, designed to help city officials prioritize work.
CITY INVITES ALL RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Redlands is inviting all residents to express their thoughts on priorities for your government and the quality of life in Redlands.
SURVEY: PEOPLE SEEM HAPPIER IN CITY NOW THAN IN 2019
New survey results indicate most respondents are satisfied with Rio Rancho and available services, although there are a few low points.
NEW POLL QUESTION: DO YOU SUPPORT WORKPLACE VACCINE MANDATES?
A new poll question asking whether readers support vaccine requirements in the workplace is available to be used by WNA members.
SCHAUMBURG TO SURVEY RESIDENTS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2018
The village of Schaumburg will measure residents' attitudes about living in the community to see whether the COVID-19 pandemic and other circumstances of the past three years have caused any changes since the largely positive responses to a 2018 survey.
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, CITY SURVEY AND OUTDOOR DINING
Senior Management Analyst Janine Zúñiga gave background on the 2021 National Community Survey, citing that the first one was performed in 2003, with follow-ups in 2011 and 2014.
SURVEY: RESIDENTS RANKS QUALITY OF LIFE HIGH IN CORONADO
Residents who responded to a comprehensive survey earlier this year say the City is a highly desirable and safe place to live, giving positive ratings to Coronado as a place to live and for its overall quality of life.
CITY INVITES ALL RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Redlands is inviting all residents to give us your thoughts on priorities for your government and the quality of life in Redlands.
F.I.S.H. RELEASES RESULTS OF SENIOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT
In April, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva released a survey to 3,000 random households aged 55 or older across Sanibel and Captiva addressing an array of topics related to living on the islands.
CITIES TAP INTO CITIZEN FEEDBACK TO GUIDE FEDERAL RELIEF SPENDING
The American Rescue Plan is delivering an unprecedented $350 billion in direct aid to state and local governments across the country, and the sheer size of their share has many leaders overwhelmed.
WANT TO SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK ABOUT LIVING IN EDMOND? YOU CAN FILL OUT SURVEY ONLINE
For households not selected to participate in a random sampling for the ongoing 2021 city of Edmond Citizen Survey, there is now an online option for residents to provide feedback.
CORVALLIS TO SURVEY COMMUNITY ON SERVICES
Corvallis is set to embark on its periodic community survey.
AUGUST 2021
TOWN OF DAVIDSON: STRATEGIC PLAN SURVEY
In 2020, the Davidson Board of Commissioners and town staff developed the 2020-21 strategic plan based on objectives that had been identified by the community. The board prioritized which areas they wanted to focus on for the next two years and settled on these six following categories:
TOWN OF NEEDHAM-WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. JOIN THE FEEDBACK TEAM
The Town has partnered with Polco, an innovative online engagement platform that lets residents provide direct input to the local government decision-making process. By using Polco, Needham is making public participation easier for residents.
CEDAR PARK CONTINUES TO BE HIGHLY DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE
As part of the City of Cedar Park's continued commitment to customer service, a random sampling of Cedar Park residents were surveyed in spring this year.
CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE: CITY SEEKS INPUT ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
The City of Eden Prairie is using Polco to gather community opinions about civic engagement.
REDLANDS PREPARES FOR UPCOMING RESIDENT SURVEY
The City of Redlands will be conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey beginning this month.
HOW CITIES ARE USING CITIZEN FEEDBACK TO GUIDE FEDERAL RELIEF SPENDING
The American Rescue Plan is delivering an unprecedented $350 billion in direct aid to state and local governments across the country and the sheer size of their share has many leaders overwhelmed.
SURVEY: MOST PEOPLE PLEASED WITH CITY SERVICES
The City of Rio Rancho’s 2021 Citizen Survey results indicated most participants are pleased with the city and its services.
SURVEY WILL GAUGE ROCHESTER PARK PRIORITIES
A survey will gauge Rochester's park priorities.
ROCHESTER CONDUCTING SURVEY ON THE FUTURE OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Residents are being asked their views on the future of Rochester's Parks & Recreation System.
REDLANDS PREPARES FOR UPCOMING RESIDENT SURVEY
The City of Redlands will be conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey beginning this month. The survey will first be available online for randomly selected residents and soon after, all residents will be invited to complete the survey by visiting the City’s website.
LAKE ZURICH LEADERS URGE RESIDENTS TO COMPLETE, RETURN SURVEYS
Three thousand Lake Zurich households will receive a survey in the mail Tuesday that village leaders say will help them better make decisions about the town's future.
WHAT DO HAVASU RESIDENTS THINK OF THEIR COMMUNITY?
Lake Havasu City residents see the city as a great place to retire, they rate the neighborliness of fellow residents as about average, and believe that access to affordable high speed internet is poor, according to the results of a community survey distributed in Havasu this spring.
COOKOUT CONVERSATIONS AND BIENNIAL SURVEY SOLICIT RIVER FALLS RESIDENT FEEDBACK AND IDEAS
The City has recently opened its fifth biennial Citizen Survey to all City residents through Aug. 27, 2021. The survey can be accessed online.
FLOWER MOUND EARNS NATIONAL VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AWARD
The town of Flower Mound recently received the “2020 Voice of the People Award for Excellence in Recreation and Wellness” from the International City/County Management Association and Polco, an online community polling and survey platform.
JULY 2021
CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO APPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY MILL LEVY
"We conducted a statistically valid national police services survey and heard pretty loud and clear from our citizens that they recognize that there's been an increase in crime, substantially, over the past few years," City Administrator Chris Kukulski said.
ESTES PARK SEEKS FEEDBACK ON MULTIPLE ISSUES THROUGH COMMUNITY SURVEY
This summer, the Town of Estes Park will be seeking community input using the National Community Survey.
EDINA STILL A DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE, THE CITY'S QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY FINDS
Edina has continued to receive high scores on its quality of life, according to a 2021 survey of its residents.
JEFFERSON COUNTY WELCOMES YOUR FEEDBACK
What housing and community needs exist in Jeffco because of the COVID-19 pandemic? What policies would make Jeffco a healthier place to live, work and play? Let us know this and more by taking BOTH the Health/Wellbeing Survey and the Community Needs Assessment Survey!
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON SURVEY REVEALS DECREASE IN POSITIVE RESPONSES RELATED TO SOME GOVERNMENT SERVICES
Results from the third biennial survey of Bloomington residents were presented at the Bloomington City Council meeting Wednesday, according to a press release Thursday.
2021 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS HIGHLIGHT RESIDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF QUALITY OF LIFE, COMMUNITY CHALLENGES
Results of the third biennial city-wide survey were presented at the July 21 meeting of the Bloomington City Council. As in 2019 and 2017, the randomized, scientifically valid survey conducted in March and April of this year gave residents the opportunity to provide feedback on their general perceptions of the quality of life in Bloomington; to evaluate City programs, services, government performance; and to identify projects or issues facing the City.
TOWN OF HOPKINTON SHARES SUMMARY OF NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY'S LIVABILITY REPORT
Town Manager Norman Khumalo is pleased to share a summary of the National Community Survey's Livability Report for the Town of Hopkinton and thanks residents for taking the time to respond to the survey.
CITIZEN SUMMIT SURVEY RESULTS: HOW PORT ST. LUCIE RESIDENTS' INPUT HELP SHAPE THE CITY (VIDEO)
Kate Parmelee, director of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, and Sarah Prohaska, director of Communications, discuss a few highlights of the 2021 National Community Survey, which was taken earlier this year by Port St. Lucie residents.
PARKER SURVEYS RESIDENTS' THOUGHTS
The Town of Parker recently conducted its community survey, which occurs every three years to obtain feedback from residents about their satisfaction with the town and its policies.
CITY OF ASHEVILLE'S OFFICE OF DATA AND PERFORMANCE UPDATES COMMUNITY ON ITS FIRST 100 DAYS OF OPERATION
The City of Asheville’s Office of Data and Performance (ODAP) was created to increase transparency in government and to empower the community and City staff to use data for equitable outcomes, accountability, and communication. ODAP has been fully staffed for 100 days and has already been involved in a number of external and internal activities to advance this mission.
EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF WANTS RESIDENTS' OPINIONS
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is asking locals to participate in its upcoming surveys.
JUNE 2021
KALAMAZOO CITY COMMISSIONERS DISCUSS RESULTS OF 2021 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
The results are in for the 2021 National Community Survey in Kalamazoo.
CITY OF KALAMAZOO SHOULD WORK TO IMPROVE TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY ISSUES, COMMUNITY SURVEY SAYS
A community survey highlighted issues that the city of Kalamazoo needs to work on, and other areas where the city is doing well, based on citizen opinions.
WHAT CAPE CORAL NEIGHBORS WANT TO SEE ADDRESSED OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS
Every two years the city takes the pulse of the people who live there to see what they're concerned about. The 2021 National Community Survey showed 92% of people said it was “essential” or “very important” that utilities be the major focus over the next two years.
OPEN LETTER TO CITY OF FATE RESIDENTS FROM MAYOR DAVID BILLINGS
I want to spend a moment with you to share with my thoughts about the National Community survey for 2021. Thank you for filling out the survey.
WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER
The current Town Board just completed its first year. And what a year it was.
ROSEVILLE RESIDENTS SAY THIS ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY
In a national survey, Roseville residents rated their satisfaction with living in Roseville among the highest in the country in several key areas including as a place to live, utility infrastructure, city services and economic health.
MAY 2021
SURVEY: EDEN PRAIRIE STILL A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE
Eden Prairie residents continue to have a high opinion of their municipality’s services and amenities.
CITY AND COUNTY OF BROOMFIELD: YOUR OPINIONS MATTER! TAKE THE BROOMFIELD 2021 COMMUNITY SURVEY
Let your voice be heard and help drive decisions for Broomfield's future by taking the 2021 Community Survey!
GILBERT RESIDENTS ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
The Town of Gilbert is asking residents to participate in its biennual National Community Survey.
SHAKOPEE RESIDENTS INVITED TO TAKE 2021 COMMUNITY SURVEY
Residents are invited to share their thoughts and opinions regarding life in Shakopee as part of the city's 2021 community-wide survey, according to a news release from the city of Shakopee.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SOUGHT FOR PARKS AND RECREATION STRATEGIC PLANNING IN CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
The City of Mendota Heights is developing a Strategic Plan that will provide long term direction and guide future maintenance and improvement decisions for the City's parks and recreation system. Please help prioritize Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation opportunities by taking this online two-minute survey via Polco.
RESIDENTS RATE HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, STRONG ECONOMIC HEALTH IN MCKINNEY
After a recent citizen satisfaction survey, 93 percent of respondents rated the City of McKinney as an excellent or good place to live, confirming they enjoy a higher quality of life than most communities across the nation.
F.I.SH SENIOR SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED
Extended through May 21, the community has the opportunity to participate in a resident survey that will allow F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva and other island organizations to have a clearer understanding of the needs being met and gaps in services to the aging population of Sanibel and Captiva.
SURVEY SHOWS PALO ALTO FALLS SHORT ON DIVERSITY
Despite Palo Alto's recent efforts to promote social justice, the percentage of residents who believe the city is doing a good job in welcoming people with diverse backgrounds is at its lowest point in nearly two decades, a newly released survey shows.
APRIL 2021
THE CHICAGO INDEX: 73% OF THOSE SURVEYED THINK CHICAGO IS ON THE WRONG TRACK
A new public opinion survey shows there's concern about whether Chicago is on the right track.
CORONADO COMMUNITY SATISFACTION SURVEY
The City is seeking feedback on its performance to help gauge community satisfaction in Coronado. The City is working once again with the National Research Center out of Boulder, Colorado, to help develop a scientifically valid survey of residents. Those residents randomly selected to participate can soon expect to receive a postcard announcing that a survey is about to be mailed.
MOORPARK RESIDENTS GIVE CITY OVERALL HIGH MARKS IN SURVEY, BUT LOWER ECONOMIC GRADES
Moorpark residents give the city's overall quality of life high grades, but lower marks in several economic areas, a recent city-commissioned survey shows.
LAKE HAVASU CITY COMMUNITY SURVEY UPDATE
Did you receive a Community Survey in the mail? Lake Havasu City values your opinion and wants to know your thoughts to help guide future decisions.
EDINA'S 2021 QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY IS UNDERWAY
The city of Edina’s 2021 Quality of Life Survey is underway. The city contracted with Polco (NRC) to develop the six-page survey. The survey includes questions about local policies and amenities, rating local government services and resident use of government services and facilities.
TOWN OF BOONE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMUNITY SURVEY SEEKING INPUT
The Town of Boone is asking for public input during the Town of Boone Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Community Survey.
SURVEY GAUGES COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS OF STATE COLLEGE POLICE, SAFETY ISSUES
A recent assessment found residents have a generally favorable view of the State College Police Department, but that not all community members share the same perceptions of the department and local safety issues.
GOODYEAR COMMUNITY SURVEY AVAILABLE
The city of Goodyear wants to hear from its residents via a 15-minute survey that includes a range of questions about the community, city programs and services. It’s an opportunity for residents to share what they love about the city and what can improve.
RESIDENTS INVITED TO COMPLETE CITIZEN SURVEY
Town of Davidson residents have the opportunity to provide feedback for the biannual National Community Survey beginning this week.
CITY INVITES ALL RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN 2O21 BLOOMINGTON COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Bloomington invites residents to participate in the online 2021 Bloomington Community Survey from April 21 – May 5.
F.I.S.H. OPENS NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO ALL ISLAND SENIORS
In April, 3,000 households with those aged 55 or older across Sanibel and Captiva received a request by mail from F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva to complete a survey addressing an array of topics related to living on the islands.
MARCH 2021
LAKE HAVASU CITY CONDUCTING CITIZEN SURVEY
Lake Havasu City is conducting a citizen survey to ask residents for their ideas and opinions about the City. The results of the survey will help the City identify what they are doing well and where they need to improve in order to meet the needs of the citizens.
RESIDENTS PRAISE EAGAN'S LIVABILITY IN NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
In Eagan’s most recent community survey, most residents gave excellent or good ratings to Eagan as a place to live, in the overall quality of life and as a place to raise children.
BATTLE CREEK-CITY ASKS RESIDENTS TO CHOOSE TOP SERVICE PRIORITIES
The City of Battle Creek wants to hear from its residents regarding which services they feel are the most important, as well as how those services are defined.
SOUND OFF ON SURPRISE SURVEY
Surprise residents who did not receive a National Community Survey (NCS) by mail can now take the survey online.
F.I.S.H TO LAUNCH SENIOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT
In April, 3,000 households will receive a request by mail from F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva to complete a survey addressing an array of topics related to living on the islands as a household aged 55 or over.
HERE'S HOW RESIDENTS RATED EAGAN IN LATEST COMMUNITY SURVEY
The city partners with an independent research firm to survey residents every two years. Eagan ranked highly among 600 cities nationally.
CITY OF MILWAUKEE TO SURVEY RESIDENTS ABOUT PANDEMIC MENTAL HEALTH
Milwaukee city leaders want to find out how the pandemic is affecting residents' mental health. They expect a new survey will find the isolation and economic challenges over the last year to have taken a significant toll.
ROCHESTER DIVERSITY AND EQUITY SURVEY SEEN AS PART OF ONGOING COMMITMENT
Dee Sabol said it would be disappointing to see the takeaway from a recent survey be that a high percentage of residents believe Rochester is welcoming.
The Diversity Council executive director said the full results show that how welcoming the city is considered depends on a person’s position. For people with low incomes or who identify as transgender, the city is seen as far less welcoming than it is to others, according to the survey conducted by Polco’s National Research Center.
PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT TOPS PALM COAST CITIZEN SURVEY RESPONDENTS' PRIORITIES
Palm Coast has many assets — its restaurants, its shopping, its tennis and golf facilities, its Community Center and City Hall — but the one most prized by people who answered Palm Coast's 2020 Citizen Survey was the one not built by human hands: The natural habitat.
LITTLE ELM WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU
The town of Little Elm is conducting a survey to gauge residential feedback on key issues in the town that will shape future decisions.
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON SEEKS RESIDENT OPINION FOR THIRD BIENNIAL SURVEY
This month, the City of Bloomington will ask residents to participate in the 2021 Bloomington Community Survey. This is the third community-wide, scientific survey of Bloomington residents, and is again being administered by National Research Center, Inc. (NRC).
RESIDENTS HAVE A FAVORABLE VIEW OF GULF BREEZE, SURVEY RESULTS SHOW
The City of Gulf Breeze completed its first National Citizen Survey™ soon after being forced to face the impacts of Hurricane Sally and the closure of the Pensacola Bay Bridge. In spite of those major life disruptions, however, Gulf Breeze residents continue to praise the city as a place to live, raise children and retire, according to a press release from the City of Gulf Breeze.
THE CAPITAL TIMES POLL: ARE YOU COMFORTABLE DINING INSIDE A RESTAURANT?
Starting on March 10, restaurants in Dane County will be able to double their indoor capacity from 25% to 50%. Limits for indoor gathering where food and drink are provided will increase from 25 people to 150. Are you ready to dine indoors?
SURVEY FINDS RESIDENTS ENJOY HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
On Monday, a Polco/National Research Center, Inc., gave the West Bend Common Council the first look at the results of a community survey that closed in January. Survey results found West Bend citizens enjoy a high quality of life, view economic health as a priority, positively rate mobility but not street repair and appreciate local government.
NEW STUDY FINDS WAYS TO IMPROVE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN BILLINGS
A group of Billings residents surveyed in a Polco study gave the Billings Police Department high marks as far as trustworthiness but generally felt the city has a problem with crime, members of the Billings City Council heard at a Monday work session.
BRIGHTON COMMUNITY SURVEY TO KICK OFF IN MARCH
Brighton’s community survey in 2021 will come in two phases beginning in March and continuing through May.
CITY OF KALAMAZOO ASKS RESIDENTS TO FILL OUT SURVEY
The City of Kalamazoo is encouraging residents to participate in an upcoming community-wide survey.
FEBRUARY 2021
CITY OF PULLYUP 2021 COMMUNITY SURVEY IS OPEN
The City of Puyallup’s first Community Satisfaction Survey is now open to all city residents.
SURVEY SHOWS 90 PERCENT OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES FEEL COUNTY IS A GOOD EMPLOYER
Los Alamos County Council will review and discuss results of The National Employee Survey™ for County employees Tuesday evening during their regular virtual session.
YOU DECIDE: SHOULD MARIJUANA BE LEGALIZED IN WISCONSIN?
The Star-Observer partners with Polco and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association on regular polling about current events and other topics in Wisconsin.
2020 CITY OF SCOTTSDALE COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
Scottsdale regularly surveys its residents to give them a chance to rate their quality of life and provide feedback on city programs and services. The results help Scottsdale set service priorities and provide comparisons with other cities.
SOUTH PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL EXAMINES SURVEY RESULTS
The city’s National Community Survey results, with data from 797 residents, is a potential tool for local leadership, but councilors said it won’t be the only one.
RESIDENTS ASKED TO COMMENT ON ROCHESTER'S RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT
The public is being asked to complete a brief survey on Rochester’s rapid transit project.
LAFAYETTE TO CONDUCT SURVEY OF RESIDENTS OVER MILLER NAME, HISTORY
Mary Miller is widely known in the Lafayette community. As the founder of Lafayette and the first female bank president in the United States, the history of Miller’s pioneer spirit has been admired for years. In recent months, however, the city of Lafayette was presented with a darker history of some members of the Miller family through a petition and information presented by some Lafayette residents.
ADVENTURE PARK TRACES ROOTS TO PROMISES MADE TO PORT LUCIE RESIDENTS
Despite a global pandemic, we’re continuing to build something special in PSL — a safe, beautiful and prosperous City for All People. While you will certainly find committed elected and appointed officials at City Hall, ones who are invested in the hopes and dreams of our community, you’ll be hard pressed to find them pursuing pet projects at the public’s expense because, instead, our team has committed to an award-winning, citizen-driven strategic planning and budgeting process to fulfill our community’s great promise.
COUNTY BOARD WEIGHS COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
The Grand Traverse County Board is hoping to use a community survey to shape how it deals with the most pressing issues in the county — affordable housing, child care and mental health care.
COMMUNITY INPUT WANTED ON CITY'S STRATEGIC PLAN
The city of Northfield is asking for the public to participate in a short survey with questions related to the city’s strategic plan for service delivery and quality of community life by using Polco, an online public engagement platform.
WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS FOR JONES PARK AND ITS GOLF COURSE? CITY WANTS YOUR INPUT
The city is looking to residents for input on repurposing Jones Golf Course, a flood-prone venue in the southwest quadrant that had long been a drag on revenue in the city’s four-course municipal golf system.
RESIDENTS CAN SOUND OFF ABOUT SURPRISE
Surprise residents can share their thoughts on living in Surprise in the 2021 National Community Survey.
SURVEY RESULTS HIGHLIGHT THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY OF GT COUNTY
A survey of Grand Traverse County residents conducted by a national company to determine the “livability” of the community generated plenty of positive responses, with higher-than-normal ratings for recreational opportunities, downtown vibrancy, the quality of local businesses, and natural resources. But the survey results – which will be reviewed today (Wednesday) by Grand Traverse County commissioners at a virtual study session – also point to several challenges, with lower-than-average ratings for cost of living, variety and affordability of housing, high-speed Internet access, government transparency, and access to quality child care and preschool.
SURVEY RESULTS SHOW GAINS, BUT AMPLE ROOM TO IMPROVE
Pasco County received higher marks this year than it did last year in numerous categories in the annual National Community Survey. Even so, substantial improvements are needed, if the county wants to achieve its stated goal of being a premier county.
JANUARY 2021
EDEN PRAIRIE: OVERCOMING COVID-19
Eden Prairie city leaders are asking for resident input to help inform decisions as they work alongside other local, regional, state and federal organizations.
CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMUNITY SURVEY-NOW OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS ONLINE
The City is now making the survey available to every resident, through our community survey provider Polco online. Feedback provided through these surveys will help the city and City Council prioritize initiatives, services, and programs
SCOTTSDALE COMMUNITY SURVEY AVAILABLE FOR ALL RESIDENTS
The National Community Survey allows residents to rate their overall quality of life and provide specific feedback about municipal services, public safety, customer service and their level of participation in community events and activities.
SAN JOSE RESIDENTS LARGELY AREN'T THRILLED WITH LIVING HERE
When asked to rate life in San Jose, residents still largely give it a “meh” or worse.
ASHEVILLE RESIDENTS INVITED TO TAKE SURVEY ABOUT CITY GOVERNMENT
How are we doing, as your City government? The City of Asheville is working with the Polco/National Community Survey company to find out.
MASTER PLAN 2040 SHAPING UP TO GUIDE O'FALLON MOVING FORWARD
In addition to the Master Plan, the 2020 National Citizens Survey was sent to 1,600 random O’Fallon households as a way to understand the broader needs of the community.
RESULTS OF FIRST COMMUNITY SURVEY
The pulse of Marshalltown was recently taken in a community survey which highlights what residents want improved in their city and how they prioritize different facets of life livability.
CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU PARTICIPATES IN 2020 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City and County of Honolulu is participating in the 2020 National Community Survey. This year’s survey includes questions about the quality of life, city services, policies and management of the City and County of Honolulu, as well as opinions on issues pertinent to O'ahu residents, such as the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of mail-in ballots, and efforts to assist the homeless.
EDEN PRAIRIE SHARES JANUARY 8 CORONAVIRUS REPORT
As the COVID-19 landscape continues to evolve and change, City leaders are using Polco – a civic participation platform – to gather resident input and help inform decisions as we work alongside other local, regional, state and federal organizations.
ROCHESTER CITY LEADERS DISCUSS PARK PRIORITIES AFTER NOVEMBER REFERENDUM
After voters approved a tax increase to improve Rochester's park system, city leaders are discussing how the new revenues might be spent.
OPPORTUNITY TO RANK 2021 PALO ALTO COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND SHARE INPUT
The National Citizen Survey, not conducted in 2019, was launched in 2020 and is currently collecting similar information on community priorities for Palo Alto. The survey was open to a random sampling of residents last month and will open to the public for general responses later this month. With this additional layer of feedback, the Council will have even more community input on their upcoming decisions on priorities and could help inform the budget process and other annual City processes and decision-making.
EDEN PRAIRIE SEEKS QUALITY OF LIFE FEEDBACK
Eden Prairie's biennial Quality of Life Survey is underway and the City is inviting residents to participate in the online survey now through Friday, Jan. 29.
COMMUNITY SURVEY OPEN TO ALL LOUDOUN RESIDENTS
An online version of the Loudoun County 2021 Community Survey is now open to all Loudoun County residents at loudoun.gov/surveythrough Feb. 1.
SCOTTSDALE IS SEEKING RESIDENT FEEDBACK-COMMUNITY SURVEY CLOSES FEBRUARY 4
An online survey is open to all city residents as part of Scottsdale's bi-annual effort to collect opinions and feedback from the community. The information is used by the city and City Council to prioritize initiatives, services and programs.
DECEMBER 2020
CHARLOTTE COUNTY ASKING RESIDENTS TO COMPLETE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
Charlotte County wants people who live there to participate in the National Community Survey.
CHANHASSEN RESIDENT PRAISE CITY, PARKS AND RECREATION IN NEW SURVEY
Overall, residents are happy with their life and services provided in Chanhassen, according to the latest community survey results released in December.
GULF BREEZE BEGINS CITIZEN SURVEY PROCESS
The City of Gulf Breeze is asking the community to participate in The National Citizen Survey™ that is designed to provide a baseline of how the City government is serving residents, to gauge perceptions of the City and to make benchmark comparisons with peer cities.
MORRISTOWN CITY OFFICIALS RECOGNIZED
Morristown city officials have garnered two prestigious awards, the Voice of the People award given for implementing suggestions from city government’s annual citizen survey, and the Government Finance Officers Association award for superior budget reporting.
PANAMA CITY BEACH CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES ITS FIVE-YEAR BUDGET PLAN
The new year is quickly approaching which means it is time to look toward the future, that is exactly what the Panama City Beach City Council is doing.
LOUDOUN COUNTY COMMUNITY SURVEYS COMING
Loudoun County is asking residents to participate in The National Community Survey, in which the local government asks residents their views on government services, the county’s quality of life and priorities for government initiatives.
FROM LIBRARIES TO COST OF LIVING: SEE WHERE ANN ARBORITES RANK CITY HIGHEST AND LOWEST
Ann Arbor residents rate the community highly, with 92% considering it a good or excellent place to live, but they also see room for improvement in services and cite high cost of living, according to a new city survey.
LOS ALAMOS COUNTY RELEASES 2020 CITIZEN SURVEY, SOME SURPRISES
A recent survey of 600 people in Los Alamos County indicates that residents enjoy a high quality of life and feel safe in their community.
ROCHESTER CITY LEADERS WANT YOUR FEEDBACK ON A NEW COVID-19 SURVEY
A new survey asks you questions about the impacts the pandemic has made on you and your family and it's open to everyone in the Med City.
HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH CHARLOTTE COUNTY AND ITS GOVERNMENT?
It’s that time: to share your opinions of Charlotte County with a national survey.
ORMOND BEACH CITY MANAGER NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
Just in time for the holidays, Ormond Beach's City Manager Joyce Shanahan was recognized nationally for her dedication to local government.
CITY OF DECORAH IS SEEKING INPUT ABOUT ITS RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The City of Decorah is participating in a community survey about its continuing efforts to respond to the COVID pandemic.
LOS ALAMOS COUNTY 2020 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
Los Alamos County’s bi-annual citizen survey results are now available for the public to review.
NOVEMBER 2020
SURVEY: MORE THAN 50% OF WILLIAMSBURG RESIDENTS SURVEYED CONCERNED ABOUT COST OF HOUSING
Increasing numbers of Williamsburg residents are experiencing housing cost stress and are pessimistic about their economic futures while retaining high levels of confidence in local government, according to the 2020 National Community Survey.
HELP CHART SEDONA'S FUTURE BY TAKING THE CITY'S COMMUNITY SURVEY
The city of Sedona invites all residents to participate in an online, comprehensive quality of life survey beginning Oct. 28, 2020. Residents may complete the survey by visiting www.sedonaaz.gov/2020survey.
BILLINGS SEEKING RESIDENTS' OPINIONS ON POLICE SERVICES
The City of Billings is asking residents to participate in a National Police Services Survey to help gauge resident satisfaction with Billings’ Police Department services and to make comparisons with communities across the nation.
PANAMA CITY BEACH SURVEY SHOWS TRAFFIC IS MAIN CONCERN
The results of the city's first citizens survey are in, and most people are not pleased with the overall flow of traffic.
CITY OF SEDONA ASKS FOR LOCAL'S VIEWS
The city of Sedona wants to know what’s on your mind. At the end of last month the city posted a comprehensive community survey on its website. The results are used by staff and the Sedona City Council in a variety of ways to gauge the views and thoughts of residents.
HELP DIRECT ANN ARBOR'S FUTURE BUDGET AND SPENDING
Should the City spend more on street repairs and maintenance, or more on pedestrian safety and affordable housing?
PASCO PINELLAS COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF OLDER ADULTS
The Community Assessment Survey of Older Adults, or CASOA, is a printed survey that was sent to 10,000 randomly selected households across every Pinellas and Pasco zip code in which at least one resident was known to be aged 60 and over.
CITY RESIDENTS ASKED TO GIVE FEEDBACK ABOUT POLICE SERVICES
The City of Billings is partnering with Polco to implement a citywide police services survey and provide a platform for resident engagement.
HELP DIRECT ANN ARBOR'S FUTURE BUDGET AND SPENDING
Should the City spend more on street repairs and maintenance, or more on pedestrian safety and affordable housing?
CITY OF BILLINGS SEEKS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK THROUGH SURVEY
With the new public safety mill levy in place, the City of Billings is looking to maximize resources in the police department and make comparisons with other communities across the nation. To do that, they want to hear from Billings residents.
OCTOBER 2020
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: POLCO POLL
Who won the September 29 presidential debate?
PALM COAST WINS AWARD BASED ON RESIDENT SURVEY INPUT
The Polco software company and the and the International City & County Management Association have announced the city of Palm Coast a winner in the Voice of the People Awards.
THREE WAYS COVID-19 IMPACTS MILLENNIALS DIFFERENTLY THAN BOOMERS
We know that COVID-19 mortality rates rise with age. But although the pandemic has huge implications for residents of all ages, there is much less news about generational differences in emotional, physical, and economic wellbeing.
COMMUNITY INCLUSION AND RACIAL EQUITY SURVEY CLOSES FRIDAY
Residents are reminded that the Community Inclusion and Racial Equity Survey will close this Friday, Oct. 9. The survey is available on-line.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS POLCO POLL
Who won the Vice Presidential Debate?
HOW LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CHALLENGE
For public sector employees, employee benefits provide a significant competitive tool that counteracts the lure of higher salaries in the private sector. Proof of this comes from a summary of data compiled over the last five years by National Research Center (NRC) at Polco, which provides survey research services for public sector organizations and offers an online engagement platform.
LIFE IN SAVAGE: ECONOMIC HEALTH, TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS REFLECTED IN COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
Savage’s latest community survey results are in and show the majority of residents continue to enjoy life in Savage.
TOWN OF ASHLAND WINS TWO AWARDS FROM VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
The National Research Center (NRC) at Polco and the International City & County Management Association (ICMA) recently announced at the ICMA Annual Conference, that the Town of Ashland received this year’s 2020 Voice of the People Awards (VOP)- including the winning award for Transformation in Natural Environment and the finalist award for Transformation in Community Engagement.
PASCO COUNTY LAUNCHES COMMUNITY MEETINGS, ONLINE CITIZEN SURVEY
SWOT analysis is a study undertaken by an organization to identify its internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as its opportunities.
PALM COAST CITY OFFICIALS TURN TO RESIDENTS FOR FEEDBACK
City officials will ask residents for feedback with its citizen survey set to go out in January.
FLOWER MOUND RECEIVES TWO VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AWARDS
The town of Flower Mound recently won two Voice of the People awards for “Excellence in Recreation and Wellness” and “Transformation in Education and Enrichment.”
PLYMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The Plymouth Police Department was awarded the 2020 Voice of the People Award for Safety Excellence. The national award recognizes the high marks residents gave police services and safety in the National Community Survey.
CITY OF ANN ARBOR SURVEY SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON PUBLIC INPUT ON BUDGET PRIORITIES
The city of Ann Arbor released a new Priority Based Budgeting Survey on Monday which seeks to gauge public opinion on city spending.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS POLCO POLL
Who won the Oct. 22 Presidential debate?
SEPTEMBER 2020
'WISBUSINESS: THE SHOW' FEATURES POLCO'S NICK MASTRONARDI
The latest episode of “WisBusiness.com: The Show” spotlights U.S. Air Force veteran and former White House staffer Nick Mastronardi of Polco, a platform for improving how community leaders seek citizen input on important topics.
ST. CHARLES, BATAVIA RESIDENTS GIVE THEIR TOWN HIGH MARKS ON SURVEYS
Survey says ...? Residents of Batavia and St. Charles are extremely pleased with where they live.
CITY SHARES NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
This scientific survey was sent to a randomly selected 3,000 residents, evenly spread out in each of the seven wards.
TOWN OF HOPKINTON COMMUNITY SURVEY
The Town is undertaking a survey of resident opinions about community and services in collaboration with the National Research Center.
FRANKLIN WINS AWARDS BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS
National Research Center (NRC) at Polco and the International City & County Management Association (ICMA) have announced the city of Franklin is the winner of two Voice of the People (VOP) Awards for excellence in education and enrichment and excellence in community engagement.
AUGUST 2020
PANAMA CITY BEACH UNVEILS FIRST STRATEGIC PLAN, CITY MANAGER DUBS IT A 'ROAD MAP'
For the first time in its 50-year history, Panama City Beach has a strategic plan.
RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE CENTER ASKING FOR PUBLIC FEEDBACK IN NEW SURVEY
The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management is asking the public to complete a short survey to collect feedback from users of the Recycling and Solid Waste Center.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: POLCO POLL
Do you think Joe Biden made the right pick for his Vice Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris?
CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS CREATES SURVEY TO GATHER INPUT FOR CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD
The City of Cedar Rapids is asking residents for input on a survey for an independent Citizen Review Board.
CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS CREATES SURVEY TO GET INPUT FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
The city of Cedar Rapids launched a survey for residents to provide input about a citizens review board and information about their interactions with the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
THE PROCESS OF PUTTING TOGETHER A CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD BEGINS IN CEDAR RAPIDS
The City of Cedar Rapids is getting closer to creating a Citizens Review Board and now they’re collecting data about people’s experience with officers. They say putting this board together is a community effort, and now they’re asking all residents to take a survey, which will help officials figure out the best way to conduct this.
JULY 2020
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: POLCO POLL
Do you agree with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide order requiring that masks be worn in public?
FORWARD LOOKOUT: POLCO POLL
The Dane County board wants input on how large the county board should be – your thoughts?
CHARLESTOWN DECIDES NOT TO PURCHASE BEACHFRONT PROPERTY; OLD MILL ROAD REDO PUT ON HOLD
The council voted to ask National Research Center, the firm selected to conduct a town-wide survey of residents, to advise the town on the best way to proceed with the public consultation process during the COVID-19 pandemic, when large gatherings are prohibited.
CEDAR RAPIDS ANNOUNCES FRAMEWORK TO FORM CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD
The City of Cedar Rapids has developed a 90-day plan for public engagement to establish the framework for an independent Citizen Review Board.
O’FALLON TO UPDATE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR CLEARER FUTURE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Because things have changed in the past 14 years, O’Fallon needs to update its overall Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2006, for a clearer direction on future development.
CITY SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON WATER ST. CLOSURE BETWEEN BRIDGE SQUARE AND THE DAM
The City of Northfield is asking for input on permanently closing Water Street between Bridge Square and the dam, or seasonally closing it.
COUNTY BOARD BEGINS TO PLAN FOR REDISTRICTING PROCESS
The Dane County Board is taking steps to ensure its redistricting process is nonpartisan once census data is collected in the spring of 2021, and the board is seeking public opinion about its size.
CITY OF PASCO COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
The City of Pasco has released the results of the National Community Survey, a biennial survey the City has done since 2005. The City contracts with the National Research Center (NRC) in Colorado to conduct the survey in Pasco; previous survey information has been used in developing City Council goals.
DE PERE LAUNCHES SURVEY FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON RACIAL JUSTICE, INCLUSIVITY
The City of De Pere is launching a new online survey to learn more about racial justice in the community.
JUNE 2020
MARION RESIDENTS MORE COMFORTABLE EATING EATING OUTDOORS, SHOPPING SIDEWALK SALES
Half of Marion residents would feel very uncomfortable eating indoors at a restaurant or going to the gym, while a quarter would feel very uncomfortable going to a retail store, according to a recent survey conducted by the Marion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: POLCO POLL
Should Texas cities be allowed to set their own requirements for wearing face masks in public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus?
WHAT’S CEDAR RAPIDS’ NO. 1 PROBLEM? STREET REPAIR, RESIDENTS SAY IN SURVEY
Cedar Rapids residents want more progress on repairing local streets, even as Paving for Progress makes headway on repairing roads.
LOUISVILLE CITY COUNCIL SEES INCREASE IN SATISFACTION WITH PROGRAMS, SERVICES
Louisville City Council on Tuesday received responses to its citizen survey, which indicated residents are pleased with the city’s programs and services.
WAUNAKEE SURVEYS RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF EQUITY, INCLUSION
The Village of Waunakee has launched a survey in hopes of gauging residents’ perceptions of equity and inclusion. The survey is intended to help village government listen and learn about matters of equity and inclusion in the village and to help establish some baseline information from which to measure improvement over time
WISPOLITICS.COM: WISCONSIN’S PREMIER POLITICAL NEWS SERVICE
Is Tommy Thompson a good choice to lead the UW System?
CITY OF BRYAN SEEKING OPINIONS ABOUT FACE MASK REQUIREMENTS
The city of Bryan is accepting feedback from residents about whether masks should be required in businesses.
FRISCO RESIDENTS PUSH FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SUSTAINABILITY IN COMMUNITY SURVEY
In March, Frisco pushed out a comprehensive quality of life survey to residents hoping to get vital feedback to inform the town’s direction into the future. Residents — and even a few out-of-towners — got a chance to voice opinions and concerns about everything from safety, community design, governance, health and more.
MAY 2020
EAU CLAIRE CITY MANAGER DELAYS RETIREMENT TO HELP WITH COVID-19
Eau Claire City Manager Dale Peters has delayed his retirement to help Eau Claire with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eau Claire City Council is seeking input on the best qualities for the role of city manager as the position is still open.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS POLL: COVID-19 RESPONSE
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is easing restrictions put in place during the coronavirus pandemic by allowing hair and nail salons and barbershops to open on Friday, May 8. Do you agree with his decision?
BEAUMONT ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Beaumont is asking residents to participate in a community survey. The survey is designed to provide a baseline of how the city government is serving residents, to gauge perceptions of the City, and to make comparisons with peer cities.
MARION ISSUES SURVEY TO RESIDENTS TO UNDERSTAND COMFORT LEVELS AS BUSINESSES REOPEN
A new online survey could help businesses owners and community leaders in Marion understand the comfort level of residents as businesses prepare to reopen.
TAKE A SURVEY REGARDING THE BUDGET IMPACTS OF COVID-19
Let the City know what you think about the future of Creekside Community Center and the Bloomington Motor Vehicle Office. Your feedback is important as the City considers closing the facilities due to financial challenges in 2020 and beyond.
OEDIT JOINS NATIONAL AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO CAPTURE THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES COVID-19 POSES TO COLORADO’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, in partnership with POLCO and Downtown, Colorado Inc. (DCI), has released a Colorado COVID-19 Business Survey. Recorded from April 10 to April 30 during the peak of the state’s economic interruption, the survey chronicles the economic challenges facing Colorado businesses.
MISSOULA COUNTY LAUNCHES SURVEY TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS
Missoula County is launching a survey this week to gather feedback from residents on their quality of life, the delivery of county services, safety, transportation, the economy and the natural environment, among other topics. The county is working with the National Research Center to conduct the survey, which aims to help county leaders better understand the needs of the communities they serve, according to a press release
SURVEY TO ADDRESS SERVICES IN MISSOULA COUNTY
Residents across Missoula County will receive mailed surveys this week asking them to provide feedback to help county leaders better understand the broader needs of the communities they serve. The county is working with the National Research Center to conduct the survey and analyze the results.
POLCO PARTNERS WITH WNA TO OFFER WISCONSIN NEWSPAPERS VALUABLE READERSHIP DATA
Since October, the online civic engagement platform Polco has partnered with the Wisconsin Newspaper Association to equip newspapers across the upper-midwestern state with valuable data and polling information on their readers.
APRIL 2020
WYOMING COUNCIL LOOKS AT COVID-19’S AFFECT ON CITY
Wyoming City Council reviewed the results of a survey on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the city as part of its meeting held Tuesday, April 21.
SURVEY SEEKS COVID-19 IMPACTED BUSINESSES
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade is conducting a statewide survey for businesses impacted by COVID-19.
POLCO POLL: DO YOU SUPPORT THE EXTENSION OF GOV. EVERS’ ‘SAFER AT HOME’ ORDER IN WISCONSIN?
Share your opinion on this topic by clicking into the link.
BEAUMONT’S COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Beaumont is asking residents to participate in its upcoming community survey. The scientific survey is designed to provide a baseline of how the city government is serving residents, to gauge perceptions of the city and to make comparisons with peer cities.
BEAUMONT RESIDENTS COULD RECEIVE COMMUNITY SURVEY IN THE MAIL
Approximately 2,500 Beaumont residents should be receiving a community survey in the mail from the city of Beaumont that will ask them about their perceptions of the city and how it compares with other peer cities.
JESSIE OPOIEN: WE HOPE YOU’LL PARTICIPATE IN A NEW SERIES OF READER POLLS ON KEY ISSUES
Polling can also offer valuable insights into people’s priorities and concerns and how those evolve over time. Polls don’t predict the future, but they do offer a snapshot of the mood at particular moments. That’s why The Cap Times is excited to partner with Polco, a civic communication company founded by technologically-minded former public servants, based here in Madison. You may already be aware of them, since they’ve been working with other news media and local governments in Wisconsin.
March 2020
HONOLULU’S SPENDING ON HOMELESS STAGNATES EVEN AS PROBLEM PERSISTS
As Oahu continues to struggle with one of the worst rates of homelessness in the nation, Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s final budget proposal as mayor includes little new funding to tackle the problem.
SURVEY OF CHANHASSEN RESIDENTS SHOWS SUPPORT FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS LEVY
Chanhassen residents would support a park bond referendum, according to a city survey conducted late last year.
LOUISVILLE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES 2020 COMMUNITY SURVEY QUESTIONS
Louisville City Council last week approved questions some residents will see on a community survey in the next couple of months.
MIDDLETOWN TO OUTLINE MANY CHALLENGES IN STRATEGIC PLAN
Town Council members and department heads drew from a recent survey of town residents during an almost four-hour long strategic planning session Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS EARNS HIGH MARKS IN COMMUNITY SURVEY
Results of a recent community survey showed Grand Rapids residents have a positive view of living in Michigan’s second-largest city.
WOODINVALE QUALITY OF LIFE RATED HIGHLY
Woodinville residents enjoy a high quality of life, feel safe in their community, prioritize mobility and value the city’s overall economic health, according to a survey conducted by the National Research Center. Areas of improvement include quality affordable housing and traffic flow throughout town.
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SURVEY FOR 2020 BEGINS
Starting today Richfield residents are being asked to participate in the 2020 Richfield Community Survey, administered by the National Research Center. The survey will measure resident satisfaction around quality of life, city services, programming and amenities. In addition to the online option, the survey has also been mailed to 2,500 residents.
PAUL FANLUND: THE CAP TIMES IS IN AN ERA OF ‘OPEN WATER’-HOW ARE WE DOING?
When I’m asked how my career in journalism has evolved, I often use this analogy: Early on, it felt like being on railroad tracks. Today, it’s like being on open water.
February 2020
WALNUT CREEK RESIDENTS GIVE CITY HIGH MARKS IN NATIONAL SURVEY
Most of the news was good, some of it was disappointing and very little of it was a surprise, with the 2019 National Community Survey results showing Walnut Creek residents love their downtown, schools, open spaces and general quality of life, and don’t like traffic congestion.
SURVEY SAYS: JUPITER RESIDENTS LUKEWARM ON INDOOR REC DEVELOPMENT; WORRY OVER TRAFFIC
Residents are pretty pleased with their town, generally giving Jupiter high marks across the board on a recent survey.
MO CITY SURVEYING CITIZEN SATISFACTION
Missouri City residents have the opportunity to make their voices heard regarding the future of their community.
APACHE JUNCTION RESIDENT SURVEY UNDERWAY
The City of Apache Junction is conducting a comprehensive quality-of-life survey and information about the survey is in the mail.
APACHE JUNCTION RESIDENT SURVEY ENTERS ONLINE PHASE
Residents of the city of Apache Junction are invited to respond to a comprehensive quality of life survey the city is conducting.
January 2020
CITY OF OAKLEY ASKS FOR RESIDENT FEEDBACK
The Oakley City Council and staff are inviting residents to chime in regarding various aspects of city operations.
600 PLUS RESIDENTS KICKED OFF DECATUR’S 2020 STRATEGIC PLAN
More than 600 Decatur residents gathered together Thursday evening at the Marriot Courtyard’s Decatur Conference Center to kick off the city’s 2020 strategic planning process. The last plan was released in 2010. Mayor Patti Garrett opened up the night saying that she was delighted to see so many people in the audience.
OAKLAND COUNTY SURVEY ASKING RESIDENTS TO RANK MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES
Oakland County leaders want residents to make their voices heard. Through Jan. 10, residents can visit www.OakGov.com to access the county’s Citizen Survey 2020.
SURVEY GIVES CITIZENS CHANCE TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS
Making any decision without the necessary information is an easy way to make bad decisions. How can you effectively know what to improve or what should stay the same without asking the people who deal with those issues everyday? The answer is you can’t.
NORTHPORT RESIDENTS RATE CITY QUALITY OF LIFE HIGHLY
Eight in 10 residents of the city of North Port rated the quality of life good or excellent, according to the recently released 2019 version of the National Community Survey.
BOISE POLICE TO RAMP UP TRAFFIC SAFETY ENFORCEMENT
A 2020 goal for the Boise Police Department focuses on the fact that traffic safety is key to neighborhood safety. According to a Boise Police Department news release, officers across the city will be paying increased attention to traffic violations at major intersections, school zones, and neighborhoods.
IN THE CITY: COMMUNITY SURVEY REVEALS STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE SERVICES
Since 2011, the city of Fort Collins has conducted a Community Survey in order to hear directly from residents about their satisfaction with community amenities, their local government, and the overall quality of life in Fort Collins.
The City is partnering with independent consultant Polco to administer the survey which includes questions about quality of life, important characteristics of the community, and services provided by the City of Collegedale. The instrument, known as the National Community Survey™, is a cost-effective survey of resident opinion and an important benchmarking tool that allows for comparison among communities.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CANANDAIGUA? SOON, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE YOUR ANSWERS
OAHU RESIDENTS INVITED TO ANSWER 2021 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
Oahu residents are invited to answer the 2021 National Community Survey.
MARION SEEKS RESIDENTS' OPINIONS THROUGH NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY
This month, the city of Marion is asking residents to participate in The National Community Survey. The survey is designed to evaluate how Marion’s government is serving residents, gauge perceptions of the city and make comparisons with peer local government agencies.
LEMONT OFFERS 2021 COMMUNITY SURVEY
The Village of Lemont is offering a 2021 community survey to residents. According to the village, during the first quarter of 2022, the village board and senior staff will begin a strategic planning and goal setting process.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY ASKING FOR INPUT ON QUALITY OF LIFE, COVID-19 RESPONSE AND MORE
How do you feel about Montgomery County’s local government? County leaders are looking for answers with their biennial survey on everything from traffic to COVID-19
PALM COAST RESIDENTS INVITED TO TAKE SURVEY
City of Palm Coast residents are invited to have their voice heard on what they would like the future of Palm Coast to look like by taking the 2022 National Citizen Survey from January 7 through January 21.
COMMUNITY SURVEY PROCESS UNDERWAY IN MARION
Marion is asking residents to participate in its National Community Survey this month.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT THROUGH SURVEY
St. Louis County seeks public input in a survey to be mailed out within the next week.
LAST DAY TO CHIME IN: SURVEY CLOSING FOR LAGUNA BEACH RESIDENTS
Just one more day to have your say in Laguna Beach. Residents have until Monday to tell the city what they really think about the city in the online Laguna Beach Community Survey.
CITY OF MILFORD RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE SURVEY
City of Milford officials are pleased to announce they will be conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey this month. The survey will be available online for randomly selected residents and soon after, all residents will be able to complete the survey by visiting www.cityofmilford.com.
SURVEY ILLUMINATES POOR MORAL AMONG SOME LAGUNA BEACH POLICE EMPLOYEES
The Laguna Beach Police Employees’ Association issued the survey to its members after the City Council contracted a research firm, Polco, to survey city employees-in-general and police employees specifically last July. The Polco survey results were presented in a format that mostly highlights positive or affirmative responses.
CITY SEEKS SURVEY RESPONSES
Each year, the city of Morristown asks residents to participate in the National Citizen Survey. Results from the survey guide your local government in making decisions for the future of Morristown.