The economy dominates the Squamish public agenda, states the 2012 citizen satisfaction survey.
When 300 residents were asked what is the most important issue facing the community, 28 per cent of the Ipsos Reid survey participants answered "economy." That's an increase from the 17 per cent in 2006, said Catherine Knaus, the Canadian market researcher's associate vice president.
The 2012 municipal satisfaction survey marked the second time the District of Squamish took part in the cost-shared, multi-municipality questionnaire. Interviews took place in May, and the results are accurate to within plus or minus 5.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
"The survey is an overview of citizen actions, needs and satisfaction levels," Knaus told council at its Committee of the Whole meeting on June 26.
Growth and development, which topped the list in 2006, followed the economy on people's minds in the 2012 survey. Squamish's main concerns differed from the provincial norm, in which most British Columbians marked transportation as their primary issue.
"Crime was at the bottom of the package for Squamish," Knaus said, noting that crime rates as a more serious issues province-wide.
Citizens' satisfaction with the service they receive for their tax dollars also dropped. In 2006, 79 per cent of Squamoleons thought they got very good or fairly good value for their tax dollars. This time around that number sat at 69 per cent. That is lower than levels across B.C., which sit at 78 per cent, Knaus said, adding the norm is the average of provincial municipalities' surveys over the past five years.
Even though citizens' tax money-to-services contentment dropped, most residents would endorse tax increases to maintain service levels rather than cut services. Fifty-five per cent of Squamoleons indicated they would support higher municipal bills - 24 per cent to enhance service levels and 31 to maintain service levels.
When asked what type of district information residents want to know more about, 19 per cent stated none and 20 per cent stated they didn't know. These are disturbing numbers, Mayor Rob Kirkham said, particularly if residents are simply disengaged.
Only three per cent of participants noted they would like to receive information through social media. Coun. Susan Chapelle questioned whether that figure was skewed because historically the district hasn't used such communication methods. The municipality should do a better job letting residents know the many ways they can tap into district's projects, she said.
"I find that some of the results lead you in a direction you won't want to head down," Chapelle said, adding that the district shouldn't disregard social media because of its low percentage.
The district's website redevelopment will play a key role in boosting that number, municipal spokesperson Christie Smith noted.
Overall, 96 per cent of those surveyed were happy with the quality of life in town.
"There is also a sense of optimism in terms of the direction of quality," Knaus said.
