CITIZEN SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE

Sarasota, FL: The vast majority of Sarasota residents are pleased to be living in the City of Sarasota. That’s according to results from the 2006 City of Sarasota Citizens Survey. “It certainly affirms what we all know – that this is a great place to live,” said City Manager Michael McNees.

The annual survey, conducted by the National Research Center in Boulder, CO, shows many residents feel good about the following quality of life issues:

· 75% - responded that Sarasota is either an excellent or good place to live
· 80% - responded that the overall appearance of Sarasota is either excellent or
  good
· 79% - responded that the opportunities to attend cultural activities are
  excellent or good
· 81% - stated that solid waste collection is excellent or good
· 77% - stated that recycling collection is excellent or good

Areas where citizens responded with a rating of “fair” or below include:

· Affordable housing
· Public parking
· Land use, planning and zoning
· Services for low-income individuals

“The survey also affirms our energies we’re devoting to affordable housing and parking are correct. Those energies are being correctly applied,” said McNees.

National Research Center analyzed the results using 2005 survey results, demographic and geographic subgroups and similar sized communities throughout the nation. A total of six reports were produced for the City of Sarasota. The reports will be used to provide additional insight into citizen satisfaction with current policies and procedures.

For more details about the survey go to 2006 Citizen Satisfaction Survey Results or call
Debra Figueroa at 954-4102