City of Huber Heights Public Opinion Survey

1. City of Huber HeightsPublic Opinion Survey Conducted by: Wright State University Center for Urban and Public Affairs

2. Methodology • 600 citizens were surveyed via a telephone survey of Huber Heights residents • 95 % confidence, +/- 4 % margin of error citywide • At least 83 respondents from each ward • Survey conducted from May 7, 2009 through June 11, 2009 • 77 question survey developed by CUPA in partnership with City staff.

3. Methodolgy • Random digit dial (RDD) sampling method utilized • Any household with landline telephone could participate • Does exclude HHs that are cell phone only (estimated at 12%) • Quota sampling method used to closely approximate sample with demographics of City (age, gender)

4. Geocoding • Respondents were asked to provide their street and hundred block for the purpose of analyzing responses by Ward. • 7 respondents were purged from the database because they did not live in the City limits. • No identifying information was recorded pertaining to any individual respondent.

5. General Public Sentiment • Overall satisfaction with the City as a place to live: • Beavercreek (2007): 94.2 percent • Yellow Springs (2005): 94.2 percent • Moraine (2008): 94.0 percent • Franklin (2007): 93.6 percent • Huber Heights (2009): 92.3 percent • Urbana (2007): 90.5 percent • Clayton (2005): 83.6 percent • Trotwood (2007): 74.5 percent • Dayton (2007): 71.1 percent

6. General Public Sentiment • Very high level of overall city satisfaction • Regression: Satisfaction with specific service provision are primary indicators • Demographic differences: • Those 65 and older most likely to be “Very Satisfied” with the City • Respondents in Ward Three were most likely to be satisfied (96.1 percent)

7. Paramedic and Fire Services • Very high levels of satisfaction with fire and EMS services in Huber Heights • 98.7 percent satisfied with fire and EMS • 98.0 percent are satisfied with response time • Respondents who expressed dissatisfaction were asked why- most comments related to response time.

8. Police Services • Most respondents (94.5 percent) are satisfied with police services in Huber Heights. • 95.1 percent satisfied with response time • 91.2 percent satisfied with how often they see police on the street • No differences among demographic groups, likely due to high percentage of satisfied respondents.

9. Waste Collection • Most residents contract with Rumpke (259) or Waste Management (226) for waste collection services • 62.9 percent would support the city consolidating to one hauler. • Most would prefer that their hauler be the sole provider • 78.3 percent satisfied with residential leaf collection

10. Yard Waste Disposal • 45.5 percent of respondents have used yard waste disposal site • Almost all are satisfied (94.5 percent) • Respondents were asked about a seasonal pass to the waste disposal site • 141 respondents said nothing • 110 wouldn’t use the site • Of the remaining respondents, $10-20 was the average response

11. City Pool • 15.2 percent of respondents have used the city pool • Younger respondents more likely to have used the pool, but also more likely to be dissatisfied • When asked to rate the pool, more than half of respondents (51.7 percent) could not respond • Of those who did respond, 77.9 percent were satisfied • Despite non-use, 77.3 percent believe the city should continue to own the pool

12. Parks and Recreation • Respondents are generally satisfied with all attributes of parks in Huber Heights • 90.9 percent are satisfied with the appearance of city parks • 90.7 percent satisfied with the safety of city parks • Older respondents more likely to be satisfied with appearance and safety of parks • Most respondents are satisfied with YMCA programming • 28.7 percent unfamiliar with programming • Of those who are familiar, 86.0 percent are satisfied

13. Water • Two thirds of respondents (68.3 percent) are satisfied with the quality of drinking water • Significant differences by Ward: • 79.6 percent satisfied in Ward Three, 73.2 percent in Ward Four • 58.8 percent in Ward Two, 63.4 percent in Ward One • Respondents 25-44 most likely to be dissatisfied • 59.4 percent of residents have a water softener • Of those with a softener, 59.3 percent would prefer their home softener.

14. Water, cont. • 15.2 percent of residents have contacted customer service regarding their water • Of those, two thirds are satisfied with the service that they received

15. City Income Tax • More than three-quarters of respondents (76.4 percent) indicated that using RITA was easy or very easy • 73.7 percent are satisfied with the service • Those who were dissatisfied discussed: • Having trouble understanding forms • Opposition to regional tax collection • Difficulty having questions answered • One in five respondents contacted city with questions • 84.5 percent were satisfied

16. Zoning • More than two-thirds (69.7 percent) are satisfied with zoning codes • Views of zoning codes: • Too strict: 20.5 percent • About right: 57.8 percent • Not strict enough: 21.7 percent • After the move to complaint-based enforcement, respondents were asked about changes • 65.9 percent perceived no change, 16.1 percent perceived improvement

17. Neighborhood Variables • 87.2 percent satisfied with the appearance of their neighborhood • No differences by Ward • 83.9 percent satisfied with housing quality in their neighborhood • 89.2 percent in Ward One • 75.9 percent in Ward Four

18. Neighborhood Variables

19. Service Cuts • Respondents were asked a question pertaining to what services they would be willing to cut as a result of the reduction in the city income tax • More than half chose not to answer • Of those who did answer, the most common responses were: • Leaf pick-up (41 respondents) • Parks and Recreation • Streets • Views pertaining to education

20. Internet Access • 84.8 percent of respondents have residential Internet access. • Most using DSL / cable • 8.3 percent with dial-up • 42.9 percent have visited the City’s website • Of those, 85.1 percent found it easy to navigate • 88.7 percent found information useful

21. Contact with City Employees • 29.4 percent of respondents have had contact with a City employee in the past year • Almost all were satisfied with that contact and felt that the employee treated them with respect.

22. Volunteerism • 13.7 percent of respondents have volunteered with the City in the past • 38.2 percent (219 respondents) are interested in volunteering in the future • 50.0 percent of those 18-24 • 50.5 percent of those 25-34 • Volunteer opportunities involving: • Children • Parks and recreation, including clean-up

23. Summary • Most residents are satisfied with the City. • Respondents provided, through open-ended comments, numerous specific suggestions for improvements that they would like to see. • Most respondents are satisfied with RITA • Strong levels of satisfaction with emergency services, police, parks and recreation, contact with city employees.

24. Opportunities • Internet • Volunteer opportunities • Education of residents • Specific neighborhood problems more prevalent in some Wards than others • General positive views of government • 73.3 percent believe government pays attention • 84.2 percent believe government does the right thing • Less than half believes government wastes money

25. Questions? For more information, please contact: David Jones Survey Research Director Wright State University, Center for Urban and Public Affairs (937) 775-2941 David.jones@wright.edu