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“DON’T BE A STRANGER IN YOUR OWN TOWN…. WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER” Earlier this year, the Billings City Council contracted with the National Research Center to conduct a citizen preference and satisfaction survey. 1,200 households were randomly selected to receive the survey and 47% returned it; an excellent response rate. The City Council is now conducting citizen listening sessions called “Community Conversations.” These sessions end in mid-September and the results and the survey results will help guide the City Council when it meets later this year to set goals for 2010-2011. Even though you may not have been among the 1,200 households who received the survey, you can still participate. The survey instrument that those households received is shown below. The City Council invites you to print the survey, complete it according to the instructions that are provided and mail or deliver it to Bruce McCandless, Asst. City Administrator, 210 N. Broadway, Billings, MT 59101. You may also scan and email your responses to the same person at email address [EMAIL REDACTED]. Please return your response by October 15, 2009, it will be combined with all others received by that date and group results reported to the Council. Your participation is important and the City Council urges you to complete and return the survey. Please call the contact above at 657-8222 if you have any questions about the survey or how the results will be used. ---PAGE BREAK--- The City of Billings 2009 Citizen Survey Page 1 of 5 Please complete this questionnaire if you are the adult (age 18 or older) in the household who most recently had a birthday. The adult's year of birth does not matter. Please select the response (by circling the number or checking the box) that most closely represents your opinion for each question. Your responses are anonymous and will be reported in group form only. 1. Please rate each of the following aspects of quality of life in Billings: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Billings as a place to 1 2 3 4 5 Your neighborhood as a place to 1 2 3 4 5 Billings as a place to raise children 1 2 3 4 5 Billings as a place to 1 2 3 4 5 Billings as a place to retire 1 2 3 4 5 The overall quality of life in 1 2 3 4 5 2. Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Billings as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Sense of 1 2 3 4 5 Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse 1 2 3 4 5 Overall appearance of Billings 1 2 3 4 5 Cleanliness of 1 2 3 4 5 Overall quality of new development in 1 2 3 4 5 Variety of housing options 1 2 3 4 5 Overall quality of business and service establishments in Billings 1 2 3 4 5 Shopping 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to attend cultural 1 2 3 4 5 Recreational opportunities 1 2 3 4 5 Employment opportunities 1 2 3 4 5 Educational opportunities 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to participate in religious or spiritual events and activities 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to participate in community 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of car travel in 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of bus travel in 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of bicycle travel in Billings 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of walking in 1 2 3 4 5 Availability of paths and walking trails 1 2 3 4 5 Traffic flow on major 1 2 3 4 5 Amount of public parking 1 2 3 4 5 Availability of affordable quality housing 1 2 3 4 5 Availability of affordable quality child care 1 2 3 4 5 Availability of affordable quality health care 1 2 3 4 5 Availability of affordable quality food 1 2 3 4 5 Availability of preventative health 1 2 3 4 5 Air 1 2 3 4 5 Quality of overall natural environment in Billings 1 2 3 4 5 Overall image or reputation of 1 2 3 4 5 3. Please rate the speed of growth in the following categories in Billings over the past 2 years: Much Somewhat Right Somewhat Much Don't too slow too slow amount too fast too fast know Population growth 1 2 3 4 5 6 Retail growth (stores, restaurants, 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jobs 1 2 3 4 5 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- The National Citizen Survey™ • © 2001-2008 National Research Center, Inc. Page 2 of 5 The National Citizen Survey™ 4. To what degree, if at all, are run down buildings, weed lots or junk vehicles a problem in Billings? Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem Don’t know 5. Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel from the following in Billings: Very Somewhat Neither safe Somewhat Very Don't safe safe nor unsafe unsafe unsafe know Violent crime rape, assault, robbery) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Property crimes burglary, 1 2 3 4 5 6 Environmental hazards, including toxic 1 2 3 4 5 6 6. Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: Very Somewhat Neither safe Somewhat Very Don't safe safe nor unsafe unsafe unsafe know In your neighborhood during the 1 2 3 4 5 6 In your neighborhood after 1 2 3 4 5 6 In Billings’ downtown area during the 1 2 3 4 5 6 In Billings’ downtown area after 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. During the past twelve months, were you or anyone in your household the victim of any crime? No Î Go to Question 9 Yes Î Go to Question 8 Don’t know Î Go to Question 9 8. If yes, was this crime (these crimes) reported to the police? No Yes Don’t know 9. In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other household members participated in the following activities in Billings? Once or 3 to 12 13 to 26 More than Never twice times times 26 times Used Billings public libraries or their 1 2 3 4 5 Used Billings recreation centers 1 2 3 4 5 Participated in a recreation program or activity 1 2 3 4 5 Visited a neighborhood park or city park 1 2 3 4 5 Ridden a local bus within Billings 1 2 3 4 5 Attended a meeting of local elected officials or other local public meeting 1 2 3 4 5 Watched a meeting of local elected officials or other local public meeting on cable television 1 2 3 4 5 Read Billings Newsletter 1 2 3 4 5 Visited the City of Billings Web site (at www.ci.billings.mt.us) 1 2 3 4 5 Recycled used paper, cans or bottles from your 1 2 3 4 5 Volunteered your time to some group or activity in Billings 1 2 3 4 5 Participated in religious or spiritual activities in 1 2 3 4 5 Participated in a club or civic group in Billings 1 2 3 4 5 Provided help to a friend or neighbor 1 2 3 4 5 10. About how often, if at all, do you talk to or visit with your immediate neighbors (people who live in the 10 or 20 households that are closest to you)? Just about every day Several times a week Several times a month Once a month Several times a year Once a year or less Never ---PAGE BREAK--- The City of Billings 2009 Citizen Survey Page 3 of 5 11. Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Billings: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Police services 1 2 3 4 5 Fire 1 2 3 4 5 Ambulance or emergency medical 1 2 3 4 5 Crime 1 2 3 4 5 Fire prevention and education 1 2 3 4 5 Municipal courts 1 2 3 4 5 Traffic 1 2 3 4 5 Street repair 1 2 3 4 5 Street cleaning 1 2 3 4 5 Street 1 2 3 4 5 Snow 1 2 3 4 5 Sidewalk maintenance 1 2 3 4 5 Traffic signal timing 1 2 3 4 5 Bus or transit 1 2 3 4 5 Garbage 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Yard waste pick-up 1 2 3 4 5 Storm 1 2 3 4 5 Drinking 1 2 3 4 5 Sewer services 1 2 3 4 5 Power (electric and/or gas) utility 1 2 3 4 5 City 1 2 3 4 5 Recreation programs or classes 1 2 3 4 5 Recreation centers or 1 2 3 4 5 Land use, planning and zoning 1 2 3 4 5 Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc) 1 2 3 4 5 Animal control 1 2 3 4 5 Economic development 1 2 3 4 5 Health services 1 2 3 4 5 Services to 1 2 3 4 5 Services to 1 2 3 4 5 Services to low-income people 1 2 3 4 5 Public library services 1 2 3 4 5 Public information services 1 2 3 4 5 Public 1 2 3 4 5 Cable television 1 2 3 4 5 Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) 1 2 3 4 5 Preservation of natural areas such as open space, farmlands and 1 2 3 4 5 12. Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by each of the following? Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know The City of Billings 1 2 3 4 5 The Federal Government 1 2 3 4 5 The State Government 1 2 3 4 5 Yellowstone County Government 1 2 3 4 5 ---PAGE BREAK--- The National Citizen Survey™ • © 2001-2008 National Research Center, Inc. Page 4 of 5 The National Citizen Survey™ 13. Have you had any in-person or phone contact with an employee of the City of Billings within the last 12 months (including police, receptionists, planners or any others)? No Î Go to Question 15 Yes Î Go to Question 14 14. What was your impression of the employee(s) of the City of Billings in your most recent contact? (Rate each characteristic below.) Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Courtesy 1 2 3 4 5 Overall 1 2 3 4 5 15. Please rate the following categories of Billings government performance: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know The value of services for the taxes paid to 1 2 3 4 5 The overall direction that Billings is 1 2 3 4 5 The job Billings government does at welcoming citizen involvement....... 1 2 3 4 5 The job Billings government does at listening to 1 2 3 4 5 16. Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following: Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t likely likely unlikely unlikely know Recommend living in Billings to someone who asks 1 2 3 4 5 Remain in Billings for the next five 1 2 3 4 5 17. What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Do you think the impact will be: Very positive Somewhat positive Neutral Somewhat negative Very negative 18. Please check the response that comes closest to your opinion for each of the following questions: a. To what extent would you support or oppose the following potential efforts to delay, reduce or eliminate property tax increases? Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly support support oppose oppose Reduce City Hall operating 2 3 4 Reduce Library operating 2 3 4 Close one of seven fire 2 3 4 Reduce park maintenance 2 3 4 Eliminate recreation programs 2 3 4 Reduce MET Transit operations 2 3 4 Close one or more public swimming or wading 2 3 4 b. To what extent would you support or oppose creating a citywide Park Maintenance District to increase park construction and improve grounds maintenance? Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know c. The City’s charter limits the amount of property taxes the city can collect (currently $2,421 on a house valued at $200,000). If the city were to remove this limit, it would, along with all other cities and counties, be held to the State of Montana’s statute that allows additional property tax to be collected in order to produce taxes equal to the prior year, plus growth and inflation. To what extent do you support or oppose removing the City’s current limit and adopting the State’s limit? Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know d. What is the most pressing issue for our city government to address at this time? ---PAGE BREAK--- The City of Billings 2009 Citizen Survey Page 5 of 5 Our last questions are about you and your household. Again, all of your responses to this survey are completely anonymous and will be reported in group form only. D1. Are you currently employed for pay? No Î Go to Question D3 Yes, full time Î Go to Question D2 Yes, part time Î Go to Question D2 D2. During a typical week, how many days do you commute to work (for the longest distance of your commute) in each of the ways listed below? (Enter the total number of days, using whole numbers.) Motorized vehicle car, truck, van, etc…) by myself days Motorized vehicle car, truck, van, etc…) with other children or days Bus, Rail, Subway or other public days Walk days Bicycle days Work at home days Other days D3. How many years have you lived in Billings? Less than 2 years 11-20 years 2-5 years More than 20 years 6-10 years D4. Which best describes the building you live in? One family house detached from any other houses House attached to one or more houses a duplex or townhome) Building with two or more apartments or condominiums Mobile home Other D5. Is this house, apartment or mobile home... Rented for cash or occupied without cash payment? Owned by you or someone in this house with a mortgage or free and clear? D6. About how much is your housing cost for the place you live (including rent, mortgage payment, property tax, property insurance and homeowners’ association (HOA) fees)? Less than $300 per month $300 to $599 per month $600 to $999 per month $1,000 to $1,499 per month $1,500 to $2,499 per month $2,500 or more per month D7. Do any children 17 or under live in your household? No Yes D8. Are you or any other members of your household aged 65 or older? No Yes D9. How much do you anticipate your household's total income before taxes will be for the current year? (Please include in your total income money from all sources for all persons living in your household.) Less than $24,999 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $99,999 $100,000 to $149,999 $150,000 or more Please respond to both question D10 and D11: D10. Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino? No, not Spanish, Hispanic or Latino Yes, I consider myself to be Spanish, Hispanic or Latino D11. What is your race? (Mark one or more races to indicate what race you consider yourself to be) American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander Black or African American White Other D12. In which category is your age? 18-24 years 55-64 years 25-34 years 65-74 years 35-44 years 75 years or older 45-54 years D13. What is your sex? Female Male D14. Are you registered to vote in your jurisdiction? No Yes Ineligible to vote Don’t know D15. Many people don't have time to vote in elections. Did you vote in the last general election? No Yes Ineligible to vote Don’t know Thank you for completing this survey. Please return the completed survey in the postage paid envelope to: National Research Center, Inc., 3005 30th St., Boulder, CO 80301