About 60 percent of residents who responded to an annual National Citizens Survey rated Pasco County’s quality of life as good.
Similarly, residents gave good marks to the overall quality of county services and customer services.
But, the survey results weren’t entirely rosy.
The growth in housing is happening faster than infrastructure, including roads and schools, according to residents who took the survey.
Traffic congestion and unsafe speed limits on roadways also emerged as a top concern among residents.
And, only 38 percent thought Pasco had a good or excellent reputation and image.
In comparison to 472 other communities included in the national citizens survey, Pasco ranked 410.
Pasco actually participates in two annual surveys to gather information about what is on the minds of its citizens.
One is the National Citizens’ Survey, based on random outreach to residents in communities across the country, including Pasco. At the same time, Pasco conducts its own online survey, open to anyone who wants to participate. Questions on both surveys are similar.
The goal is to collect feedback that can guide Pasco County officials in crafting policies and addressing issues of concern to residents.
The online survey is used mostly for comparison to the national survey’s data on Pasco, said Marc Bellas, the county’s performance management director.
Pasco’s online survey received more than 2,800 responses. Of those, 1,200 people also provided comments.
“The citizens’ survey is our primary listening mechanism,” said Bellas. “We can identify things before they become a problem.”
The survey identified safety, the economy and mobility as the top issues of concern.
Some comments focused on traffic, including the timing of traffic signals and speeding motorists.
Bellas said the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has been notified regarding specific problem areas.
“They have directed targeted patrols to address these things,” he said.
The national survey contacts residents randomly based on factors such as zip codes, population density and housing.
Bellas said the survey is statistically valid, with a plus or minus error rate of 6 percent.
In addition to the top three issues of concern to residents, the surveys also looked at these factors: natural environment, built environment, recreation and wellness, education and enrichment, and community engagement.
Online survey results trended generally lower than the national survey results.
Bellas said some of that difference is based on how data is collected for each survey.
For instance, online results on overall quality of life were about 57 percent — lower than the national survey of 60 percent favorable.
Both surveys had ratings below the national benchmark of about 68 percent.
“We still need to get much, much better at pushing out the positive things (about Pasco),” Bellas said.
On the national survey, about 62 percent of residents thought the overall quality of services provided to residents was good. That was on par with the national benchmark.
However, the online survey found less than 50 percent of residents felt good about the county’s delivery of services.
On the “most important issues,” residents put road maintenance first, followed by code enforcement, and parks and recreation.
A number of comments, especially from west Pasco residents, raised concerns about drug-related crime, blight and homelessness.
“There were more comments on that than I have seen on any prior year,” said Bellas. “Our challenge is to engage others to be part of the solution…to make Pasco a premier county.”
One issue that drew attention from county commissioners was how to improve Pasco’s reputation and image.
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey suggested the county adopt a “state of the county” annual report, similar to those done by city mayors.
There were some concerns raised by county commissioners regarding an A & E television show, “Live PD.” On Friday and Saturday nights, camera crews from the show follow deputies on their night shifts as they respond in real time to emergency calls.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco signed up his office as one of about six departments around the country that are highlighted on the show.
“It’s about transparency,” said Chase Daniels, assistant executive director for the sheriff’s office. It allows people to see the challenges that law enforcement faces, he added.
But, some area businesses can end up shown in the background as arrests are made. County commissioners said they would like to see more positive aspects of policing presented, along with the crime fighting.
“We need to be very mindful of the image we’re putting out to the world,” Starkey said.
Published August 15, 2018
