PENTICTON — The majority of residents rate the quality of life in the City of Penticton as excellent, according to 2013 Citizen Survey findings presented to Council today.

The City of Penticton established a baseline of citizen satisfaction with City service levels and provision with its inaugural survey in 2012. Accurate and relevant data and meaningful analysis will help departments chart a course for the future, with comparative, year-over-year data helping staff measure success over time.

Discovery Research conducted the telephone survey in September with a random sample of 401 Penticton residents in September. The 2013 Citizen Survey features several findings, including:

- Most important issue facing Penticton: lack of jobs, poor economy. In 2013, 47% of residents felt the single most important issue facing the City of Penticton was lack of jobs and poor economy compared to 41% in 2012. Another top issue also related to financial matters was budget, fiscal responsibility and debt at 10% in 2013 compared to 4% in 2012. The new Patient Care Tower at the Penticton Regional Hospital was given as the most important issue by 10% of respondents.
- Sixty-eight percent feel the new Patient Care Tower will strongly improve health care available in Penticton. Fifty nine percent feel the new Patient Care Tower should be built quickly, even if additional costs are incurred.
- The average rating given by Penticton residents for the overall quality of life in Penticton was 7.8 on a 10-point scale. The average rating was 8.6 for Penticton as a place to retire and 7.5 for Penticton as a place to raise children.
- The service provided by City staff received excellent satisfaction rating. Eighty percent of residents felt that City staff was professional and knowledgeable.
- According to survey respondents, the City is providing excellent service in the important areas of police services, fire services, water, sewer, parks and beaches and tourism. The survey also indicated there is room for improvement in areas of economic development, snow and ice removal, City planning and street maintenance.
Given Penticton’s population size, a sample 401 residents generates findings accurate within ±4.9%, at the 95% confidence interval (19 times out of 20).
The full 2013 Citizen Survey report is available on the City of Penticton’s website at www.penticton.ca/survey.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013