Survey of City of Davis Voters Conducted for the City of Davis - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Survey of City of Davis Voters

Conducted for the City of Davis Presented July 9, 2019

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Methodology

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Mixed-mode survey of City of Davis voters

• Voters were contacted for phone interviews via landline and cell phone, and to

complete a web version of the survey via email and text invitation

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Conducted May 23-31, 2019

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500 completed interviews; overall margin of error ± 4.38 percentage points

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Where applicable, results compared with:

Please note that due to rounding, some percentages may not add up to exactly 100%. Conducted by Methodology Dates Target Universe Sample Size Margin of Error Godbe Research Telephone Survey June 11-16, 2014 City of Davis Voters n=504 +4.3 percent Godbe Research Telephone Survey June 2-4, 2007 City of Davis Voters n=600 +4.0 percent

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Project Purpose

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Understand satisfaction with City of Davis services, features, and quality of life

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Determine the likelihood of success of a measure to renew the City’s one percent sales tax

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Explore the preferred methods of communication about Davis news and events

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Key Findings

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Voters are overwhelmingly satisfied with the local quality of life in Davis, as well as safety, the City’s image and reputation and many services provided by the City.

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Most voters trust the City’s leaders to solve difficult problems and have confidence in the management of tax dollars.

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There is significant concern about housing affordability.

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The vast majority of voters would support a measure to renew the City’s one percent sales tax.

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Maintaining emergency response times and maintaining City roads, sidewalks and bike paths are particularly high priorities.

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The Davis Enterprise stands out as a useful source of news and events about things happening in Davis. Social media and the City’s website are also viewed as useful by many.

Issue Environment

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Right Direction/Wrong Track

Right Direction 54% (Don't Know) 22% Wrong Track 24%

• Q3. Do you feel that things in the City of Davis are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things

have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?

Over half of Davis voters are optimistic about the direction of the City.

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City of Davis Most Important Problem

31% 10% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 5% 4% 5% Lack of affordable housing Growth/development and land use/sustainability Homelessness Education/lack of funding/More pay for teachers Budget/economy Road quality/Condition/Repair Traffic Crime/public safety/Drugs Cost of living Government/Leadership/Transparency/Accessibility Climate/Environment Parking Population growth/Immigration Other None Don't know/Refused

Voters cite concerns about the lack of affordable housing, growth, homelessness and a variety of other local issues.

• Q4. What do you think is the most important issue facing the City of Davis today?

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Most Important Problem Over Time*

31% 10% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2%

9% 5% 4% 9% 1% 1% 3% 6% 3% 1% 1% 1% 21% 34% 5% 2% 0% 4% 1% 2% 1% 1% 2% 3%

Lack of affordable housing Growth/development and land use/sustainability Homelessness Education/lack of funding/More pay for teachers Budget/economy Road quality/Condition/Repair Traffic Crime/public safety/Drugs Cost of living Government/Leadership/Transparency/Accessibility Climate/Environment/Air Quality Parking/Lack of parking Population growth/Immigration 2019 2014 2007

Housing affordability remains a top concern, and homelessness has emerged as a prominent concern this year.

• Q4. What do you think is the most important issue facing the City of Davis today? (Previous wording “What do you

feel is the most important issue facing residents of Davis?”) *Note: Change in methodology may impact changes in results over time

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Lack of Affordable Housing By Age

31% 38% 52% 32% 20% 23% Overall 18-29 (26%) 30-39 (13%) 40-49 (13%) 50-64 (23%) 65+ (25%)

Half of voters in their 30s mention housing affordability as the City’s most important issue.

• Q4. What do you think is the most important issue facing the City of Davis today?

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City Satisfaction Ratings

Q7-18. Would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with each of the following in Davis?

Voters are very satisfied with the quality of parks and recreation and the overall quality of life in Davis. The City also receives high ratings for image and reputation, safety, and acceptance of people of diverse backgrounds.

Total Sat. Total Dissat. Net Sat. 57% 56% 48% 46% 45% 24% 31% 37% 37% 41% 31% 54% 6% 1% 3% 1% 5% 4% 5% 5% 9% 9% 13% 12% 1% 1% 3% 3% 5% 6% 88% 93% 85% 86% 76% 78% 6% 6% 12% 13% 18% 18% +82 +88 +73 +74 +58 +60

The quality of parks, recreation programs The overall quality of life The overall image and reputation of the City The overall safety of the City Openness and acceptance of the community towards people of diverse backgrounds The job the City is doing to provide city services

Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied (No Opinion)/ Don't Know Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

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City Satisfaction Ratings

Q7-18. Would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with each of the following in Davis?

Housing affordability is an area of significant concern, with half indicating they are very dissatisfied.

Total Sat. Total Dissat. Net Sat. 25% 19% 14% 10% 11% 6% 3% 33% 43% 29% 33% 31% 30% 15% 14% 34% 36% 2% 37% 3% 22% 17% 15% 13% 30% 17% 29% 20% 7% 8% 8% 26% 10% 50% 58% 62% 43% 43% 42% 36% 18% 42% 24% 23% 21% 55% 27% 79% +16 +38 +20 +21

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+9

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Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, and pedestrian and bike paths The City's efforts to communiate with residents Responsiveness to citizen complaints Performance of the city council Downtown parking Management of city finances The affordability of housing

Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied (No Opinion)/ Don't Know Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

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24% 40% 46% 48% 59% 55% 25% 39% 54% 45% 48% 37% 30% 35% 33% 38% 4% 2% 1% 3% 1% 2% 12% 7% 3% 9% 7% 5% 22% 15% 6% 7% 2% 3% 3% 3% 20% 8% 78% 84% 94% 85% 89% 90% 58% 77% 18% 14% 5% 12% 10% 8% 42% 23% +60 +70 +89 +73 +79 +82 +16 +54 2019 2014 2007 2019 2014 2007 2019 2014 Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied (No Opinion)/ Don't Know Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

City Satisfaction Ratings Over Time*

Q7-18. Would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with each of the following in Davis? **Not asked in 2007

Satisfaction with the image and reputation of the City has remained fairly consistent over time. Overall satisfaction with providing services is similar to prior years, but intensity has decreased.

The job the City of Davis is doing to provide city services The overall image and reputation of the city Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, and pedestrian and bike paths**

Total Sat. Total Dissat. Net Sat.

*Note: Change in methodology may impact changes in results over time

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19% 29% 33% 45% 41% 43% 41% 50% 31% 33% 14% 8% 6% 5% 7% 17% 16% 9% 13% 14% 7% 5% 3% 5% 5% 62% 70% 83% 76% 74% 24% 22% 12% 18% 19% +38 +49 +71 +58 +55 2019 2014 2007 2019 2007 Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied (No Opinion)/ Don't Know Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

City Satisfaction Ratings Over Time* (cont.)

Q7-18. Would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with each of the following in Davis? *Not asked in 2014

Satisfaction ratings on openness and acceptance toward people of diverse backgrounds remain high.

The City’s efforts to communicate with residents Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds*

Total Sat. Total Dissat. Net Sat.

*Note: Change in methodology may impact changes in results over time

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11% 42% 15% 18% 14% Great need Some need Little need (Don't know) No real need

Perceived Need for Additional Funding

• Q5. Would you say that the City of Davis has a great need for more money, some need for more

money, only a little need for more money, or no real need for more money for city services?

Just over half of voters believe that the City of Davis has at least some need for additional funding.

53%

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13% 12% 15% 49% 46% 21% 10% 13% 8% 17% 19% 32% 11% 10% 23% 62% 58% 37% 28% 28% 55% +35 +30

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I trust the City of Davis to properly manage tax dollars. I am confident that Davis' leaders are able to solve difficult problems as they arise. Taxes in Davis are already high enough, I'll vote against any new tax measure. Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree (Don't Know) Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree

Attitudes towards Government & Taxes

Q22-24. Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.

Six in ten Davis voters trust the City to manage tax dollars properly, and a majority have confidence in the City’s leaders to solve difficult problems.

Total Agree Total Disagree Net Agree

Sales Tax Measure

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76% 20% (Lean) 2%

Yes 77% No 20% (Undecided) 2% Among Likely March Voters n=432

50%

Sales Tax: Initial Support

• Q19. If the election were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to reject this measure?

(IF UNDECIDED) Well which way do you lean -- towards voting yes or no on the measure?

The sales tax extension begins in a strong position, with over three in four voters supporting it.

75% 21% (Lean) 2%

Yes 77% No 21% (Undecided) 2%

Shall the Ordinance extending the existing one percent sales tax with no increase to the current rate, providing approximately $8,500,000 annually until repealed by the voters, subject to annual review, with all funds staying local, and continuing existing funding for city services such as police, fire, recreation programs, city roads, sidewalks, bike path maintenance and other city services, be adopted?

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Reasons for Support/Opposition

Q20/21. What is the main reason you would [vote Yes/vote No] on this measure?

Reasons to Support % of all Respondents Need to maintain/it's already in place 14% City Maintenance/Services are important/Safety 11% City needs more money/funding 11% It’s good/needed/reasonable for services 10% Roads/Safety/Repair/Infrastructure/Funding 8% Services need to be funded/Funding is important 7% Support/Right direction/affordable 3% Good for Davis/Quality of life 3% Allocation/Funds stay local 3% Other/None/Don’t know/Refused 6% Reasons to Oppose % of all Respondents Too many taxes/Too High 7% The City should budget/allocate more responsibly 5% The City has enough money/doesn't need more 4% Money should be used on more important issues/problems 2% Other/None/Don’t know/Refused 3%

What is the main reason you would [vote Yes/vote No] on this measure?

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Importance of City Services

Maintaining fire and police emergency response times is an important priority; maintaining roads, sidewalks, bike paths, and parks is also very important.

52% 42% 37% 35% 35% 29% 34% 47% 50% 44% 40% 44% 9% 8% 8% 11% 15% 16% 4% 4% 4% 8% 8% 9% 1% 1% 1% 3% 2% 6.07 5.95 5.82 5.59 5.51 5.44 Maintaining police and fire emergency response times Maintaining city roads, sidewalks and bike paths Maintaining local parks Fixing potholes Preserving the number of police officers and firefighters Continuing recreation programs for youth and seniors 7 - Extremely Important 5-6 4/(Don't Know) 2-3 1 - Not At All Important Mean

Q25-30. Below is a list of issues the City of Davis could focus on. Please rate how important that issue is to you, using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means not at all important and 7 means extremely important.

Additional Information

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Sales Tax Support Statements*

Q31-35. These are statements from people who SUPPORT the revenue renewal measure for Davis. After each one, please tell me how convincing that statement is as a reason to vote FOR the measure.

The fact that this measure would not increase taxes and that all funds benefit Davis are convincing reasons to support it.

47% 40% 34% 33% 28% 31% 38% 39% 34% 36% 3% 3% 2% 6% 3% 11% 11% 15% 14% 21% 9% 8% 10% 13% 13% 78% 78% 73% 67% 63% 19% 19% 24% 27% 34% +58 +59 +49 +40 +29 Very convincing Somewhat convincing (Don't know) Not too convincing Not at all convincing

[Does not increase taxes] [Tax dollars stay local] [Resident safety] [Essential purchases exempt] [Preserve Davis quality of life]

Total Conv. Total Not Conv. Net Conv.

*Full statements have been abbreviated

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Support for a potential sales tax renewal measure fluctuates over the course of the survey.

Support Progression – Likely March Voters

76% 20% 80% 18% 69% 26%

(Lean) 2% (Lean) 1% (Lean) 2% (Lean) 1%

Yes 77% No 20% (Undecided) 2% Yes 81% No 18% (Undecided) 1% Yes 71% No 27% (Undecided) 3%

Initial Support Support After Positives Statements Support After Opposition Statements

Q37/38. Now given everything you’ve heard, if the election were held today would you vote yes to approve

• r no to reject the renewal of the existing one percent sales tax measure for Davis?

50%

Among Likely March voters; n=432

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Support Progression – Likely March Voters

A potential sunset clause has little impact on support.

• Q39. And what if the proposed sales tax were set to expire after 8 years, would you vote yes to approve or

no to reject the renewal of the existing one percent sales tax measure for Davis?

2% 1% 3% (Undecided) 2% 77% 81% 71% Yes 71% 20% 18% 27% No 26%

Initial Support Support After Positives Statements Support After Opposition Statements Support After Sunset Clause

50%

Among Likely March voters; n=432

City Communications

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Most Important Source for Local News

28% 22% 8% 5% 4% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 6% 8% The Davis Enterprise Friends/Family/word of mouth Online/other Internet sites Facebook Other social media Nextdoor Local TV News The City newsletter, Davis Together Davis Vanguard or other local blogs Communications from the City The City of Davis website The Aggie (or the UC Davis Newspaper) Twitter Capital Public Radio The Sacramento Bee The City of Davis social media sites Other (Don't Know/Refused)

The Davis Enterprise and word-of-mouth are the foremost top-of-mind sources for local news and events.

• Q40. People use different sources of information to hear about local news and events. What is your most

important source of news and information about things in Davis?

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Most Important Source for Local News by Age

9% 27% 11% 6% 7% 1% 2% 2% 3% 20% 21% 11% 16% 3% 3% 1% 6% 27% 19% 9% 7% 5% 7% 1% 3% 35% 20% 10% 1% 3% 8% 5% 3% 45% 19% 3% 2% 1% 1% 7% 5% 1%

The Davis Enterprise Friends/Family/word of mouth Online/other Internet sites Facebook Other social media Nextdoor Local TV News The City newsletter, Davis Together Davis Vanguard or other local blogs

18-29 (26%) 30-39 (13%) 40-49 (13%) 50-64 (23%) 65+ (25%)

News sources vary widely by age.

• Q40. People use different sources of information to hear about local news and events. What is your most

important source of news and information about things in Davis?

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39% 22% 14% 12% 19% 10% 11% 7% 6% 32% 38% 36% 36% 24% 26% 22% 17% 16% 15% 13% 22% 18% 24% 33% 26% 40% 41% 7% 11% 15% 18% 15% 13% 19% 13% 14% 8% 16% 13% 16% 18% 18% 23% 23% 24% 71% 60% 50% 48% 43% 36% 32% 24% 22% 14% 27% 28% 35% 33% 32% 41% 36% 37% +57 +33 +23 +13 +10 +4

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The Davis Enterprise Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, or NextDoor The City of Davis website The Sacramento Bee Capital Public Radio The City of Davis social media sites Local TV news The City newsletter, Davis Together The Davis Vanguard blog Very Useful Somewhat Useful No Opinion/ Don't Know Not Very Useful Not At All Useful

Usefulness of Local News Sources

Q41-49. Please rate the usefulness of each of the following for sources of information about local news and events in Davis.

Many say the Davis Enterprise and social media are useful sources of information about local news and events.

Total Useful Total Not Useful Net Useful

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Best Way to Receive Communications

36% 28% 16% 15% 14% 13% 5% 4% Email Social media Online newsletter Print mail Text message City website Something else Don't know/Refused

Over a third of voters prefer to hear from the City via email, but many also want to receive information in other ways such as social media, online newsletters or the City website, and print mail or text.

• Q50. What do you think would be the best way for the City of Davis to communicate with the local community on information about

local news and events – by email, text message, print mail, online newsletter, the city website, social media or something else?

Note: Respondents were able to offer up to two options, thus responses total more than 100%.

Jessica Polsky Jessica@EMCresearch.com 510.550.8933 Brendan Kara Brendan@EMCresearch.com 202.686.5902 Chelsea Sektnan Chelsea@EMCresearch.com 202.849.6525