Telephone Survey November 7-9, 2017 1 ABOUT THE SURVEY A survey - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Telephone Survey

November 7-9, 2017

1

ABOUT THE SURVEY

• A survey of 400 likely voters from Lancaster County, Nebraska for the May 2018 Primary

Election was conducted from November 7-9, 2017.

• Interviewees were randomly selected from the likely voter universe and stratified

according to Age, Party, Gender and landline / cell phone usage.

• Survey results have a Margin of Error (MoE) of +/- 4.9% at the 95% Confidence Level.
• Research design and methodology was conducted by Rushmore Company, LLC.

2

KEY FINDINGS

• Lancaster Event Center (LEC) has a Strong Brand/Image Within the Community
• Two-thirds of Respondents have Visited LEC at Least Once in the Last Year.
• Aversion to Property Tax Solution: Specifically as the Sole or Primary Funding Source
• Funding Solutions Other Than Property Tax More Widely Accepted
• Existing and Projected Economic Benefits, Additional and Expanded Shows and Events,

Pride of Hosting National High School Rodeo, and Growing Lancaster County Super Fair Spur a Majority of Likely Voters

• Likely Voters Support Trended Favorably as More Information About Benefits and

Potential Additional Financing Solutions were Shared

3

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 82% 6% 12% 76% 6% 19% 77% 11% 12%

BRAND/IMAGE STRENGTH

Shows & Events

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of…….

Lancaster Event Center

4

Facilities

13% 33% 23% 18% 12% 2%

VISIT FREQUENCY

Once A Year Never 2-3 Times A Year 4+ Times A Year Once Every Couple Years No Opinion

How often do you visit the Lancaster Event Center?

5

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 More Likely Less Likely No Opinion More Likely Less Likely No Opinion More Likely Less Likely No Opinion 66% 25% 58% 9% 34% 9% 35% 54% 12%

PROPERTY TAX AVERSION

$3 Per Month $1.50 Per Month $1.5 Per Month + Sales Tax & Private Donations

After hearing this background information are you more or less likely to vote for a funding plan including a property tax increase of….

6

10 20 30 40 50 60 More Likely Less Likely No Opinion More Likely Less Likely No Opinion More Likely Less Likely No Opinion 40% 49% 40% 11% 48% 13% 52% 33% 15%

SALES TAX/PRIVATE DONATIONS

Additional 1c Occupation Tax State Sharing Localized Area Sales Tax Private Donations

• f $3M or 5% Total

7

Approximately half of the expansion cost could be paid for with….

8 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Events Contribute $40 Million Annualy $32 Million Increased Annual Impact National High School Rodeo More Shows, Events & Expanded Fair

POSITIVE RESPONSE TO ECONOMIC BENEFITS, MORE SHOWS & EXPANDED FAIR

More Likely No Opinion Less Likely

53% 55% 55% 53% 30% 33% 33% 13% 14% 14% 16% 32%

9

10 20 30 40 50 60 Before After

IF AN ELECTION WERE HELD TODAY

For Expansion Against Expansion No Opinion

12% 51% 56% 43% 32% 7%

CONCLUSIONS

• Public Perception of LEC, its’ Shows and Facilities is Strong.
• Property Tax as the Sole or Dominant Funding Source is a Losing Proposition.
• A Plurality of Voters Favor the Alternative Funding Sources of an Occupation Tax and

Sales Tax Sharing with the State while a Majority Support the use of Private Donations.

• A Majority of Voters are Positively Disposed Towards Funding the LEC Expansion After

Learning the Benefits to the Local Community and Economy.

• Net Support among Likely Voters for the LEC Expansion Improved from -24% to -8%

after Learning of the Benefits and Additional Financing Sources.

10

Questions?

11