According to the results of a county-commissioned telephone and online citizen-satisfaction survey, 92 per cent of respondents said quality of life in the area is “good” or “very good.” Residents also gave high marks to facility maintenance, local programs and service options, and the overall safety and security in the county.
Released at the Jan. 3 council meeting, the survey by Edmonton-based Marcomm Works polled 400 randomly selected phone numbers throughout the county in November. There was also an online survey available through the county website, which received 39 responses.
Recreation, cultural, and library facilities – including the Bold Center – were given high marks, with only 10 per cent of respondents saying they were dissatisfied. And residents are also gave the thumbs-up to park, trail, and green space maintenance, as well as water, gas, and sewer service throughout the municipality.
“We’re certainly very pleased to see these results,” Mayor Peter Kirylchuk said. “It’s always heartwarming to know that people are happy in the community.”
Council ranked lowest
Although the results showed high levels of satisfaction with the quality of life in Lac La Biche, the polled residents identified a few areas of concern. Respondents were asked to agree or disagree with 10 statements – and two statements about Lac La Biche County Council were ranked dead last.
“Council listens to residents” and “council does a good job of considering the interests of residents when making decisions” received the lowest ratings of the survey, with only one in three respondents saying they agreed.
Kirylchuk said the local elected officials are aware of the concerns and are hoping to turn opinion around in the new year.
“Council is very keen on coming up with strategies for residents to receive better communication and be better informed,” Kirylchuk said, noting the firm that executed the survey gave some communication tips to council and administration. “It’s a never-ending battle to communicate with residents and to come up with new and better ways of reaching out.”
Big gaps in economic development, road maintenance, and financial management
Nearly 70 per cent of residents said “economic development including land use planning and zoning” is important. However, only 34 per cent said they were happy with current county efforts.
Roads and transportation services were seen as the most important service, with 88 per cent saying it’s either somewhat or very important. But just over half of residents said they are satisfied with local roadway maintenance.
However, the biggest gap is with money management: nearly three quarters of residents said proper financial management of county revenue and expenses is important – but only 32 per cent said they were satisfied with the municipality’s current financial efforts.
Kirylchuk said this is an obvious area of concern for both council and administration.
“What we need desperately right now is a CAO,” he said. “But we believe we have solid financial people in place now who are bringing items together for an overview. I’m confident in the next while we’ll have a full report and get back on track.”
Post gets top marks
The Lac La Biche Post was ranked as both the most important and most preferred information source. Over 80 per cent of respondents said the local paper is an important source of information, and 63 per cent said they preferred the Post as a news source – double the next highest option, Big Dog 103.5.
Annual survey
Lac La Biche County spokesperson Shadia Amblie said the survey will be conducted on an annual basis as a way to gauge public reaction to municipal government and services.
