3600 citizens chosen for capital improvement needs survey

(December 5, 2006) – 3,600 Oklahoma City residents have been randomly selected to participate in a survey measuring citizen support and priorities for a General Obligation Bond Issue election scheduled for December 2007.

The survey will be mailed December 6-7. Those chosen will receive a recorded phone message from Mayor Mick Cornett telling them the survey is on the way, explaining the survey and encouraging them to respond.

“Responses from the survey are imperative to helping us measure citizen interest in everything from streets and parks to transit and public safety for the upcoming bond issue,” City Manager Jim Couch said.

This is the first scientific survey the City has ever conducted to measure priorities for an upcoming bond issue. “We put a great amount of value in citizen input and hope people will take the time to think about City needs when filling out their survey,” added Couch.

The survey consists of 16 questions and should take about 10 minutes to complete. Results will be made public in January.

The City’s last bond issue, $340 million, was passed in 2000 and included nine general obligation bond propositions. The largest portion is being used for street repair and construction, drainage improvements and park enhancements.

This is the second citizen survey the City has conducted since 2005. The first, which was conducted at this time last year, measured satisfaction with services and helped leaders set budget priorities for the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

The survey is being conducted for the City by ETC Institute, Inc., a nationally known survey firm based in Olathe, KS.