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Citizen satisfaction survey results reveal RMWB as a good place to work and raise a family

PHOTO. RMWB Jubilee Centre. Sarah Anderson. REPORTER.

The results of the first citizen satisfaction survey since 2009 were presented at the council meeting on Sept. 11, 2018.

The Municipality contracted Banister Research to conduct the survey and between June 26 and July 18 a total of 800 phone surveys were conducted, 733 by residents of Fort McMurray and 67 by residents in the rural hamlets as well as 256 completed online.

The survey assessed residents satisfaction around municipal services, contact with municipal staff, programs and facilities, municipal priorities, value received for tax dollars and over all quality of life in the city.

Highlights from the survey include 84% of respondents being satisfied with the region as a good place to work and 72% moving to the region for job opportunities which 58% cited as a factor that contributes to a positive quality of life.

In addition 76% of respondents were satisfied with municipal customer service and 70% were satisfied with the region as good place to raise a family.

Parks and trail maintenance, waste management and recycling, and water and sewer services were all identified as strengths.

Lack of shopping and retail along with a high cost of living were areas identified as factors contributing to a negative quality of life.

Areas identified as needing improvement are municipal planning and development, snow removal and ice management.

Councillor Phil Meagher questioned the snow removal, noting that in some cases such as major highways and the bridge are provincial matters.

“These statistically valid survey results are crucially important to the work we do every day,” said Lynda McLean, director of communications and stakeholder relations. “RMWB residents let us know what we do well and what we need to improve, and I would like to thank them for taking the time to respond to the survey calls.”

The results of the survey will be used to help the Municipality identify opportunities for improvement to services, programs and facilities throughout the region