Title
Community-Wide Survey
National Wide Survey
NRC
National Citizens Survey
History
On September 19, 2011, the Board of Trustees approved staff proceeding with making preparations to conduct a community-wide survey.
As was previously discussed, the survey will enable the village to actively seek the input of residents and businesses in the community. Information being sought includes but is not limited to the following areas: community quality, community design, recreation & wellness, civic engagement, environmental sustainability, community inclusiveness, public safety, and public trust. This is the proposed first phase of a community-wide survey effort. The second phase will utilize the findings of the Phase-I survey findings to further evaluate specific community attitudes or concerns across service lines.
Option 1:
During the preparation for this project, staff began researching what groups are used for this type of survey. Orland Park’s “sister government,” the City of Novi, Michigan, recommended the National Citizen Survey (NCS), as offered by the National Research Center of Boulder, Colorado. Novi staff stated that they chose to utilize the NCS as their survey tool given the national credibility of the instrument.
The NCS has been conducted in nearly 500 cities nationwide in nearly every state. The survey is specifically tailored to the needs of communities in gaining valid, statistically significant data pertaining to an array of public services and attitudes.
Orland Park staff have contacted a number of National Research Center (NRS) clients and received a consistently positive response. Other municipalities that have used NRS stated the company brings much credibility and was one of the most qualified agencies for studies of this type.
The NCS is the premier citizen survey instrument and was collaboratively developed between the International City and County Management Association (ICMA) and the National Research Center, Inc. (NRC).
The NCS can analyze and report results beginning with a standard citizen survey to a customized citizen survey. The research firm will also generate a report that compares Orland Park’s results with those of municipalities of similar size across the country.
NCS would mail approximately 3,000 surveys to residents that would produce a margin of error of +/- 3%. These residents would be divided into different demographic and geographic subgroups. The surveys would also be available to those selected on the village’s website. Once the surveys are returned, NRS will analyze the data collected, presenting its findings in a Village Board presentation.
Once analysis of the first survey is complete, the next step (Phase II) would be to develop a “drilled down” survey or focus groups, enabling the village to focus on areas of concern expressed in the survey.
Option 2:
A second option is for the Village to issue an RFP for survey methodologies and costs in order to achieve the Village’s stated objectives. Staff anticipates that a recommendation from the RFP process can be made within six weeks. Once a firm is selected, some time will be needed to develop and finalize the survey questions.
With either option, Village staff will promote the survey to the community and emphasize the importance of providing important feedback to the community. This is akin in some respects to the extended version of the 2010 Census.
The total time from inception to results is approximately twelve weeks.
At the November 7, 2011 Technology, Communication & Community Engagement Committee Meeting the Committee recommended approval of Option 1 to the Board in an amount not to exceed $23,900. In preparing the survey questionnaire, there were additional options for questions that the Village selected which brings the cost to $30,000.
Financial Impact
FY 2011 Budget adjustment in the amount of $5,900 for the initial enrollment. The remaining$25,100 has been budgeted in FY 2012.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve accepting the proposal from National Research Center to conduct a community-wide survey utilizing the National Citizen Survey (NCS);
And
Approve a budget adjustment in the amount of $5,900;
And
Approve the Village Manager to execute an agreement with the National Research Center to conduct the survey in an amount not to exceed $30,000.