Dunwoody 2015 Community Survey: Residents Value Location, Safety And Lifestyle

Dunwoody residents provided positive opinions and feedback on a recent survey inquiring about satisfaction levels with city services, amenities and quality of life.

Satisfaction Levels for City Services Remain High as Park Amenities and

Trust in City Government Show Increase Over 2013 Survey Responses

Dunwoody, GA – March 14, 2016 – Dunwoody residents provided positive opinions and feedback on a recent survey inquiring about satisfaction levels with city services, amenities and quality of life. Results from the 2015 community-wide survey gauging resident satisfaction with city services and opinions on select issues point to overall approval and agreement the City of Dunwoody is heading in a positive direction.

The primary findings from the survey demonstrated high levels of satisfaction with city services. The latest data, when compared to the results from the 2013 survey, reaffirms positive opinions from respondents who regard Dunwoody as a good place to raise children, believe the city conveys an overall feeling of safety and an upbeat quality of life.

When considering the strengths of the city, survey respondents pointed to location, safe community and parks as the city’s top three assets. Conversely, the top weaknesses as identified by respondents were traffic, streets and infrastructure, and transportation, results which were very similar to the data gathered on the same questions from the 2013 survey.

The 2015 community survey, as well as the survey conducted in 2013, were developed by the city and independent, third-party research firm Pioneer Marketing Research, a Norcross-based full service marketing research firm with more than 30 years of research and survey experience.

Comparing the 2015 survey responses to those from the 2013 survey, several key perception levels were notably different. Agreement levels with how City Council members handle city finances and the Council’s responsiveness to the community improved noticeably from 2013 levels. Opinions regarding the city’s parks also swung to the positive when compared to 2013 responses as demonstrated by parks being listed as one of the top three strengths of the city. Respondents also gave higher ratings to the Parks and Recreation Department, particularly when providing input on the overall quality of parks and the quality of trails and open spaces.

“Our goal is to listen to our residents and try to respond to their needs. By conducting this survey, the city not only collects important data and feedback but also leverages the input received in order to help address priorities, pinpoint issues, and improve upon what we are providing,” said Dunwoody Mayor Denis Shortal.

Based on the 2015 survey responses, Dunwoody residents on the whole: are very pleased with services provided by the city government; have a high level of appreciation for city staff and employees; seek answers to address traffic and transportation issues; show concern about the quality of schools; and, feel the city is a safe place to live, raise a family and work.

The city’s Police department received the highest ratings for quality of service followed by the Parks and Recreation Department which received a significant level of resident satisfaction with quality of service.

The survey summary presentation was provided to City Council at the March 14, 2016 meeting along with a final survey report from Pioneer marketing Research. The 2015 Community Survey report materials are available for review and download at the city website at www.dunwoodyga.gov.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY & ANALYSIS

The community survey was developed by the city and its research partner Pioneer Marketing Research and independently executed by Pioneer staff from August to December 2015. The citizen survey consisted of mailed invitations which were randomly distributed to 5,000 households within the city limits with instructions for completing the survey via the web using an individualized ID/password. The use of unique passwords prevented access by unauthorized individuals and kept the survey being taken multiple times by the same respondent.

Pioneer received 420 completed online surveys, an 8.4 percent return rate which is above average for community surveys using a similar mail methodology, and 47 residents conducted individual one-on-one follow-up telephone interviews. The maximum margin of error for total study results is at ±4.7% at the 95% confidence level. Pioneer concluded the study results are representative of and projectable to the population of Dunwoody citizens based on its scientific survey methodology and research, coupled with its analysis showing demographic data for study respondents generally match the demographic characteristics for residents of the City of Dunwoody.

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For more information regarding the City of Dunwoody, please contact Bob Mullen, Marketing and PR Director, at 678-382-6700 or bob.mullen@dunwoodyga.gov.

About the City of Dunwoody, Georgia

Dunwoody is located in metro Atlanta, in northern DeKalb County, Georgia and was officially incorporated as a city on December 1, 2008. The City of Dunwoody provides quality service to its citizens and supports the largest economic engine in the Southeast by planning in a careful and thoughtful manner. The City of Dunwoody is inventive, transparent and embraces responsible progress, tempered by the city’s rich history and strong desire to maintain a close and vibrant community atmosphere that values family life and the entrepreneurial spirit. The City of Dunwoody supports and nurtures a community dedicated to the preservation of family, education, religious institutions, and the environment.

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