By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat shared the results of a citizens survey at the October luncheon for the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday, Oct. 17.
The ETC Institute distributed 2,500 surveys at random, in August this year.
Mayor Buddy Choat said the purpose of the survey was to evaluate city departments through the eyes of residents.
“This was not something that we wanted to do to say how great of a job we were doing,” said Choat. “We really wanted to know where we are as a city and what we could improve.”
The results of the survey were presented in percentages and were compared to similar surveys in the southern region of the U.S. and across the nation. A five-point scale was used, where a “5” was “very satisfied.”
Police and Fire scored 93%, according to the survey. The city library and the city school system both scored 92%.
The city scored lowest on city infrastructure and communication.
“We’re going to do better. We are trying to find ways to improve every day,” said Choat.
The mayor said the city is already working on infrastructure and hopes the results will help the satisfaction rating increase.
“I think this time next year, if we do this same survey, that number will be up,” said Choat. “When downtown is complete and you’re able to see new sidewalks, the landscape and businesses, the traffic lights and things like that are going to remove what I think was a negative connotation on the survey.”
The overall quality of life rating that residents gave the city was 86%. The mayor said he was pleased with the results of the survey and was thankful for those who participated.
Mayor Buddy Choat said the survey results will be used to help plan for the future and will help the city identify improvement points.
