Ann Arbor City Council Member Sabra Briere's survey offers surprises
When Ann Arbor City Council Member Sabra Briere designed an online survey about municipal budget priorities, she expected a few dozen responses from First Ward residents on her e-mail list.
Instead, a total of 773 responses rolled in after AnnArbor.com published a story about the effort March 2.
Council Member Sabra Briere, D-1st Ward, asked residents for help determine where the community's priorities lie for city spending. Ryan Stanton | AnnArbor.com
A key survey component was what Briere calls the “Put your money where your mouth is” test. The survey offered only $100 to allocate among eight priorities. The clear winners were public safety and basic infrastructure.
Parks and mass transit occupied the chart’s middle. Social welfare and green initiatives received the least support.
“In times of limited means, a safe city with a reliable infrastructure that is an economic powerhouse wins out over the other considerations,” one respondent replied.
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Survey respondents moved their money toward public safety and basic infrastructure.
• See a bigger version of the graphic
Briere sent out the Zoomerang.com survey on Feb. 28. The survey closed March 6.
“Overwhelmed is a positive word,” she said of the response. “I was quite surprised to see the numbers were leaping.”
City leaders are currently work toward closing an additional $5.2 million gap in the city's general fund budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. Briere said she was interested in input as city leaders discuss budget priorities.
Last Sunday, Briere spent eight hours in front of her computer, converting the raw data into usable information. While she admits the survey isn't scientific and has flaws, some clear conclusions still could be drawn.
“One of the things that leapt out at me was how many people wanted to support everything.”
The anonymity of respondents was maintained, Briere said, and 6 percent indicated they were not Ann Arbor residents.
One nonresident wrote, “Just wanted to say that although I checked that I don’t live in Ann Arbor, I hope that you’re still considering our opinions - I’m a business owner in the city though I live in Ypsilanti, and all of these things affect us and the city that we live in and do business in.”
She found that 68 percent of respondents predicted the city would have less money for the next fiscal year, which begins in July 2011. Some 24 percent said they think there will be about the same amount.
While support for public safety is high, the survey further analyzed that by allowing people to allocate their preferences for police enforcement priorities. Few strong objections were expressed to cutbacks in the investigation of underage drinking on football Saturdays. Cuts in traffic enforcement also prompted relatively few objections.
But the idea of reducing investigations of serious crimes was strongly resisted.
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Survey respondents gave underage drinking a pass and sniffed at traffic enforcement.
• See a bigger version of the graphic
Survey findings show people are somewhat confused and need more information about ideas for raising additional funds, whether through a city income tax or Headlee rollbacks that could increase property tax revenue.
“A lot of people don’t want to see taxes go up, period,” Briere said. “Others were willing if they weren’t the only ones dealing with it.”
The issue of selling or leasing parks generated the most dramatic opposition, and Briere admitted being “surprised by that divide.”
Some feel the parks are a luxury and would be better used by adding them to the tax rolls. Others favor a minimally sustaining approach to the needs of parks and community centers until the city’s fortunes improve.
“I don’t care what happens to the golf courses, so long as the land isn’t sold without a vote,” wrote one person.
Briere said she was surprised overall by how hard it was for respondents to determine “core values of how Ann Arbor hunkers down.” She added the city isn’t in a unique position since municipalities all over the country are faced with deficits and cuts.
“I’m intrigued by how that news doesn’t seem to be filtering to our community.”
Ronald Ahrens is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
A2K
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 1:14 p.m.
I felt the survey was thoughtfully worded, and gave me some things to think about. Well done!
a2grateful
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 10:06 a.m.
Unfortunately, our leaders appear to view citizens as mindless cash cows with money to burn. Is citizenry purpose viewed as the means to enable cascading mindless folly? When I read a post from a fixed-income senior that is struggling, it puts everything in perspective. Baby boomers take note: it's you very soon! The true character of government can be measured by how it treats its weakest constituents. Is the true monument for new City Hall going to be a giant punching fist? Face it. Many people in a2 are not able to pay higher taxes. Raise the cost of living, while reducing service. This is the mantra for Team Hieftje and crew. It's shameful and outrageous!
CAARP
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 9:41 a.m.
The "bigger version of the graphic" link takes us to a graphic of the same size.
thurber
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
dfossil: I empathize. Your plight (living on a fixed income) is one that I have not heard our city officials address. They take care of their own: DDA staff just got a nifty taxpayer funded 41 percent increase in their health and pension packages; the firemen get a six figure retirement income paid by the city; I could go on. Those same city officials are now contemplating a Headlee rollback (which would greatly increase your property taxes and cost of housing which you clearly cannot afford to pay) and those same officials are always earnestly working to promote "affordable housing: in Ann Arbor. Help me understand how the city is working to promote affordable housing while making housing unaffordable for those living on fixed incomes. Who is representing the elderly and those living on a fixed income, many of whom don't have internet access and therefore probably would not have knowledge of this Headlee business? Can you help me understand?
dfossil
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 8:18 a.m.
I am on social security that I paid into for about 50 years. The Federal government says there is no inflation so there will be no cost of living increase for two years yet my Blue Cross/Blue Shield went up 77% per month. I have to live in my budget. There is no option. Ann Arbor will have to also. They like, I, will have to make tough choices. It's this way for everyone.
KJMClark
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 7:55 a.m.
I took the survey and have to echo a2cents point. Since there was no 10% category for spending, I put everything at zero except two categories that I thought were most important. I bet the missing 10% category skewed the results. It would be great if someone, AA.com, City Council, the DDA, or someone else could pay for a random sample survey of registered voters at this point. However, if someone does, please tell the survey company that they shouldn't just use the telephone, since my family only answers the phone for family calls. I know I'm not the only one who despises telemarketing.
bruno_uno
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 7:33 a.m.
I think I did this survey in college, its called maslows hierarchy of needs, of course i want food and water before going to the park and id like to get to the park safely.
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 12:32 a.m.
Interesting: the first two comments listed in the survey results urged reductions in city worker compensation... Council members will gain much political traction supporting the normalization of city worker compensation to levels closer to national averages. This single act would stop all city layoffs, eliminate the budget deficit, and allow taxes to be lowered.
MB111
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 10:45 p.m.
I hope City Hall wakes up and realizes that their pet projects are NOT what the people want.
thurber
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 9:40 p.m.
Council serves mystifying foods at breathtaking prices to a clientele that wants meat and potatoes. Time to fire the chef and hire a good cook or this restaurant goes bankrupt.
David Cahill
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 7:35 p.m.
There is a reversal of figures in the article which I hope AnnArbor.com can fix. It should say that 68% of the respondents predicted that the City would have less money available to put into its budget 12 months from nhow, and that 24% said the city would have about the same amount.
alterego
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 7:11 p.m.
Hey a2cents, I was mystified by the lack of a 10% option, then I realized that it was probably a typo. It's really too bad that our elected leaders ARE human and prone to error once in awhile. At least they're trying. Better them than me, because I've got enough error to fill a few tires.
ChuckL
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 7:01 p.m.
Flush the buckets! Fill the budget shortfall in the general fund with surpluses in other funds(aka "buckets"). Sabra's poll was the type I refer to as the, "Nuke'em or Napalm'em" choices. The most important choice was not even one of the choices, using surpluses in other city funds to make up for the gap in the general fund.
a2grateful
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 4:35 p.m.
Briere:... Municipalities all over the country are faced with deficits and cuts. Im intrigued by how that news doesnt seem to be filtering to our community. I am more intrigued by the City government stating how broke it is, while moving general fund money between city funds: $2mil for Google here, $1mil for folly fountains there. All by discretionary resolution, of course. Anyone on Council talking about the budget surpluses? $10mil in solid waste, $10mil in fleet fund, $25mil in street funds, $5mil in IT? How about crazy spending? $6mil on police buyouts, $6mil on new cars How about underground parking garages, folly hotels, conference centers on the site of demolished affordable housing, single-stream recycling, folly wealthy artist digs, consultants, consultants, consultants, ad nausea... Where does this fraud, deceit, and subterfuge end? It doesn't, unless voters wake up. Will you be voting for status quo leadership in primaries? How about Headlee rollbacks in November? What about an income tax? Do you support paying early retirement benefits at a higher level than actual salaries earned? Consider that many of these retirees may be collecting retirement benefits for about fifty years. Do you favor reduced City service in light of budget surpluses, folly funds, and pleas for more taxes amidst claims of fiscal hardship? Hmmm... Should be quite an interesting election...
RUKiddingMe
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.
How could only 773 people have filled this out? For a shot at taking very little time for absolutely free to state your opinion on the issues available, I am horrified that that FEW responded. I myself heavily (some would say forcably) encouraged (some would say forced) 13 people to fill this out. Was everyone telling everyone about this? Was it just not worth the time? Can we do something to encourage more of this type of seeking public feedback, and getting more people to give it?
a2cents
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 4:08 p.m.
I was put off by not being allowed to do 10% contributions, thus forcing absurd allocations. 20% for parks or homeless seemed unrealistic.
AlphaAlpha
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.
Can we have the complete results? Including comments? Please?
David Cahill
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 3:22 p.m.
Here is a link to Sabra's report of the survey results. I hope this works. http://ann-arbor-neighborhoods.googlegroups.com/web/SurveyResults10.pdf?gda=ID8Ow0UAAAB60YR8cUf28sBOfC1zaMH4uFMJJ2_qtdpgcLwLijE6WgbMngcT8H51OVAgrQGXwBEcn8WIbWh5zqeDKtDBmq67Gu1iLHeqhw4ZZRj3RjJ_-A&_done=%252Fgroup%252Fann-arbor-neighborhoods%253F
Shirley Zempel
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 3:13 p.m.
Thanks to council member Briere for what must have been a lot of work, and also thanks for asking. Too many in city council don't care what the residents think. They feel very sure they know what we should think. I have a couple of comments I feel very strongly about. First and foremost before embarking on any action affecting a portion of the population, please talk to those involved and really listen. Allowing PUDs to change the zoning codes is one biggy, giving away public land to developers is another (library lot), and spending tons of money without consulting the voters (police, courts building, offer to build a conference place to suit developers, and any major spending. Too bad the initiative "Ask Voters First" didn't pass.
uawisok
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 3:05 p.m.
Good for her to take the innitiative to actually want residents feedback...that's a step in the correct direction!
BornNRaised
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 2:59 p.m.
Yet another survey that tells the council members the same things over and over again. When it's time for council to vote on the budget, let's see how well they've been listening.