Florence Community Survey

Several of these areas of livability are outside the services of the City of Florence and are provided by other governmental, non-profit, or organizational partners. The results of the survey have been shared with those organizations for their information into the community sentiment. These partner organizations were also invited to the August 22, 2024, City Council Work Session where the City Council received the 2024 Community Survey Report, and heard a presentation from Polco representatives and City staff.

The overall sentiment from residents related to Community Livability was positive. In rating the Florence community as a place to live, 82% of respondents had a positive rating, while the overall quality of life in the community had a 79% positive rating.

Key findings from the report include:

• Public Safety: A majority of residents feel safe in their neighborhoods, contributing to an overall perception of Florence as a secure place to live.
• Community Engagement: Residents are eager to participate in local events and initiatives, showcasing a strong community spirit.
• Services and Amenities: While many services received positive ratings, areas such as public transportation and recreational facilities have been identified as opportunities for enhancement.
• Economic Opportunities: Respondents noted a desire for increased job opportunities and economic development, highlighting a need for continued investment in local businesses.
• Youth and Family Programs: Many residents expressed interest in expanding recreational and educational programs for youth and families, emphasizing the importance of community resources for fostering growth and development.
• Childcare: The availability of affordable quality childcare and preschool was rated much lower than national benchmarks. This indicates a significant gap in childcare services within the community​ and an opportunity for improvement.
• Water Resources and Air Quality: Residents expressed satisfaction with the quality of local water resources, but voiced concerns regarding air quality, especially during wildfire season. This highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and proactive measures to ensure a healthy environment.
• Environmental Sustainability: Many residents expressed a strong interest in initiatives promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship, reflecting a commitment to preserving Florence’s natural beauty.

In comparison to other communities participating in the NCS, Florence residents reported higher satisfaction levels in areas such as community safety and quality of local parks. However, they also indicated a greater need for improvements in public transportation, job creation, and childcare compared to peer cities. These insights will guide the city in prioritizing efforts that align with residents’ needs and expectations, while considering the limited resources available.

“We are grateful to all the residents who participated in the survey,” said Mayor Rob Ward. “The feedback we’ve received is invaluable as we work to enhance the quality of life in our community. The City Council will consider the feedback from the survey as the 2025-2027 Work Plan and Budget are developed.”

The 2024 Florence Community Survey report provides information that will be helpful in setting goals and priorities for the City of Florence. The City Council will utilize the information in the report during the following activities:

• Identifying Priorities & Strategic Planning: The key findings highlight areas where residents feel both satisfied and dissatisfied. As the City Council works with City staff to develop the 2025-2027 Work Plan, this information will help inform which activities should be focused on with the limited resources available.
• Resource Allocation: Understanding residents' sentiment for increased services in several areas, the City Council will be reviewing the resources available during the 2025-2027 biennial budgets
• Performance Measurement: The report can serve as a baseline for measuring progress over time. Setting specific, measurable goals based on survey results allows the City to track improvements and adjust strategies as needed.
• Public Engagement: The enthusiasm for community engagement can be leveraged to create more opportunities for resident participation in decision-making processes, setting goals that promote transparency and inclusivity.
• Collaborative Initiatives: The City can partner with other local government and non-profit organization partners to address goals identified in the survey, fostering a collaborative approach to community enhancement.

By incorporating the insights from the survey into the City’s Work Plan and Budget discussions, Florence can effectively respond to residents’ needs and work towards enhancing the overall quality of life in the community.

The City of Florence encourages all residents to review the full report, available below. Interested individuals can view the August 22^nd Work Session video and materials at https://www.ci.florence.or.us/council/city-council-work-session-91.

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About The National Community Survey™ (The NCS™): The NCS™ is a collaborative effort between National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The survey and its administration are standardized to assure high quality research methods and directly comparable results across The NCS communities. The NCS captures residents’ opinions within the ten central facets of a community (Economy, Mobility, Community Design, Utilities, Safety, Natural Environment, Parks and Recreation, Health and Wellness, Education, Arts, and Culture and Inclusivity and Engagement).

The survey centers on community livability and includes questions about the quality of life in Florence, demographics, rating of local government services, and residents’ use of services. Polco’s highly skilled team of social science researchers, with extensive experience and insight into local government, will provide the City with comparative data from other local governments across the country. Data from the survey will assist the Mayor, City Council, and staff to make operational, strategic, budgetary, and policy decisions.

About Polco: Polco was developed to quickly deploy and analyze surveys online, providing the agility to gather critical information from community stakeholders throughout the nation. They have created tools for governments, economic development organizations and nonprofits to measure community livability. Respondents to The NCS are asked to join the City’s Polco panel to see the survey results and continue to engage with the city on future research.