The results of Key Biscayne’s bi-annual survey, taken by 508 randomly selected families, were unveiled during the May 14 Village Council meeting. The respondents were highly satisfied with most departments and major services.
In fact, in the category “As a Place to Live,” the Village scored 53% higher than the Florida average of other similar surveys.
Ryan Murray presented the results of the seven-page ETC Institute survey via a Zoom camera.
The areas receiving the most satisfied responses were the overall quality of fire rescue services (92%), the condition of Village facilities and buildings (84%), the landscaping in parks, medians and other public areas (83%), and the quality of the Village’s Community Center (77%).
Based on the results of this analysis, the major services that are recommended as the top priorities for investment over the next two years in order to raise the Village’s overall satisfaction rating are listed as: 1) overall traffic conditions within the community; 2) overall quality of traffic enforcement; and 3) adequacy of Village street lighting.
Satisfaction ratings for the Village of Key Biscayne rated the same as or above the national average in 43 of the 50 areas that were assessed. The Village also rated significantly higher than the U.S. average (difference of 5% or more) in 38 of these areas.
The lowest satisfaction percentages came in two areas: 1) overall traffic conditions within the community (28%); and 2) the Village’s flood control efforts (31%).
Separately, here’s what the survey revealed:
Overall perception of the Village:
Based upon the combined percentage of “excellent” and “good” responses among respondents who had an opinion, the highest ratings for the Village were: as a place to live (96%), as a place for play and leisure (96%), the overall quality of life (94%), and as a place to raise children (93%).
Village parks:
Based upon the combined percentage of “very satisfied” and “satisfied” responses among residents who had an opinion, were: appearance and satisfaction of parks and open spaces (81%), quality of facilities/services for children (81%), and the cleanliness of parks (81%).
Residents would like to see improvements over the next two years: 1) appearance and satisfaction of parks and open spaces; 2) quality of facilities/services for teens; and 3) the cleanliness of parks. These remained unchanged from 2022.
Building, Zoning, Planning, and Public Works:
Based upon the combined percentage of “very satisfied” and “satisfied” responses among residents who had an opinion, were: cleanliness and maintenance of public parking areas (79%), the number of trees in neighborhoods (75%), and mowing and trimming along Village streets (75%).
The emphasis over the next two years also remained the same as in 2022: 1) the quality of beaches; 2) the quality of planning and zoning services; and 3) the quality of development review, permitting and inspection services.
Police and Fire Rescue:
Based upon the combined percentage of “very satisfied” and “satisfied” responses among residents who had an opinion, were: the level of trust in the Village Fire Department (92%), the quality of local fire rescue protection (92%), and how quickly fire rescue responds to 911 emergencies (91%).
The most emphasis over the next two years should be placed on: 1) enforcement of local traffic laws; 2) visibility of police in the Village; and 3) how quickly fire rescue responds to 911 emergencies.
Communication:
Based upon the combined percentage of “very satisfied” and “satisfied” responses among residents who had an opinion were: access to timely emergency information (76%), satisfaction with public safety’s Village Information Notification System (VINS) (69%), and the availability of information about Village programs and services (67%).
The most emphasis should be placed on: 1) access to timely emergency information; 2) the effectiveness of Village communication with the public; and 3) the Village’s efforts to support dialogue between residents and government, which remained unchanged from 2022.
Residents were asked to indicate how they get news and information about Village programs, services, and events. A total of 67% of residents get news and information about the Village through e‐mail updates/Village Connect; 61% get their information from local newspapers; 60% get their information from friends, family and neighbors; and 47% get information from the Village website.
Among some of the other findings:
Respondents were asked to indicate the level of priority for each item from a list of 14 capital improvement items. The highest priorities were stormwater drainage improvements (86%), alleviating traffic (83%), beach re‐nourishment (82%), and sea level rise mitigation (78%).
Based on the sum of their top three choices, the capital improvement projects that residents think should be most emphasized over the next two years are: 1) alleviating traffic; 2) stormwater drainage improvements’ and 3) sea level rise mitigation.
Also…
- The level of code enforcement is “about right,” according to 42% of the respondents.
- The overall value received for Village tax dollars and fees was 54% satisfaction.
- Enforcing the cleanup of litter or debris on private property registered just 51% satisfaction.
- Visibility of law enforcement in neighborhoods came in at 54%, but just 45% in retail areas.
- And 63% of respondents indicated they would be either “very supportive” or “somewhat supportive” of the Village purchasing land within city limits to develop additional parks, recreation, sports facilities and resilience efforts.
View the full results from the 2024 bi-annual satisfaction survey in the original news release from the Village of Key Biscayne, posted May 29th, 2024 by Hillard Grossman