Relieving traffic jams appears to be on the top of the list of concerns of Carson City residents, according to a public opinion survey released Thursday.
While 90 percent of the residents surveyed say they are pleased with the quality of life in Carson, 70 percent said they want the city to spend more money to relieve traffic congestion. Seventy-seven percent of respondents said they were concerned with traffic congestion.
City supervisors were apparently on the same page as their constituents. They have already drafted their latest board goals with transportation at the top of the list. Mayor Ray Masayko said it helps that Gov. Kenny Guinn recently committed to finish the Carson City freeway.
"I can't be complimentary enough of Gov. Guinn for pushing forward on that," Masayko said.
The board adopted a list of six goals for the fiscal year beginning July 1 that includes a commitment to develop a revised strategy to ensure completion of the freeway.
Supervisors want a strategy that is supported by the necessary formal agreements and approved by the Regional Transportation Commission, the board and the state Department of Transportation's board of directors.
Also listed in the board's adopted goals Thursday were:
-- implement and fund the necessary principal priorities recommended by the Economic Vitality Coalition;
-- develop, fund, and implement a public information function within the City Manager's Office;
-- pursue and develop a framework for agreement between Douglas County and Carson City for areas of mutual interest and concern, including implementation of the policies listed in a memorandum of understanding signed by the counties January 2001;
-- pursue and develop a framework for an agreement between Lyon County and Carson concerning areas of mutual interest;
-- board adoption of the internal auditor's work program by June 30.
The survey highlighted other areas of concern. Forty-three percent of residents said they wanted the city to spend more money on law enforcement. Sixty-two percent said they were concerned with crime.
Thirty-six percent of respondents said they wanted more money spent on public transportation, while 68 percent said they were not concerned with the lack of public transportation.
The 1997 floods that wreaked havoc on the city seems to no longer be in the minds of many residents. Nineteen percent of those surveyed said they want more money spent on storm-drain systems.
City supervisors were graded on their performance. While 59 percent of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the responsiveness of supervisors, a notable 47 percent said they did not trust that the city will do what is says it will do.
Supervisor Robin Williamson said she is encouraged by many of the responses.
"It's healthy," Williamson said. "This is an opportunity for everybody to give us comments. I always read them. I take heart with what they say and try to be responsive."
The random sampling of residents is done twice a year, in the spring to determine the level of satisfaction with city services and in the fall to help officials determine budget and leadership priorities. Of the 752 surveys sent out, 416 were returned.
Thursday's survey results will be used by the Board of Supervisors during the budget-adoption process for the next fiscal year, said Liz Teixeira, administrative assistant.
In other action Thursday, supervisors approved a 2 percent across-the-board raise for unclassified city staff who were not included in the Carson City Employees Association.
Supervisors Pete Livermore and Richard Staub voted against the raise, while supervisors Shelly Aldean, Williamson and Masayko voted in favor.
The raises will be granted retroactive to July 1, 2002, but will not be automatic. They will be subject to employees' performance reviews and anniversary dates, according to city human resources staff.
Carson Public Opinion Survey Results
How satisfied are you with quality of life in Carson today?
Very satisfied 20.1 percent
Satisfied 67.9
Not satisfied 11.3
Very dissatisfied .7
How satisfied are you with the openness/honesty of Carson supervisors?
Very satisfied 5.5
Satisfied 57.8
Not satisfied 29
Very dissatisfied 7.7
How satisfied are you with the responsiveness of Carson supervisors?
Very satisfied 5
Satisfied 54
Not satisfied 34.2
Very dissatisfied 6.8
Do you trust the city to do what is says it will do?
Yes 52.6
No 47.4
Spending to relieve traffic congestion
Spend more 70.7
Spend same 25.8
Spend less 3.5
Spending on law enforcement
Spend more 43
Spend same 53.6
Spend less 3.5
Spending on emergency service
Spend more 27.2
Spend same 69.6
Spend less 3.2
Spending on environmental protection
Spend more 20.6
Spend same 60.9
Spend less 18.5
Spending to increase tourism
Spend more 23.2
Spend same 51
Spend less 25.8
Spending on public transportation
Spend more 36.7
Spend same 47.9
Spend less 15.5
Concerned with traffic congestion
Not concerned 22.8
Concerned 77.2
Lack of public transportation
Not concerned 68.5
Concerned 31.5
Spending on street repairs and maintenance
Spend more 33.8
Spend same 63.7
Spend less 2.5
Spending on storm drains
Spend more 19.8
Spend same 71.4
Spend less 8.8
Concern with lack of storm drain system
Not concerned 85.6
Concerned 14.4
Spending on library services
Spend more 17.3
Spend same 73
Spend less 9.8
Spending on youth programs
Spend more 38.7
Spend same 54
Spend less 7.3
Spending on community beautification
Spend more 29.6
Spend same 61.2
Spend less 9.3
Concerned with crime
Not concerned 37.7
Concerned 62.3
Concerned with growth issues
Not concerned 36.8
Concerned 63.2
Flow of information to and from the city
Not concerned 82.2
Concerned 17.8
