Independence residents should watch their mail in the coming days for a survey designed to gather opinions and feedback on City programs and services. From recreation to safety, infrastructure to economic development, the satisfaction survey addresses many aspects of City operations. The feedback collected through the survey will be used to improve services and determine future needs of residents, said City Manager Kelly Passauer.
A survey will be mailed to every utility customer in the city, and residents are asked to complete and return the survey during the month of June, after which the data will be processed and analyzed by Tanner LLC, a consulting firm specializing in local governmental research and improvement. The company is tentatively scheduled to present the survey results to the Independence City Commission in late July.
The survey questions are identical to those used on the 2021 citizen survey, Passauer said, so that the resulting data can be appropriately analyzed and compared to previous feedback.
“In 2021, the City received 791 returned surveys, which tells me we have significant resident engagement,” Passauer said. “But I’d like to see us grow that response rate even more this year and ensure that all citizen voices are heard.”
A postage-paid return envelope will be provided with the survey mailing, or residents also have the option to complete the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IndyKS2023. Completed surveys may also be returned in the City’s utility payment drop boxes at City Hall, 811 W. Laurel, and in the semi-circle drive at the Independence Civic Center. Individual responses to the survey will remain confidential.
“We take our citizens’ opinions and input very seriously,” Passauer said. “Citizen feedback is vital to helping us continue to serve the community efficiently and effectively and to continue to advance the excellent quality of life we enjoy here.”