FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT
MYERS, Fla. (August 8, 2002) – Lee
residents generally have a high regard for county programs and services, but are
concerned about the area’s rapid population growth and the traffic congestion
it has created, according to results of a statistically sampled Citizen Survey.
Increasing population, and the
growth and quality of life issues that has spawned, is the biggest challenge
facing the county, according to survey respondents.
Traffic congestion got the highest rating for potential problems, and
recycling and parks were the most widely used county services.
The survey was conducted by the
Colorado-based National Research Center in association with the International
City and County Management Association (ICMA).
The five-page questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1,200
residents in April and May. There
was a 42 percent response rate. You
can view the entire survey results at www.lee-county.com.
Other survey results include:
Respondents ranked population growth as being too fast and jobs growth as being too slow.
Traffic congestion, drugs and too much growth (in that order) top the list of potential problems facing us.
Public transportation (LeeTran) received the lowest percentage for services respondents had accessed.
Fifty-five percent said they receive good value for their taxes, with 25 percent having no opinion.
Sixty-six percent rated county services as good or excellent.
The highest quality ratings went to EMS and libraries. The lowest to land use, planning and zoning.
Thirty-nine percent said they were somewhat or very dissatisfied with the county’s efforts to balance growth and environment, and 34 percent said the county should concentrate more resources on growth management.
On an open-ended question “In
your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing Lee County?” responses
were:
| Percent | ||
|
Population growth |
35 |
|
|
Growth specifically effecting environment |
14 |
|
|
Traffic/roads/highways |
11 |
|
|
Schools/education |
9 |
|
|
Water resources |
7 |
|
|
Improving youth services |
3 |
|
|
Crime |
3 |
|
|
Development (buildings and corporate businesses) |
3 |
|
|
Public service concerns |
3 |
|
|
Employment |
2 |
|
|
Affordable housing |
1 |
|
|
Natural environment |
1 |
|
|
Other |
7 |