Initiatives

Survey Says...

The 2020 Resident Survey included questions about city services, quality of life, COVID-19, and diversity and inclusion.

For the second time in three years, the City of New Albany retained central Ohio research firm Saperstein Associates to conduct a resident phone survey. This remains the most effective methodology for randomly representing an entire community, as shown by the comparison between the US Census Bureau data and the survey respondents.

“This survey provided opportunities for residents to share their views on a number of New Albany service and quality of life issues,” said Mayor Sloan Spalding. “The timing of it also allowed us to ask questions about COVID-19 and its impact, as well as questions about resident perceptions of diversity and inclusion. City Council and staff recently created an IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Advisory) Steering Committee to better understand diversity and inclusion issues from a community perspective and help determine potential future actions and programs that may be undertaken to further embrace them. We will provide updates to our residents on these efforts as they come into focus.”

Gender Age Voting Wards

U.S. Census

Male 49 percent Female 51 percent

18-24 12 percent 25-34 9 percent 35-44 20 percent 45-54 28 percent 55-64 18 percent 65 or older 13 percent

Bureau Data

A 14 percent B 16 percent C 16 percent D 16 percent E 11 percent F 16 percent G 11 percent 2020 Resident Survey Sample (302 residents)

48 percent 52 percent

13 percent 8 percent 21 percent 25 percent 19 percent 14 percent

14 percent 15 percent 14 percent 18 percent 11 percent 17 percent 11 percent

Here is a look at the feedback for each aspect of the survey: Quality of Life

• 86% consider New Albany an excellent or very good place to live. • 88% believe New Albany is heading in the right direction. • 92% of survey respondents < 55 years of age believe this • 78% of survey respondents > 55 years of age believe this • Residents want more casual and fine dining restaurants in the Village Center core of town. • 9% consider traffic in the Village Center core of town to be a major problem, 29% consider it a minor problem and 62% don’t consider it to be a problem. • New Albany’s social networking sites and LIST e-newsletter are the two most popular sources of city news and information, followed by This Week New Albany News, the city website and internet searches.

City Services

Public Service

• 97% satisfied with snow removal on main roads 93% satisfied with snow removal in neighborhoods 96% with an opinion are satisfied with leaf collection services 94% satisfied with trash, recycling and waste collection

Police

94% satisfied with police services 94% with an opinion are satisfied with police outreach programs

Land Use and Community Development (including parks and trails)

85% satisfied with maintaining appropriate architectural standards for new construction 84% satisfied with developing and connecting leisure trails 83% satisfied with development of public park lands 81% satisfied with recruitment of business to expand the tax base

COVID-19

88% postponed or canceled a major event or celebration 83% are very or somewhat concerned about another wave of COVID-19 infections

83% had trouble finding hand sanitizer, toilet paper or cleaning supplies 78% noticed an increase in stress 67% know someone outside their home who has been infected with COVID-19 63% spent more time helping a child with school 57% of households with children lost child care for an extended time 35% found accessing health care more difficult 35% had hours reduced at work and 23% were furloughed 10% were laid off permanently

Diversity and Inclusion

• 88% believe it is important for the people of New Albany and local government to focus on creating a diverse, inclusive and fair city • 80% believe New Albany is welcoming to people of all religions • 72% believe New Albany is welcoming to people of all political beliefs • 72% believe New Albany is welcoming to people of all races and ethnicities • 70% believe New Albany is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations • Most residents agree that people similar to themselves are treated fairly by neighbors, law enforcement and local government. • Fewer believe the same to be true for people different from themselves.

To review Saperstein’s Community Attitudes Survey full resident survey presentation to City Council, visit www.newalbanyohio.org/answers/ survey.

Scott McAfee is the New Albany chief communications & marketing officer. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Independent and Assisted Living • Memory Care Adult Day Care • Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation

Wesley Woods at New Albany (614) 656-4100 wesleyatnewalbany.com