Woodlands County landowners are being asked to respond to a survey that will help the county better provide services to its residents.
“They’re trying to get feedback from residents or landowners on where they feel there might be improvements, or suggestions or how they feel about the different departments or how well they’re doing,” said county executive secretary Shannon Wharton.
The survey had its genesis three years ago when councillors attended a workshop on public engagement, said county mayor Jim Rennie. There, they learned different ways to get residents to interact more with the county administration to get their opinions heard on topics of importance to them.
This year, like in previous years, the survey is divided into two parts, he said. The first gives residents the opportunity to rate and critique the county’s departments.
Rennie said that section has proven to be enlightening in the past, especially when it came to the county’s roads.
“We really got our eyes opened, and in some areas we realized our road maintenance was fantastic and in some areas we realized we had a lot of room for improvement,” he said.
The second section is a chance for the county to learn about opportunities to get better services into different areas of the county. Rennie said an example of this is cellular and Internet coverage, which in some areas is quite spotty. Knowing which areas are in need to better service lets the county get providers in to provide the residents in those areas with better service, he said.
In the past two years, the survey has experienced a 70 per cent return rate, which is something Rennie called “remarkable” for such an undertaking.
In addition, he said that because so many people have responded, it makes the responses that much more valuable.
As for why so many people have filled out the surveys in the past two years, Rennie said he has an idea.
“If I was to sum up why, people realize that they’re being listened to and they’re taking advantage of the opportunity to be heard,” he said.
Furthermore, Rennie said it’s important for the councillors to hear from the people they represent on a regular basis.
“It doesn’t matter what we think in council, and how great a job we think we’re doing,” he said. “What really matters is how great is it from the people who need those services. That’s who we answer to.”
The surveys have been mailed out to residents already. In addition, it can be found online on the county’s website. All completed surveys must be submitted by Nov. 30, 2011.
