By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Overall quality of life in Lethbridge rated 97 per cent in community satisfaction survey

Jun 19, 2018 | 1:23 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  Overall, the quality of life in Lethbridge, notwithstanding the recent spotlight on the opioid crisis, remains high at 97 per cent overall.

The survey of 400 residents ages 18 and over, was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs from April 11-22, 2018, and is accurate within 4.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. 

It was undertaken to get data on citizens’ attitudes towards local issues, quality of life, taxes, delivery of municipal programs and governance, municipal finances, communication needs and other priorities.

According to the survey, overall quality of life has remained stable, with 41 per cent of those surveyed indicating that life is ‘very good,’ and 56 per cent indicating it’s ‘good.’

88 per cent of those surveyed said they were overall happy with city programs and services, a five per cent decrease from 2014, and a 10 per cent decrease from 2005, when the surveys began.

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Overall, 70 per cent of those surveyed also said that property taxes were ‘good value,’ which is on par with results going back to 2008. In 2005 though, 85 per cent of those surveyed said property taxes were good value.

While satisfaction overall with municipal government, including City Council and staff is around 78 per cent, that’s down from 85 per cent in 2014. And only 18 percent said they were ‘very satisfied.’

However, over the past 12 months, according to data, only about 17 per cent of those surveyed said they actually had any contact with city council. In 2014, the number was 16 per cent, while in 2011 it was around 26 per cent.

53 per cent said they’d had contact with the city or one of its employees in the last year, the same as 2014, and slightly lower than 2011 and 2008.

This year, transportation continues to hold a top position on the issue agenda with 33 per cent of residents citing it as ‘important,’ similar to results in 2014, and a 21 per cent increase from 2011. Other issues with shifts include crime (14 per cent vs. 7 per cent in 2014), and the environment (17 per cent vs. 11 per cent in 2014).

Priorities identified by citizens polled include investing more money on maintenance of roads and sidewalks (59%), snow removal (56%), recycling (54%) and police services (47%), while ‘invest less’ priorities include arts and culture facilities (32%), recycling (15%), bylaw enforcement (11%) and public transit (9%).

Councillor Mark Campbell says the numbers show that overall perceptions of the city are good.

“We’re very pleased with all of those results. And that’s going to help us provide information that will guide us, you know, when it comes to budget matters and other important decisions that we have going forward as we get into our talks in November.”

He does mention though, there are areas for improvement, especially when it comes to perceptions of City Council.

“I think it’s cyclical. It was a new council, as well. You know, the timing of the survey could have been a part of the reason. And again, those are the things we’ll…even talking with people from Ipsos we’ll look deeper into it and see maybe. Get some reasons as to why you know, we’ve lost a little bit of satisfaction. I haven’t got the perfect answer right now.”

The community satisfaction survey is conducted every three years.