Originally posted Wed, 2009-07-08 18:11

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. Jana Jasinski of the Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Central Florida speaks to the New Smyrna City Commission in July about the results of a survey on citizen satisfaction with city services.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Knowing a budget with a propsed increase in millage rates couild be a tough sell, city leaders paid the University of Central Florida $7,600 to conduct a citizen survey to guage citizen response to the quality of services provided.

Of the 513 respondents who participated in the surveys, all of whom were called on landlines (no cell phones) from a call list, 55 percent were in the age group of 36 to 64, followed by 26 percent ages 65 and older, and those 18 to 35, 18 percent.

Ninety-five percent said they were satisfied with the overall quality of life in New Smyrna Beach.

An overwhelming majority of residents said they didn't want to see cuts in police and fire services, with 90 percent of the respondents saying fire and police topped their list of important services, at 90- and 80-percent, respectively.

Asked in particular which of the public services was most important, nearly half the respondents ranked police No. 1.

Asked if they were satisfied with the direction the city is going in, two-thirds were satisfied.