Agenda Item Wording:
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Presentation of the 2025 Public Opinion Survey Results
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Prepared by: Chief Deputy City Clerk Reyna Rivera 559-713-4512 reyna.rivera@visalia.gov City Manager Leslie Caviglia 559-713-4332 leslie.caviglia@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council receive this presentation of the 2025 Public Opinion Survey results and provide comments.
Summary:
The 2025 Public Opinion Survey provides a professional, statistically valid assessment of resident perceptions and priorities in the City of Visalia. Conducted from August 13 to August 28, 2025, the survey reached 556 adult residents using a dual-mode approach with telephone and online interviews in English and Spanish. Contact methods included telephone calls, email invitations, text invitations, and postcard invitations. The results are representative of the community’s socioeconomic and ethnic diversity and provide a baseline for understanding resident concerns, priorities, and satisfaction with City services.
The survey asked residents to rate citywide issues and neighborhood concerns, assess serious public safety problems in the city and their neighborhoods, evaluate the overall job Visalia is doing providing City services, and indicate the importance of and satisfaction with specific city services. It also measured direct customer satisfaction with City interactions, use of city facilities, perceptions of recreation and community facility needs, and sources of information residents use regarding city programs, events, and issues. The survey took approximately 20 minutes to complete, providing meaningful insight while remaining manageable for respondents.
Background Discussion:
Since the late 1970s, the City has conducted public opinion surveys to gauge resident satisfaction with City services. The 2025 survey marks the first professional, statistically representative survey of adult residents, providing a more accurate reflection of the entire community. The Citizens Advisory Committee has long provided valuable insight through their surveys, and staff acknowledges the CAC’s decades of service and dedication. This professional survey builds on that foundation, ensuring results are socioeconomically and ethnically representative and reflect general priorities across Visalia.
Survey results indicate that over 90% of respondents have a favorable view of Visalia as a place to live, with approximately three-quarters reporting they feel safe in the community. Residents identified homelessness, cost of living (particularly housing), traffic congestion, and gang or juvenile violence as the most pressing citywide concerns. At the neighborhood level, speeding, traffic issues, homelessness, and crime were considered the most serious public safety problems. At the conclusion of the survey, residents prioritized that the City address homelessness, improve traffic regulations, and maintain and repair public roads.
Regarding City services, close to 75% of residents expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of City services. Services rated as highly important include police protection and services, management of City finances, fire protection and paramedic services, and street/local road maintenance. Satisfaction was highest for fire/paramedic services, police protection/services, and street maintenance.
Approximately six in ten residents reported having had contact with Visalia staff in the past two years, with about 72% satisfied with the overall service they received. Facility use varied, with roughly half of residents frequenting city parks five or more times per year and a third using city trails or walking paths five or more times per year. More than half of respondents indicated support for more aquatic facilities, and the next highest interest amenities were community centers, walking and biking paths, and BMX bike pump tracks. Social media, particularly local Facebook groups, were among the most frequently used sources of information about city programs, events, and issues.
The 2025 Public Opinion Survey provides a comprehensive, statistically valid snapshot of resident perceptions, priorities, and satisfaction with City services in Visalia. While results show generally positive views of the City and its services, staff notes opportunities to increase satisfaction levels regarding overall community safety, direct interactions with City staff, and engagement with City programs and facilities. The survey establishes a baseline for ongoing evaluation and provides actionable information to guide future planning, decision-making, and resource allocation.
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Prior Council Action: 12/18/2023: Appropriate $50,000 for the Public Opinion Survey and Authorize the City Manager to award a contract to Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3).
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
This is a presentation only and no motion is required.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: N/A
Attachments: Survey presentation