What improvements are needed in your neighborhood? When asked what the overall need to improve quality of life, 47% of respondents felt access to high-speed internet was the highest. Quality of schools and higher paying jobs were a close second and third. Not surprisingly, more trees and open space scored as the lowest need due to an abundance of this asset throughout Genesee County.
Housing 38%
27%
26%
Energy Efficiency
Code Enforcement
Home Improvement
Quality of Life
Community Survey In April 2018, the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission (GCMPC) launched a community-wide survey to hear from residents and community leaders alike. The start of the survey indicated the official kickoff for the development of the Genesee: Our County, Our Future Plan with three open house sessions being held in the City of Flint, City of Clio, and City of Fenton. The survey was also made available at http://ourfuturegenesee.org/. In the first ten weeks alone over 1,000 surveys were completed (1,079 in total) representing almost every community in the County. By completing this survey, residents will assist staff in the development of the overall goals and objectives for this Plan. The first question of the survey asked Genesee County residents to select their top three reasons for choosing to live in their neighborhood. More than half (56%) of respondents selected safety as their primary reason; with family (49%) and cost of housing (44%) rounding out the top three. Access to public transportation received the least number of votes for choosing their neighborhood with only 3%. In the next series of questions, residents were asked how they would rate on a scale of low, medium, or high the overall need for improvements in their neighborhood.
47%
46%
43%
High-Speed Internet
Quality of Schools
Higher Paying Jobs
Genesee County residents were asked what infrastructure improvements were needed most in their neighborhood. Respondents overwhelmingly supported road improvements, with 70% agreeing it was of the highest need. Other significant needs included sidewalk (path) improvements and the installation of a fiber optic network.
Of the options listed for economic development improvements, attraction of new business was felt to be the highest need at 63%. Both the creation of new jobs and retention of existing jobs also received high support. Commercial building improvements received much less support from respondents.
Economic Development 63%
53%
53%
Attract New Business
Create New Jobs
Retain Existing Jobs
Infrastructure 70%
43%
38%
Road Improvements
Path Improvements
Fiber Optic Network
The number one housing improvement most desired by Genesee County residents is more energy efficient homes. Assistance with code enforcement and the availability of home improvement funding rounded out the top three. Housing improvements that were considered less needed were a greater variety of housing types and the demolition of dangerous / blighted homes.
To help pay for transportation improvements, Genesee County residents were asked how likely they are to support each of the following funding methods: an increase in fuel tax, increase in local taxes, increase in state tax, increase in vehicle registration costs, an annual tax on vehicle miles driven, or the establishment of toll roads. 35% of respondents would at most “somewhat likely� support an increase in local taxes while 80% of respondents are opposed to an annual tax on vehicle miles driven.
Community Survey Page 1