Community Survey Indicates Overall Satisfaction with City, Services

Results from a recently completed citizen survey were presented during the September 24 th Board of Alderman meeting and indicated overall satisfaction with city services, and higher than the national average results in terms of satisfaction with the citizens’ perception of the City in terms of the quality of education and as a place to live.

ETC Institute, commissioned to complete the survey for the City of Grain Valley, reported 610 surveys were completed, which was well above the sample size goal of 400 respondents.

The purpose of the survey was to assess citizen satisfaction with delivery of City services and to determine priorities for the community to assist with ongoing City planning.

85% of respondents reported they were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the overall quality of the education system within the City. This was 30% above the Missouri and Kansas average.

Likewise, the City ranked well above the Missouri/Kansas average on the question asking for residents’ level of satisfaction with Grain Valley as a place to live. 84% of respondents indicated they were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied”.

Resident satisfaction with customer service within City departments was also high. Notably, the City’s utility billing customer service was ranked at 72% “very satisfied” or “satisfied”, which is well above the national average of 40%.

Residents ranked the “condition of city streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure” as a top priority to be addressed. In the area of development, most respondents felt retail, industrial, and office development is too slow. 60% reported they felt single family residential development was “just right”, and 48% believed condo and townhouse development was moving too fast.

Aldermen Stratton said the report helped provide a “more true reflection of the community” than what may be perceived on social media. To view the PowerPoint presentation from Monday’s Board meeting, visit https:// www.cityofgrainvalley.org/wp- content/uploads/2018-Grain-Valley- Community-Survey-Presentation- September-24-2018.pdf.

In other news, Outer Belt Entertainment, LLC was granted another opportunity to apply for a liquor license for the Whiskey Tango property they are planning to purchase.

Following the denial of their initial liquor license application on August 27 th (which was denied following a detailed list of concerns provided by Police Chief Beale regarding the group’s other properties) representatives from Outer Belt Entertainment LLC, requested a meeting with City Administrator Ryan Hunt and Chief Beale to address the concerns raised.

Chief Beale explained to the Board at the September 24 th meeting that the explanations provided satisfied his concerns. Once Outer Belt reapplies, the application will be brought before the Board for consideration.

The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at 7:00pm on October 8 th at City Hall.