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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE 2011 Presented by

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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2 Overview Of Findings

5 Vision & Leadership

8 Quality of Life Rating Over the Next 5 Years

10 Voters’ View of the Escambia County Economy

3 Right Direction Or Wrong Track

6 What Are the Most Important Issues?

8 Escambia as a Place to Live

10 Waterfront

4 Support for Mayor and New City Charter

7 Rating Quality of Life Factors

9 All Voters Migration

11 Background

7 Quality of Life Rating

9 18-25 Migration

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011

Since 2008, the Better Pensacola Forum has annually commissioned the national polling firm Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. to survey registered voters in Escambia County and produce a Quality of Life Survey that gauges the voters attitudes towards local issues, leadership, expectations and plans for the future.

Jerry Maygarden, the executive director of the Better Pensacola Forum from 2008-2010, sees the survey as a valuable tool for county and city leaders.

“The first survey created a baseline to measure how the citizens feel about our progress,” said Maygarden in a 2009 interview with the Independent News. “We want to help local policy makers to choose wisely. We also want them to know that someone is going to set a new standard for accountability.”

The first survey in 2008 showed voters were concerned about their jobs and jobs for their children. Only one in four voters believed the City of Pensacola and Escambia County were headed in the right direction. They questioned the leadership ability of city and county officials, their vision and plans for the future. MasonDixon said that these were some of the lowest scores of any community that it had surveyed.

Since then, the City of Pensacola has turned over the majority of its city council, passed a new charter and elected its first strong mayor. Escambia County elected a new sheriff, superintendent of schools and replaced its county administrator.

The 2011 Quality of Life Survey was 22

commissioned as a joint effort of Better Pensacola Forum and Pensacola Young Professionals (PYP). The survey continues to document anxiety about economic conditions and job security. However, the findings also reveal continued positive trends and improvements in attitudes and confidence in progress being made, particularly in the City of Pensacola.

These improvements are anchored by a shared vision, confidence in the leader-

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Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Jim Hizer, new Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver and the administrative team that newly-elected Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward has assembled.

The Pensacola Chamber’s Vision 2015 initiative was launched in 2010. It is a job creation program focused on recruiting new businesses, helping local businesses expand and strengthening the part-

“With our quality of life, our vibrant downtown, worldclass bays and beaches and the caliber of people who live here, why the heck wouldn’t you want to live here?”

Mayor Ashton Hayward ship and plans for the city’s revitalization and a sense that things in the city are headed in the “right direction.” These improvements are in response to the new city charter, a stronger and more accountable form of city government and progress in the signature economic development effort on the city’s waterfront.

Critical quality of life factors continue to receive net negative ratings, including public education, job opportunities, affordable housing, crime/public safety, and effectiveness of elected leadership.

On the economic development front, there is new leadership with the new

nerships between the military and the private sector in the Pensacola Bay Area.

It has set a goal of creating 3,000 new jobs in the next five years. This more robust structure supports a more effective and accountable economic development effort. There is also the Escambia-Santa Rosa economic development collaboration that will hopefully bring greater regional leadership and coordination.

The voters’ optimism for these initiatives is reflected in this survey.

The 2011 Quality of Life Survey also documents striking differences of opinion between voters who reside in the

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City of Pensacola and those who reside in the suburbs outside of the municipality of Pensacola.

Survey results from 2011 show that 85 percent of city residents said that they are “familiar with and confident in the vision, plans and leadership for the revitalization of (their) city of Pensacola.”

This is a 28-percentage point increase over 2010 survey results. The dramatic increase in voter confidence in the city’s vision, direction and leadership provide Pensacola officials with political capital.

With this capital city leaders, elected and otherwise, have an opportunity to more aggressively develop, invest in, and implement policies to improve the quality of life for city residents.

It may also be that Pensacola’s current and present progress provides greater Escambia an example and confidence to make similar improvements towards meeting the needs and expectations of residents countywide. “ With our quality of life , our vibrant downtown, world-class bays and beaches and the caliber of people who live here, why the heck wouldn’t you want to live here?” asked Mayor Hayward.

He also has a challenge for city and county voters. Once we can get our citizens to buy in to what a great home we have, then we can sell this place to the outside world,” said the Mayor. “ We need to be proud of where we live and tell the world we want them to join us.

“There’s no reason why we can’t be successful.”

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011

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Pensacola & Escambia Co.: Right Direction or Wrong Track CITY OF PENSACOLA: RIGHT DIRECTION OR WRONG TRACK (CITY VOTERS)

ESCAMBIA COUNTY: RIGHT DIRECTION OR WRONG TRACK (ALL ESCAMBIA VOTERS)

Right Direction 78%

Not Sure 19%

Right Direction 47%

Not Sure 4% Wrong Track 35%

Wrong Track 18%

RIGHT DIRECTION OR WRONG TRACK

An overwhelming majority (78 percent) of Pensacola City voters say that the city is on the “Right Direction.” This is a 20-percentage point increase over 2010 (59 percent). In fact, the positive trend has made significant jumps each year since 2008.

Trend – Pensacola in Right Direction 2008

2009

2010

2011

26%

44%

59%

78%

Only 47% of Escambia County voters, both inside and outside the city limits, say that the county is headed in the right direction. This is a marginal 2-percentage point increase over 2010, but it is also the fourth straight year of improvement.

Trend – Escambia County in Right Direction 2008

2009

2010

2011

22%

35%

45%

47%

Pensacola voters’ optimism extends to Escambia County as a whole with 72 percent of city voters saying that the county is headed in the right direction also. Just 44 percent of suburban voters think that the city of Pensacola is headed in the right direction, and even fewer (41 percent) suburban voters say that Escambia County is headed in the right direction.

According to Mason-Dixon, these differences are driven by the real and meaningful progress being observed in the City of Pensacola’s governance and revitalizaPlaza de Luna / photo courtesy of The City of Pensacola tion of the downtown, ment chair, agrees. “ The change in as evidenced in subsethe structure of our government gives quent findings in this survey. our people hope that there is a more Courtney Peterson, Pensacola Young streamlined method for change to ocProfessional ’s Economic Develop-

cur in a positive manner, said Peterson, who is a cit y resident. “ The voters now have someone who is accountable for things to happen.”

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011

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How would you rate the performance of Ashton Hayward as mayor of Pensacola?

Positive Rating 70%

Not Sure 5%

Negative Rating 24%

Mayor Ashton Hayward

Agree or Disagree: The new city charter and strong mayor form of government will give Pensacola a greater opportunity for successful management of economic development and core city services.

Agree 70%

Not Sure 9%

Disagree 21% 44

SUPPORT FOR MAYOR AND NEW CITY CHARTER NEW CITY CHARTER

Seventy percent of the voters surveyed agree that the new city charter and strong mayor form of government give Pensacola a greater opportunity for successful management of economic development and core city services. The positive votes broke down to 80 percent of city voters agreeing and 69 percent of the suburban voters agreeing.

Attorney Crystal Spencer, who chaired the Pensacola Charter Review Commission, was not surprised by the survey results. “The charter referendum passed with nearly a 10-point margin,” said Spencer. “That’s close to being a mandate, especially in Pensacola, where if you advocated anything concerning change you were behind the eight ball.”

Spencer also led the effort to pass the charter referendum. She believes that City has great natural resources and the people to move the City forward, but the councilcity manager form of government wasn’t effective.

“What we needed was a strong leader that was accountable to the people,” said Spencer. “This survey shows that the citizens feel empowered by their new mayor.

I’m very optimistic about the future of Pensacola.”

MAYOR ASHTON HAYWARD

Ashton Hayward was sworn in January 2011 as Pensacola’s first strong mayor under the new charter. He has had one of the most successful first years of any previous Pensacola mayor, city council or city manager.

Pensacola city residents give Mayor Ashton Hayward a solid job performance rating of 70 percent.

According to Mason-Dixon, this rating is great news for any elected official, but in this anti-government, anti-politician environment, it is even more remarkable.

Mayor Hayward takes job creation seriously and has traveled extensively recruiting employers to Pensacola.

“It’s our job to tell the rest of the state and the nation that Pensacola can compete and be successful,” said Mayor Hayward. “That’s the biggest challenge we have–nobody knows who we are. Our message needs to be the same whether it’s the city, county or chamber.”

Mayor Hayward partnered with the Florida Fish & Wildlife to help lure HobbsSeaWorld Marine Enhancement Center to Bruce Beach. The opportunity arose from a visit the mayor made to HobbsSeaWorld’s headquarters.

“I believe that the passing of the charter was a tipping point for this community,” said Hayward.

“In my heart of hearts, I believe that in the next decade Pensacola will be a place where people want to move, open their businesses and live with their families.”

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011

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development of the City of Pensacola.”

This is a 50-point improvement over two years ago and 28 points better than the 2010 survey.

Trend – Confidence in City Leadership - POSITIVE RATING

City Hall / photo by Samantha Crooke

VISION & LEADERSHIP

Trend – Confidence in County Leadership - POSITIVE RATING

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

2008

2009

2010

2011

42%

34%

46%

54%

County wide, 54 percent of the voters say that they are “familiar with and confident in the vision, plans and leadership for economic development for Escambia County.”

This is a 20-point improvement over the 2009 survey, and 8 points better than last year.

The City voters are slightly more positive about county leadership than the suburban voters–58 percent to 52 percent.

CITY OF PENSACOLA

City voters are very pleased with their leadership, vision and plans for economic development, with 85 percent saying that they are “familiar with and confident in the vision, plans and leadership for economic

2008

2009

2010

2011

42%

35%

47%

85%

This is the first year the positive ratings for leadership, vision and planning showed a wide gap between county and city governments. Courtney Peterson, PYP Economic Development Chair, believes the difference is the new strong mayor form of government for the City.

“Our economy hasn’t been great,” said Peterson. “ We had the oil spill last year. I think the difference has to be the change in city government. It’s the one thing people see as positive and will change things for the better in Pensacola.”

County Commissioner Gene Valentino (R-District 2) agrees. “The new strong mayor has helped the City of Pensacola streamline its government,” said Valentino. “The county must do the same. We must have the political will to be bold.”

“The Board of County Commissioners has taken a strong position on economic development and agreed to do whatever it takes to get things done,” said Escambia County Commissioner Kevin White (R-District 5).

“Hiring Randy Oliver as county administrator was a huge positive step. We have a great staff and Randy lets them do their jobs. “

Of fshore Inland vessels at the Port of Pensacola / photo by Earl Caudell Photography

2010 Pelican Drop / photo courtesy of The City of Pensacola 5

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011

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Most Important Issue Facing the City of Pensacola 2011 1. Economy/Jobs

48%

1. Economy/Jobs

57%

2. Education

14%

2. Education

17%

3. Crime/Drugs

8%

3. Crime/Drugs

6%

4. Downtown Pensacola

5%

4. Oil Spill

5%

5. Poverty

4%

5. Taxes/Govt Spending

6%

2010

1. Economy/Jobs

30%

1. Economy/Jobs

30%

2. Oil Spill

21%

2. Oil Spill

30%

3. Taxes/Govt Spending

15%

3. Taxes/Govt Spending

12%

4. Crime/Drugs

7%

4. Education

8%

5. Education

6%

5. Crime/Drugs

7%

2009

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES?

Since the inception of the Quality of Life Survey, “Economy/Jobs” has been

“To create jobs in the 21st century, it’s going to take public-private partnerships. You’re going to see more of that on federal and state levels. Pensacola and Escambia County are going to have to look at how to do things differently.”

Mayor Ashton Hayward

“The city’s disparity study provides the area an opportunity to build a stronger and more diverse business community. It will be a game-changer once its recommendations are implemented.”

Lumon May, May’s Construction CEO

identified by voters as the most important issue facing both Escambia County and the City of Pensacola, steadily climbing to record highs in 2011. County, city and community leaders have taken notice.

“Vision 2015 is vital to our economy because only through a concerted effort by both the private and public sector can we bring jobs to Pensacola. Economic development is not just the role of government.

It’s the role of our entire community to help this area prosper.”

2009

1. Economy/Jobs

32%

1. Economy/Jobs

45%

2. Education

17%

2. Education

12%

3. Downtown Pensacola

8%

3. Poor Leadership

10%

4. Growth/Sprawl

7%

4. Growth/Sprawl

8%

5. Poor Leadership

7%

5. Crime/Drugs

2008 1. Economy/Jobs

28%

1. Economy/Jobs

28%

2. Poor Leadership

9%

2. Education

15%

3. Taxes/Govt Spending

9%

3. Poor Leadership

14%

4. Education

8%

4. Taxes/Govt Spending

8%

5. Crime/Drugs

5%

5. Crime/Drugs

6%

“With the completion of the Maritime Park and the Downtown Technology Park, plus the demolition of the Main Street Treatment Plant, downtown Pensacola is poised to take off.”

Collier Merrill, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman, 2010-11

“I believe the sector plan in Beulah, near Interstate 10, has the potential to have a big impact, especially if we get that interchange.

That’s very promising.”

County Commissioner Kevin White

“We have Saufley Field being developed into a private-sector economic engine. We already have aerospace and defense contractors looking at it.

I think we will have 1,000 new jobs out there in three years. People will be amazed at what they will see in Escambia County in the next five years.”

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6%

2008

Bentina Terry, Gulf Power Company Vice President of External Affairs & Corporate Services

County Commissioner Wilson Robertson

Most Important Issue Facing Escambia County 2011

2010

Workers at the Port of Pensacola / photo courtesy of The City of Pensacola

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Community Maritime Park Development

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011

Palafox Market / photo courtesy of Visit Pensacola

RATING QUALITY OF LIFE FACTORS

Voters are asked each year to rate 14 factors, ranging from environmental to educational to economic, that contribute to

the quality of life in a community. For 2011, 10 of the factors had single-digit changes.

The natural beauty and physical setting (83 percent) and the availability of outdoor parks, playgrounds and beaches (74 percent) continue to rank at the top of

the list. Public transportation (32 percent), effective leadership from elected officials (27 percent) and job opportunities in one’s field (21 percent) continue to get the lowest ratings, although there has been a steady improvement in public transportation and effective leadership since 2008.

QUALITY OF LIFE RATING

Total Positive Rating 48%

Poor 5%

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Cecil T. Hunter Pool / photo courtesy of The City of Pensacola

Quality of Life Rating Excellent 5%

Presented by

Good 43%

For the first time, the majority of Escambia County voters give negative ratings (52 percent) to the quality of life in the area. Only five percent rate the quality of life as “excellent.” The positive rating, those who say “excellent” or “good,” was 48 percent–a 10-point drop from 2010.

The largest increases were in the availability of quality healthcare (55 to 69 percent) and affordable housing (34 to 45 percent). Double-digit increases were also seen in vibrant nightlife (43 to 52 percent) and cultural opportunities (39 to 49 percent).

EDUCATION NON-COLLEGE GRAD 55% COLLEGE GRAD

36%

PARTY DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN INDEPENDENT

47% 51% 44%

Trend – Total Positive Rating 2008

2009

2010

2011

51%

57%

57%

48%

There are meaningful variances between demographic subgroups in the total positive rating: RESIDENCE CITY OF PENSACOLA ESCAMBIA SUBURBS SEX MALE FEMALE RACE WHITE BLACK Just Fair 47%

INCOME LESS THAN $40,000 $40,000 OR MORE

37% 51%

54% 42% 49% 43%

50% 42%

Plaza de Luna / photo courtesy of The City of Pensacola 7

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011

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Quality of Life Rating Over the Next 5 Years Deteriorate 6%

photo courtesy of Visit Pensacola Same 56%

QUALITY OF LIFE RATING OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS

There is some optimism that the quality of life in Escambia will improve over the next five years–39 percent, which is a marginal improvement over last year (34 percent) and seven points better than the 2008 rating (32 percent).

The majority of Escambia County voters (56 percent) say that the county will stay the same.

There was a 9 percentage point drop (15 percent in 2010 to 6 percent in 2011) in the percentage of voters who think the quality of life will deteriorate. This is the most significant drop since the first survey, which also had 15 percent saying the quality of life would deteriorate.

Improve 39%

Reasons for Deteriorating Quality of Life (Of the 6% Who Said “Deteriorate”) Poor leadership, vision and action from local government in addressing major issues

85%

No sense things will improve in the Foreseeable future

80%

Poor economic conditions

73%

Poor job opportunities

51%

Lack of entertainment/cultural activities

51%

Poor educational opportunities for yourself and your children

47%

Oil spill had made things too difficult

31%

bia County as a place to live for Recent College Graduates (86 percent), Entrepreneurs (78 percent), People in Poverty (69 percent) and Minorities (55 percent).

Most of these negative ratings are worse than they were in 2008:

Does Escambia County offer the kind of advantages and opportunities to attract and keep young people and talented people to the area?

Recent Grads No 79%

2008

2011

Change

90%

86%

-4%

People in Poverty 2008

2011

65%

69%

Change +4%

Entrepreneurs

Dog Beach / photo courtesy of Visit Pensacola

ESCAMBIA COUNTY AS A PLACE TO LIVE

Yes 20%

Not Sure 1% 88

For the fourth consecutive year, Escambia County voters say that the area is a great place for retirees (82 percent) with 24 percent rating the county “excellent” and 24 percent “good.” This is a 10-point increase over the 2008 rating.

The majority of county voters continue to give negative ratings for Escam-

2008

2011

Change

65%

78%

+13%

Young People 2008

2011

Change

64%

76%

+12%

2008

2011

Change

54%

55%

Minorities +1%

A simple majority say that Escambia is an “excellent” (5 percent) or “good” (46 percent) place to raise a family–little change from 2008.

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011 Out-Migration: All Voters

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Out-Migration: 18 – 25 Year Olds Likely 63%

Likely 24%

Not Sure 4%

Not Likely 33%

Not Likely 76%

ALL VOTERS MIGRATION

18-25 MIGRATION

The Escambia County population only grew 1.1 percent from 2000 to 2010.

Meanwhile the state of Florida grew 17.6 percent. This is in sharp contrast to the 1990s which saw the county population jump 12 percent.

The City of Pensacola has steadily shrunk from 58,165 residents in 1990, to 56,235 in 2000, to an estimated 53,762 people in 2009.

In the 2011 Quality of Life survey, a quarter of the voters say that they are “likely to move from the Pensacola area in the next five years.

Escambia County is losing 18- to 25-year-olds. In the 2011 Quality of Life survey, 6-in-10 households with 18- to 25-yearolds say that the young adults will be moving from the area in the next fi ve years. The vast majority (91 percent) say it is because of the poor job and businesses opportunities in the area.

Poor job/business opportunities

91%

Poor economic conditions

80%

Don’t think things will improve

71%

Poor leadership, vision and action from local government in addressing major issues

65%

Poor economic conditions

70%

Don’t think things will improve

67%

Poor leadership, vision and action from local government in addressing major issues

62%

Poor educational opportunities

62%

Oil spill had made things too difficult

40%

Poor job/business opportunities

57%

Lack of entertainment/cultural activities

38%

Poor educational opportunities for yourself or your children

41%

2011

31%

26%

30%

24%

2009

2010

2011

88%

84%

73%

79%

Trend – “Likely”

Trend – “Likely” 2010

2008

Overall the trend towards “likely” to move has increased since 2008.

Overall the trend towards “likely” to move has decreased since 2008.

2009

Trend – “Likely”

Why?

Why?

2008

eight in 10 believe Escambia County doesn’t offer the kind of advantages and opportunities to attract and keep young people and talented people to the area.

That trend has improved since 2008.

Palafox Market / photo courtesy of Visit Pensacola

2008

2009

2010

2011

53%

67%

51%

63%

For all the voters surveyed, nearly

Fiesta Days Boat Parade / photo courtesy of Visit Pensacola 9

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011

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VOTERS’ VIEWS OF THE ESCAMBIA COUNTY ECONOMY

Voters’ Views of Escambia County’s Economy Better 39% Worse 15%

In 2008, Escambia County voters overwhelming had a negative view of their local economy. The trend has been more positive but only slightly. More than eight in 10 voters give negative ratings for the county’s economic conditions, with 50 percent saying “just fair” and 32 percent saying “poor.”

Trend – Rating Economic Conditions in Escambia County

Not Sure 1%

Same 45%

How important is the development of Pensacola’s waterfront to the future of city Pensacola?

Very 62%

2008

2009

2010

2011

86%

85%

81%

82%

There were marginal improvements in the percentage of voters who say that the local economy will be better–improving six points from 33 percent in 2010 to 39 percent. Those who believe the local economy will get worse was 15 percent, a four-point drop from 2010 (19 percent).

The majority of Escambia County voters (62 percent) expressed concern about their or another family member’s job, which was slightly less than 2010 (66 percent).

Since the first Quality of Life survey, community leaders have launched several initiatives to improve the local economy.

In 2010, the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce launched Vision 2015, raising more than $7.3 million. Vision 2015 is a job creation program focused on recruiting new businesses, helping local businesses expand and strengthening the partnerships between the military and

WATERFRONT

Pensacola and Escambia County have love affairs with the water, even though most of the city’s waterfront in the City of Pensacola has been used for industry.

The Community Maritime Park and the Sanders Beach Community Center are important steps towards connecting people

Don’t Know 4%

the private sector in the Pensacola bay area. Its goal is to create 3,000 new jobs by 2015.

Escambia County, under the leadership of County Administrator Randy Oliver, has begun to streamline its permitting process. It launched “3 or It’s Free,” a process in the Building Inspections Division for obtaining a new single-family residential building permit. If the person does not get the permit within three business days the permit is free.

“This will set a standard and an expectation,” Oliver said. “That’s what government needs to be efficient.”

Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward has created the Office of Economic Opportunities and Sustainability to focus on job creation.

“This office focuses on aligning City policies, resources, and assets to support sustainable, private sector job creation,” said Mayor Hayward in his first State of the City address.

“My 2012 budget is based on my belief that if we make the right choices, we can continue to invest in our community to make it cleaner, safer, and more profitable,” Hayward told the Pensacola City Council and the voters.

“The budget continues that investment in capital projects that are creating jobs and helping local businesses, such as the Woodland Heights and Legion Field resource centers, the Downtown Tech Park and Admiral Mason Park, our new downtown library and the Community Maritime Park. But we also have exciting opportunities on the horizon, with the Marine Research Facility and Hatchery, and the Airport Commerce Park.” with Pensacola Bay. Countywide, more than 80 percent said that waterfront development was important to the future of Pensacola. Voters were uniformly intense about the importance of the waterfront development with six in 10 voters in each demographic subgroup saying it was “very important.”

Not At All 6%

Not Too 6%

Somewhat 22% Pensacola Beach / photo courtesy of Visit Pensacola 01 10

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY VOTER SURVEY - QUALITY OF LIFE - 2011

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2011 Quality of Life Survey Demographic Profile of Voters Surveyed

Fort McRee / photo courtesy of Visit Pensacola

BACKGROUND

The fourth annual Quality of Life Survey of Escambia County voters was cocommissioned by the Better Pensacola Forum and the Pensacola Young Professionals. The survey provides an objective measurement of the voting public’s awareness of and attitudes towards the many issues, challenges and opportunities that affect the quality of life in the county.

Quint and Rishy Studer formed the Better Pensacola Forum in 2008 with former Florida House Majority Leader Jerry Maygarden as its executive director. Their goal was for the non-profit organization to pay for an annual survey and share the information with the public, business community, and public policy makers so that they would have objective, reliable information on how the public stands on issues impacting the area’s quality of life.

The first Better Pensacola Forum board included Maygarden, Quint Studer, Carol Carlan, retired city president of Wachovia Bank, and John Hosman, first PYP president.

In August 2008 interview with the IN, Maygarden expressed the group’s desire to conduct this survey on an annual basis and eventually create an unbiased scorecard on the quality of life of this community. This first survey created a baseline to measure future progress.

“We want to help local policy makers to choose wisely,” says Maygarden. “We also want them to know that someone is going to set a new standard for accountability.”

The nationally known Mason-Dixon Polling & Research in Washington, D.C.

Studer, “to continue to make this area a has conducted every survey. The methgreat place to live, learn and enjoy.” odology is simple. Every summer MasonPYP plans to use the data from the Dixon conducts a telephone survey and surveys as a basis for white papers and larger sample group, 800 registered Webisodes that will tackle key issues, Escambia County voters . featuring knowledgeable experts addressThose interviewed were selected raning the problems, solutions and efforts domly from the voter registration records. related to top voter concerns.

The resulting sample fairly reflects the “The missions of both organizations demographic profile of voters in Escambia are in alignment,” said Rachael Gillette, County.

PYP Director.

The questions are essentially the “The Better Pensacola Forum is a same every year with one or two quesvery meaningful program. The Pensacola tions added or deleted. This year the Young Professionals wanted to make it participants were asked questions about happen.,” said Gillette, “Our team has the strong mayor and the BP oil spill been working hard and is already introrecovery–two issues that weren’t on the ducing some interesting changes that will radar screen in 2008. enhance the way the survey results are In March 2011, Better Pensacola delivered.”

Forum formed an alliance with the Pensacola Young Professionals, which agreed to takeover the annual Quality of Life surveys and to more effectively utilize the survey results to promote positive change in the Pensacola community.

“Quality of life is crucial to all current and future residents and visitors to the Pensacola area,” said Quint Studer, at the time of the announcement.

“PYP is the perfect organization to oversee the yearly quality of life survey and provide research and solutions,” said photo courtesy of blueangels.navy.mil

RESIDENCE CITY OF PENSACOLA ESCAMBIA SUBURBS

20% 80%

LENGTH OF RESIDENCE LESS THAN 5 YEARS 5-9 YEARS 10-19 YEARS 20 OR MORE YEARS

8% 14% 21% 57%

EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL SOME COLLEGE COLLEGE GRADUATE 24% GRADUATE DEGREE REFUSED

13% 0.1%

PARTY REGISTRATION DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN INDEPENDENT

39% 43% 18%

AGE 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ REFUSED

16% 17% 17% 22% 28% 0.4%

32% 31%

HAVE SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN? YES 27% NO 72% REFUSED 0.3% RACE WHITE BLACK HISPANIC OTHER REFUSED

75% 21% 3% 0.9% 0.5%

INCOME LESS THAN $25,000 $25,000-$39,999 $40,000-$74,999 $75,000 OR MORE REFUSED

20% 20% 25% 23% 13%

EMPLOYMENT FULL-TIME PART-TIME RETIRED HOMEMAKER STUDENT UNEMPLOYED OTHER REFUSED

42% 10% 24% 8% 5% 10% 0.4% 0.4%

SEX MALE FEMALE

47% 53% 11

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For more information, contact Rachael Gillette at (850) 332-7820.

To view the full 2011 Quality of Life survey results visit PensacolaYP.com orbetterpensacola.org.

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