- April 24, 2024
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The results are in: Residents of the town of Longboat Key remain generally satisfied with their lives and the choices made by their governing body.
However, much like last year’s survey, residents' main concerns focused on traffic and development in surrounding communities.
According to survey results, 68% of respondents noted they were either somewhat or very dissatisfied with traffic and congestion. The number made a jump from 57% of residents stating the same concern in 2021.
Town commissioners acknowledged that while they have limited control over traffic conditions or development decisions in neighboring jurisdictions, they can still provide information and updates as they are available.
This year marked the fourth time the survey was sent to residents on the island and the town contracted with the John Scotty Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida.
Stephen Neely of the University of South Florida’s School of Public Affairs delivered the report to commissioners Monday.
Approximately 50 questions were asked and all answers remain anonymous. Town Commissioners were given a summary of results at their regular meeting April 3.
Of the 8.952 mailers sent out, 1.348 completed and usable questionnaires were received, putting the response rate at about 15%.
“The response rate remains very high for this survey methodology, allowing for robust inference about the town’s population based on the collected responses,” the results read.
Questions and results were broken into eight categories:
The hurricane preparedness, canal usage and airport transportation sections were new to the survey this year.
In the quality of life section, 98% described their overall quality of life on the barrier island as excellent or good. Resident perceptions are among the highest and most positive in the state, according to Neely’s presentation.
Ninety-four percent of respondents said they were satisfied with the town’s beaches, 80% are satisfied with Bayfront Park and 73% with Joan Durante Park.
At least 90% of survey responses indicated they were satisfied with the police, fire and ambulance services and parks and town facilities.
When it comes to town government, 80% of residents answered they were satisfied with the direction of the town and commission, but only 70% said they were satisfied with the town’s elected officials.
Resident reliance on the town’s e-notification system, particularly Alert Longboat Key, spiked with 84% saying they use the service in comparison to 50% in 2021. Less than half say they use the town’s webpage for information. While 75% said they are satisfied with town efforts to keep citizens informed, only 38% are satisfied with current opportunities to participate in town government.
Residents remain generally unaware of town efforts to involve them, such as the Annual Hurricane Seminar, Citizen’s Academy or the Talk of the Town video series.
The primary issues residents wish to see the town address are
After Hurricane Ian made landfall south of the barrier island, commissioners had particular interest in resident willingness to leave the island when given an evacuation order. Just under 90% of respondents said they are very likely to evacuate for hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher.
During Hurricane Ian specifically, 90% said they evacuated the island.
Canal usage has been top of mind already as the town’s Public Works department pursues ways to implement ongoing dredging of town canals since the last major dredge in 2003. Of survey respondents, 37% said they regularly use town canals and waterways for recreational purposes. Particular concerns raised with the town’s canals were their depths and the presence of large boats. Both can make navigation difficult or impossible.
In the final section, airport transportation, 90% identified the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport as their preferred airport.
Mayor Ken Schneier asked Neely to consider asking residents in future surveys about what airport they actually use. While SRQ might be the preferred choice, it does not always suit everyone's travel needs.
When considering transportation to the airport, 75% said they would be at least somewhat likely to use on-demand public transit to and from the airport, if available. Such a service is available, but only to residents in the Sarasota County portion of the island through the OnDemand by Sarasota County service.
