City survey results vary
Published 11:47 am Thursday, December 11, 2008
By Dennis Box
The Courier-Herald
The Bonney Lake Public Survey has been finished and, pending Council approval, soon will be posted on the city's Web site.
The extensive 38-question survey was sent out July 22 in the utility bills by the Finance Department.
According to Finance Director John Weidenfeller, the survey is a tool to assist the mayor and council in finalizing the 2006 budget.
Once Mayor Bob Young lost his attempt at a third term in office, the council directed Weidenfeller to put forward the 2005 budget with a few amendments to be passed for 2006.
When Mayor-elect Neil Johnson takes office Jan. 1, the budget process will begin in earnest.
The survey was sent to about 4,000 homes and nearly 300 were returned.
The 36-page survey gave some telling insights into the citizens' interest, concerns and dislike of taxes. Weidenfeller noted it was not a scientific study.
In the first set of questions, 51 percent said they enjoyed living in Bonney Lake, but only 19 percent “strongly agree” the city is safe and relatively crime free.
When asked if they were getting their “money's worth for my tax dollars,” 27 percent strongly disagreed, 35 percent somewhat agreed and 8 percent strongly agreed.
When it came to a question asking citizens to consider if the city was “headed in the right direction,” 27 percent strongly disagreed, 31 percent somewhat agreed and 9 percent strongly agreed.
Question four asked residents to, “Consider all city services on one hand, and taxes on the other,” and 63 percent said keep taxes where they are and decrease some or all services. The option to increase both services and taxes drew 21 percent support and 15 percent said to decrease services and taxes.
The fifth question - asking which city services should receive less spending - brought some spirited comments:
€ Paying the mayor.
€ If you would not send out this survey, you would have saved taxpayer's money - then lowered our sewer and water bill, right?
€ Any money toward City Hall
€ City of Bonney Lake has plenty of money waiting to be spent.
Question seven asked if residents are willing to increase taxes to expand Allan Yorke Park and create more athletic fields, 76 percent said no.
Increasing taxes for a Fennel Creek Corridor trail brought a 70 percent no and taxes for a community center was 75 percent no.
A tax increase for a sidewalk system was closer with a 52 percent no vote.
Another question asked for general comments and there were many extensive responses. The following are a few excerpts.
€ Overall I'm happy with the direction that the city is taking. I am concerned about the population explosion taking place in the city.
€ No more duplexes/no more housing developments
€ Please do not destroy all of the forest that the Washington State University sold. It is a beautiful addition to the area.
€ More than anything we need to clean up the bad areas of Bonney Lake and get out the trash and old cars. Close down on druggies. Get rid of the old name Bonney Lake had years ago.
€ I have enjoyed watching the growth and now feel like an old timer!
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.
