Taxpayer Group Releases Survey Findings

SEA ISLE CITY — The Sea Isle City Taxpayers Association (SICTA) conducted a town-wide, on-line survey again this year.
Participants took 10 minutes to express their opinion on 36 different municipal services as well as topical issues affecting their quality of life in Sea Isle City. The survey gives everyone a chance to set the record straight, by telling SICTA what is being provided superbly and what may be missing the mark. They also let everyone hear credible feedback from all our fellow citizens. All completed surveys were anonymous, confidential and, used only on an aggregated basis.
Results have been tabulated, and here are the Top 5 observations (with apologies to David Letterman):
#5 – Public Works Department had a pattern of improved performance, with the amusements/marina area, rest rooms, beach, city parks and civic buildings all rated higher this year. Roads and storm runoff management continued as two of our weaker dissatisfied ratings. All other City departments and services were almost unchanged.
#4 – Taxpayers are much more satisfied about “receiving a great deal for their tax dollars” and “SIC is doing a good job promoting business development”, with stronger ratings this year.
#3 – Our own SICTA services to taxpayers were somewhat better, continuing a pattern of satisfied respondents. Most of you want SICTA to concentrate future efforts on city spending, non-resident taxpayer voting rights, water & sewer and parking.
#2 – You continue to feel very strongly that “business maintain a presence in town”, that we should “preserve our small town quality of life” and that the “elementary school is too expensive”. At the other end of the spectrum, “parking is adequate during the summer season” is our worse rated item and deteriorated slightly more.
#1 – A question on sewer bills debuted this year with 72% of you agreeing that “large users are not being charged their fair share”. Many comments were also submitted on this issue. Your strong rating placed this up there with your opinions on business presence, small town life and elementary school issues.
All surveyed services and issues, as well as almost 500 written comments, are included in our summary report available on the SICTA website (www.sicta.org). It’s worth your time to hear what others are thinking about Sea Isle City.