Citizens survey helps provide direction for regional district

The Regional District Okanagan – Similkameen’s 2014 Citizen Survey results were revealed in November.

The survey takes  place every two years, and provides the regional district with feedback  on the organization’s performance from taxpayers.

The regional district board uses the information to help guide budget and resource allocations.

Examples of this year’s data indicated an 80 per cent overall satisfaction rating for quality of life amongst regional district ratepayers. Only 62 per cent thought the regional district was doing a satisfactory job overall, however.

It was also interesting to note that more people supported a tax increase for increased services (16 per cent) than would opt for a reduction in taxes and subsequent reduced services (eight per cent).

The 400 people solicited in the telephone survey represents two per cent of each electoral area. Christie Malden, Manager of Legislative Services for the regional district, said the current survey information may be analyzed in time to have an impact on the 2015 budget.

This year’s survey is the third one the regional district has conducted, and the first time for the online survey.

“We expect to continue with it as well,” Malden said in an email, “although the results are not scientific, as it may reach a different demographic than our phone survey."

The complete report on the 2014 citizen survey is available for download from the regional district website at: www.rdos.bc.ca

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories

More Articles