Government Service Levels, and Local Government Performance Local Taxes Government Service Levels, and Local Government Performance TallahasseeVoices is a pro bono internet survey panel sponsored by Kerr & Downs Research, WFSU‐FM, WCTV, and the Tallahassee Democrat. Survey results reported here were conducted between October, 2008 and September 2009. Over 500 of the 6,000 panel members responded to each survey question reported. Results are weighted to reflect the demographics of the 90%+ local residents who have access to the internet at home, work, or school. Contact: Phillip Downs, Ph.D., Senior Partner, Kerr & Downs Research Professor of Marketing, Florida State University Founder, TallahasseeVoices pd@kerr-downs.com

Citizens are Sacrificing Over 90% of local citizens have made sacrifices due to the economy Eating out less, buying fewer clothes, buying cheaper foods at the grocery store, using less energy, and delaying home repairs top the list 6 in 10 residents do not expect the local economy to improve until Fall 2010 6 in 10 residents pay a higher % of their income toward property taxes now compared to 5 years ago 87% feel their property taxes have not declined as much as their property value has declined in the past few years.

Citizens Want Local Governments to Cut Back Services citizens want cut FIRST Golf course ownership and maintenance Number of vehicles owned and maintained Number of administrative and management staff Sell property and buildings owned by local governments Reduce local government sponsorship of cultural events Repair and repave streets less often Reduce money given to social service agencies

The Economy & Government Spending is Impacting Citizens’ Ratings of Local Governments Ratings of City of Tallahassee government 57% positive ratings 38% negative ratings Ratings of Leon County government 54% positive ratings 43% negative ratings Positive ratings are normally in the 70% to 80% range

What changes have you made to your lifestyle due to the recent economic downturn? Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

What changes have you made to your lifestyle do to the recent economic downturn? Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

What changes have you made to your lifestyle do to the recent economic downturn? Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

When do you believe our local economy will return to normal? Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

Percent of household income towards property taxes now versus 5 years ago As a percentage of your total household income, do you pay a higher or lower amount toward property taxes now than you did 5 years ago? Results were adjusted by removing those who did not own property in Leon County 5 years ago. Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

Property taxes declined as much as your property value Property values went up rapidly from 2001 to 2005 and so did local property taxes. Property values have declined over the past few years. Have your property taxes declined as much in the past few years as your property value has declined? Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

Citizens Want Local Governments to Cut Back   6 in 10 residents want City and County taxes and fees to decrease or remain the same, i.e., no increase. Local government services/programs citizens want cut first: Golf course ownership and maintenance Number of vehicles owned and maintained Number of administrative and management staff Sell property and buildings owned by local governments Reduce local government sponsorship of cultural events Repair and repave streets less often Cut back on money given to social service agencies Close facilities that require financial subsidies to operate Reduce efforts to develop special areas such as downtown, the southside, etc. Cut programs where law enforcement interacts at schools, Neighborhood Crime Watch, etc. Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

Services that Citizens Do NOT Want Cut Back   Local government services/programs that citizens do NOT want cut: Emergency medical services Time it takes to respond to electrical outages Number & location of fire stations and fire personnel Drainage programs Emergency management services (hurricanes) Time it takes to respond to sewer leaks Local school funding Programs for seniors Judicial system Public health services Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

Overall, how would you rate the quality of services performed or provided by the City of Tallahassee government? Q.16 Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

Overall, how would you rate the quality of services performed or provided by Leon County government? Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com

Given what you pay in taxes and fees to City and County governments, how would you rate the value of the services you receive? Q.15 Source: TallahasseeVoices, www.tallahasseevoices.com