Junction City Growth Survey March 2008 Joyce Wolfe Docking Institute of Public Affairs Fort Hays State University Hays, KS

What is the Docking Institute of Public Affairs? A university-based research, planning, and policy facilitation organization Mission To facilitate effective public policy decision-making among governmental and non-profit entities. Services Survey Research and Program Evaluation Strategic Planning and Focus Group Research Grant Facilitation Economic Impact Analysis Public Policy Analysis Student Internships

Study Purpose The purpose of the Junction City Growth Survey is to ask resident of Junction City their opinions about growth in the area. Topic areas: Positive aspects of growth Negative aspects of growth Approval of local governing bodies Opinions on property taxes and taxes for new commercial development Concerns about growth and population Housing status Demographic information

Methodology Survey 400 randomly selected residents a. March 24 – April 10, 2008 b. Average completion time 8 minutes c. 55% Female, 45% Male d. Cooperation rate = 55% e. Cooperation rate including those screened out for living outside Junction City limits = 61% f. Margin of error = +/- 4.9% at a 95% confidence level

Results –Demographics Age 2000 Census Current Study Difference

Results - Renters The percentage of renters in the sample (20%) is half of the percentage of renters in Junction City (2000 Census).

Results - Discussion Potential explanations for these findings include: Young people tend to use cell phones, tend to be renters, and tend to be mobile Those with lower incomes tend to use cell phones, tend to be renters, and tend to be mobile Many military, who tend to be young and renters, declined to participate For this reason, data weighted???

Results - Demographics Working Status –Employed, self employed, or military –Unemployed, student, or homemaker –Retired

Results - Demographics Own or manage a business in Junction City: Registered to vote in Junction City: How many years lived in Junction City:

Results – Positive Aspects of Growth (In descending order of combined strongly agree and agree.) Strongly Agree Don’t Know Job opportunities improved Many people in the community have benefited from growth Recreational opportunities Improved Growth managed as well as possible by local officials Availability of affordable housing improved Supply of day care providers is adequate

Results – Negative Aspects of Growth (In descending order of combined strongly agree and agree.) Strongly Agree Don’t Know Too many empty housing developments Community grown too quickly Supply of health services overwhelmed Traffic has become too congested

Results – Approval of Governing Bodies (In descending order of combined strongly approve and approve.) Strongly Approve Don’t Know Job done by Geary County USD 475 School Board Job done by the Geary County Commission Job done by the Junction City - City Commission

Results – Housing Questions Home Owners: 77.7% Among homeowners: Has a mortgage: 61.3% Owns rental properties: 13.4% Very upset increased valuation: 68.8%

Results – Property Tax Value Compared to Value of Services Getting More Than Money’s Worth Getting Money’s Worth Getting Less Than Money’s Worth Don’t Know Home Owners Non-Home Owners Retired Non-Retired

Results – Support of Tax Dollar Usage for Commercial Development Strongly Approve Disapprove Strongly Disapprove Local tax dollars spent to recruit new retail business Local tax dollars spent to recruit new industries

Results – Perceptions of Various Prospective Development Areas Prime Location Not a Prime Location South Washington and I-70 Corridor East Chestnut and I-70 Corridor Washington and 6 th Street Corridor Downtown Junction City North Washington and Grant Avenue Corridor

Results – Desired JC Population What should Junction City’s population be in five years? 37.5% 19,000-25, % Don’t know 16.7% 26,000-30, % 31,000+

Results – Growth Concerns Major Concerns about continued growth in Junction City? 56.8% of respondents yes –Main concerns are:

Contact Information Joyce Wolfe Docking Institute of Public Affairs Fort Hays State University Hays, KS