Voice of the People Preference Ranking Survey Results

Outline Review The Survey Summary Statistics Consolidated Outcomes Outcome Comparisons Forthcoming analysis

Purpose of the Survey Support active community involvement and participation in the decision making process Elicit County resident preferences for values related to land use policy Provide an indication of the preferred policy direction

Why we used this Preference Ranking Method 1. ‘Natural’ extension to the PIF deliberation process 2. Helped us incorporate subjective considerations

Why we used this Preference Ranking Method 4. Provides a theoretical basis for consistent decision making 3. Can be used to help evaluate policies

What was inconsistency again? Inconsistent judgments meant the person was contradicting himself. Also know as: intransitivity

Why did we care about it? The more inconsistency, the more likely that the same results could have been obtained by randomly generating numbers with which to fill out the survey. This would decrease the confidence that the results are reflecting the participant’s values

What was allowable? To be included in the final analysis, overall inconsistency needed to be at or below 20%

What did we do when we found it? When a person had even one section of the survey with inconsistency over 20% the survey was returned to them with: a cover letter tailored example of consistency a return postage-paid envelope Participants were asked to re- evaluate the inconsistent sections

What do the results tell us? Priority weights tell us what values are considered important – and which are less important Indicates the preferred general policy direction The inconsistent sections indicate where there might be a need for more information or education

What don’t the results tell us? Not a random sample – can’t extrapolate results to the entire population Survey participants are self-selected, much like when people choose to vote or not. Doesn’t give specific recommendations for policy

The Survey – Values Private Property Rights: Property owners should be allowed to use their land for any purpose. Their neighbors should be allowed to do the same. 'Neighborhood' Property Values: Property owners should have the right to be free of spillover effects resulting from how their neighbors use their land.

The Survey – Values Local Ownership: Farming and industry should be owned by local residents rather than non-local residents.

The Survey – Values Environmental Considerations Water quality: High quality water enhances the social, economic and environmental health of the County. Air quality: High quality air, free from objectionable odors, enhances the social, economic and environmental health of the County. Natural areas: There are areas that should be kept in (or allowed to revert to) their natural state to protect native flora and fauna and unusual land features.

The Survey – Values Cultural and Historical Considerations: Cultural and historical places should be protected as they enhance the social and economic health of the County. Economic Considerations Jobs and income Local tax base

The Survey – Policy Options Regulation or Deregulation Market-oriented Solution Subsidy or Tax

‘Response Rate’ 150 Total Surveys 111 Usable Surveys (74% useable) 28 Non-Usable Surveys due to high inconsistency 11 Non-Usable Surveys due to blanks, >1 mark per line

Results of All Useable Surveys Values

Results of All Useable Surveys Environment

Results of All Useable Surveys Economic

Results of All Useable Surveys Policies RegulationMarket Tax or Subsidies Weight

Most Preferred Policy Legislation Neigh. Prop. Values Local Owner- ship Water Quality Clean Air Jobs & Income Tax Base Wght

Most Preferred Policy Market Oriented Private Property Rights Natural Areas Cultural and Historical Weight

AllLIFEPIF Weight Outcomes Private Property Rights

Outcomes Neighborhood Property Values AllLIFEPIF Weight

Outcomes Local Ownership AllLIFEPIF Weight

Outcomes Environmental Considerations AllLIFEPIF Weight

Outcomes Cultural & Historical AllLIFEPIF Weight

Outcomes Economic Considerations AllLIFEPIF Weight

Outcomes Water Quality AllLIFEPIF Weight

Outcomes Air Quality AllLIFEPIF Weight

Outcomes Natural Areas AllLIFEPIF Weight

Outcomes Jobs & Income AllLIFEPIF Weight

Outcomes Tax Base AllLIFEPIF Weight

Forthcoming Analysis Determine where inconsistencies tended to occur more Variance of outcomes Correlations of outcomes with respect to: age, gender, where they live, length of time in the county, education, LIFE or Town Meeting, etc. What are you interested in finding out?