1. City of Indio Community Survey SUMMARY PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL 220-2910 June 16, 2010 Presented by: Rick Sklarz, Senior Researcher

2. 2 Methodology  Survey Conducted May 4-9, 2010  Interviews conducted by telephone with 400 City of Indio respondents  Margin of error for the full sample is +/-4.9 percent  Margin of error for half of the sample is +/-6.9 percent

3. 3 Right Direction/Wrong Track 2. On an overall basis, do you think things in _________ are going in the right direction or are they off on the wrong track? The City of Indio The State of California

4. 4 Ratings for Indio City Government 3. I'm going to mention a list of institutions and organizations. After each one please tell me if you feel that institution or organization is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job or a poor job. *Split Sample (Ranked by Excellent) 77% 89% *The Indio Fire Department *The Indio Police Department

5. 5 Need for Additional Funds for City of Indio Vital Services Total Great/ Some Need 70% Total Little/ No Need 24% 4. In your personal opinion, do you think there is a great need, some need, a little need, or no real need for additional funds to provide the level of city services that City of Indio residents need and want?

6. 6 The Indio City Services Preservation Measure. To offset state budget cuts and limit cuts to police officers, firefighters, paramedics and ambulance response, pothole maintenance/street repairs, graffiti removal, youth anti-gang/anti-drug programs, senior services, parks and other general City services, shall the existing City of Indio utility users’ tax rate be increased three percent, exempting all seniors, requiring annual financial audits, citizens’ oversight, with no money going to Sacramento? Ballot Language Tested (Both developed in collaboration with and approved by City Attorney) The Indio City Services Preservation and Funding Restoration Measure. To offset state budget cuts and limit cuts to police officers, firefighters, paramedics and ambulance response, pothole maintenance/street repairs, graffiti removal, youth anti-gang/anti-drug programs, senior services, parks and other general City services, shall the people of the City of Indio restore the five percent utility users’ tax rate, exempting all seniors, requiring annual financial audits, citizens’ oversight, with no money going to Sacramento? 3% Increase Measure5% Restoration Measure

7. 7 Initial Vote on UUT Ballot Measures Total Yes 59% Total No 38% 5/7. If the election were held today, do you think you would vote “Yes” in favor of this measure or “No” to oppose it? Split Sample 3% Increase Measure 5% Restoration Measure Total Yes 58% Total No 33%

8. 8 Votes on Alternative City of Indio Funding Options Total Yes 43% Total No 50% 6/8. Would you vote yes in favor of this measure, or no to oppose it? Split Sample 2.5% UUT IncreaseOne Cent Sales Tax Increase Total Yes 52% Total No 44%

9. 9 Support for UUT Ballot Measure Provisions 11. I am going to read a list of provisions that may be included in (SPLIT SAMPLE A ONLY READ: “The Indio City Services Preservation Measure”) (SPLIT SAMPLE B ONLY READ: “The Indio City Services Preservation and Funding Restoration Measure”). Please tell me whether you would be more likely or less likely to support this City of Indio ballot measure if that provision were included. ^Not part of Split Sample. (Ranked by Much More Likely) Prohibiting Sacramento from taking any of the funds raised by the measure Requiring all expenditures to be subject to independent annual audits Requiring the creation of a citizens’ finance advisory committee to review all expenditures of funds raised by the measure

10. 10 Accuracy of Statements made About the City of Indio 13. I am going to read you some statements about the City of Indio. Please tell me if you think each of the following statements is accurate or inaccurate. Split Sample (Ranked by Total Very/S.W. Accurate) Without additional funds, City government will be forced to make cuts to vital local services Without additional funds, City government will be forced to make cuts to local police, fire and 911 emergency services City government needs more money to limit cuts to vital local services State government has taken millions of dollars from Indio that is supposed to be used to provide vital city services Due to a lack of funds, the police department has not been able to retain experienced police officers or fill vacant police positions Residents can trust the City government to be truthful about City of Indio’s finances

11. 11 Importance of City of Indio Services 14. I would now like to return to (SPLIT SAMPLE A ONLY READ: “The Indio City Services Preservation Measure”) (SPLIT SAMPLE B ONLY READ: “The Indio City Services Preservation and Funding Restoration Measure”) that we were discussing earlier. I am going to read you a list of possible ways that funds raised by this measure could be used. Please tell me how important it is to you personally that each of the following items are funded. Split Sample (Ranked by Extremely/Very Important) Retaining 911 emergency dispatch operators Maintaining the City’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to a natural disaster such as earthquakes Maintaining pipes and other city infrastructure to effectively deliver water to residents Maintaining 911 emergency communications equipment, such as radios and computers Maintaining 911 emergency response times Continuing police gang and drug enforcement programs Retaining experienced police officers Preventing the city from having to layoff police officers

12. 12 Continued 14. I would now like to return to (SPLIT SAMPLE A ONLY READ: “The Indio City Services Preservation Measure”) (SPLIT SAMPLE B ONLY READ: “The Indio City Services Preservation and Funding Restoration Measure”) that we were discussing earlier. I am going to read you a list of possible ways that funds raised by this measure could be used. Please tell me how important it is to you personally that each of the following items are funded. Split Sample Preventing reductions in police patrols of neighborhoods, parks and local schools Preventing cuts to ambulance response services Retaining and training firefighters Continuing youth anti-gang and anti-drug prevention programs Maintaining funding for senior services at the Senior Center, including meals-on-wheels Preventing cuts to graffiti removal services Maintaining city streets and intersections to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion Maintaining local youth programs at the Indio Teen Center

13. 13 Continued 14. I would now like to return to (SPLIT SAMPLE A ONLY READ: “The Indio City Services Preservation Measure”) (SPLIT SAMPLE B ONLY READ: “The Indio City Services Preservation and Funding Restoration Measure”) that we were discussing earlier. I am going to read you a list of possible ways that funds raised by this measure could be used. Please tell me how important it is to you personally that each of the following items are funded. Split Sample Maintaining public parks, sports fields and community centers Preserving building safety and code enforcement Fixing potholes and sidewalks Maintaining police traffic safety programs Maintaining local storm drains to prevent streets from flooding during heavy rains Preventing the closure of the city’s no-kill animal shelter Maintaining street sweeping and tree trimming services Maintaining community events like the Indio International Tamale Festival Maintaining City streets by funding blow sand removal services

14. 14 Vote on 3% UUT Increase Measure After Additional Facts are Provided Total Yes 59% Total No 38% 5/16. If the election were held today, do you think you would vote “Yes” in favor of this measure or “No” to oppose it? Split Sample Initial Vote Vote After Educational Statements Total Yes 66% Total No 30%

15. 15 Vote on 5% UUT Restoration Measure After Additional Facts are Provided Total Yes 58% Total No 33% Initial Vote Vote After Educational Statements Total Yes 69% Total No 29% 7/17. If the election were held today, do you think you would vote “Yes” in favor of this measure or “No” to oppose it? Split Sample

16. 16 Use of Local News and Information Sources 21. I’m going to read you a list of sources from which people get news and information about the City of Indio. For each, I’d like you to tell me how often you use it to get information about such issues: frequently, occasionally, rarely, or never. 80% 70% 19% 30% The Desert Sun newspaper Indio City Council meetings on cable television

17. City of Indio Community Survey SUMMARY PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL 220-2910 June 16, 2010 Presented by: Rick Sklarz, Senior Researcher