1. 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 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

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

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

9. 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,

10. 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,

11. 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,

12. 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,

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

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

15. 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,