Survey shows strong approval of Marion’s quality of life

MARION — Nine out of 10 survey respondents gave a good or excellent rating to Marion’s quality of life, according to results from a community survey released Tuesday, with a similar percentage saying they feel “very” or “somewhat” safe in both their own neighborhoods and in Uptown Marion.

City Communications Director Amber Bisinger presented the results of its third Nation Community Survey to the City Council during its work session. The survey, a partnership with the National Research Center, was conducted between December and February.

Surveys were distributed to a random sample of 2,700 households in Marion, and 543 residents responded for about a 20 percent response rate, answering questions about the economy, safety, parks and recreation, health and wellness as well as education and arts and culture and community design.

The city also requested data from other cities with populations between 25,000 and 55,000 with an average household income between $50,000 and $75,000 as benchmark comparisons.

When asked about which parts of the community the city should focus on over the next couple of years, about 90 percent of respondents said overall utility infrastructure. About two-thirds of survey respondents gave positive ratings to the quality of the utility infrastructure, which is equal to the national average.

About 75 percent gave high marks to the quality of garbage collection, sewer services, power and stormwater management. But internet access and drinking water scored lower. Drinking water was the lowest-rated utility category, which at 47 percent is lower than national and peer comparisons, according to the survey.

While residents had an overall positive outlook on the ability to travel by car or bicycle or walk throughout Marion, only 43 percent rated the ease of public parking as excellent or good and only 29 percent rated the city’s public transportation as excellent or good.

More than half also said that Marion has well-planned residential and commercial growth, with almost three-fourths saying the overall quality of new development is good or excellent.

But less than half gave high marks on the availability of affordable quality housing.

Survey respondents also answered questions about diversity and inclusion. Of respondents, 57 percent gave high ratings on the city attracting people of diverse backgrounds, and 66 percent said the city values and respects residents of diverse backgrounds.

City Manager Ryan Waller said the results are invaluable as the city revisits its strategic plan and budget process for fiscal 2024.

“Having access to this data helps ensure we continue to fund projects, programs and initiatives that align with our community’s feedback,” Waller said.

The strategic plan process will last throughout the summer and fall, with the City Council and city departments looking at the feedback and its alignment with previous plans and budgets.

Mayor Nick AbouAssaly said the survey reinforces to the council that they are there to serve residents.

“This survey informs our work plans,” he said. “It’s very helpful and everything that will come from this because there’s a lot of good information there. It also reinforces the direction the city is on and also gives us things to work on.”

Waller said the governance category caught his eye as the survey showed gains in the city’s customer service, with 86 percent reporting good or excellent service. Waller also acknowledged some of the lower marks, like recycling with 67 percent of respondents reporting good or excellent quality.

“A number of these indicators were influenced by the pandemic, so we need to be mindful of that,” Waller said. “For some of the services that saw a decline like recycling and yard waste collection, the city has already started to explore changes to these programs and the possibility of automated collection.”

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