Cityscape

A random survey of 400 Huntington Beach residents has determined one

thing -- they don’t want to pay more taxes.

The study, conducted at the end of July, focused on residents’

understanding of the city’s infrastructure needs and their willingness to

pay for any needed repairs.

“We knew that it would probably be a negative survey because no one

wants to increase what they are paying in taxes or fees,” Councilwoman

Shirley Dettloff said. “But we also knew what we needed to find was how

much education we need to do with the community.”

The council’s expectations were correct.

When asked if they would support a tax increase of $136 to $289 a year

for infrastructure repairs 82% of those surveyed answered no.

When the question was asked again to include citizen oversight of the

the spending, 78% still answered no.

When residents were asked if they would approve a tax increase of

two-and-a half times that amount in a time of dire emergency when public

health and safety were at risk, 73% still answered no.

These overwhelming numbers did not change the council’s determination

to address these problems, Dettloff said. It just means that people need

to be educated about the problems that face the city.

“Infrastructure means a great deal to the lifestyle here,” Dettloff

said. “Why people like it here, part of that is lifestyle and that is

infrastructure -- well-repaired streets, well-maintained parks, good

libraries.”

Last week the City Council pulled the sewer system off the list of

needed repairs and made the decision to charge residents a fee and get

the problem fixed.

Out of 20 possible problem areas listed in the survey, conducted by

Lawrence Research, the highest percentage of residents -- 28% listed the

sewer systems and dirty water as their greatest concern.

Infrastructure came next with 19% of those surveyed listing it as a

problem.

“I think its going to take an enormous effort, but I think the

[citizen committee studying the infrastructure] knew that its always been

a part of their program to educate public to the work they’ve done --

that there is a problem,” Dettloff said. “And we’ll have to prove that

financially with the revenues the city generates that it can not all be

done.”

BOX

Most Important Problems

A sampling of 400 residents were asked what they felt where they most

important problems facing Huntington Beach.

Sewer System / Dirty Water 28%

Infrastructure 19%

Overdevelopment 16%

Traffic 13%

City Government 10%

Schools / Education 9%

Taxes 9%

Growth / Overcrowding 9%

Crime / Safety 8%

Government Spending 7%

Bolsa Chica / Wetlands 6%

Economy 6%

City Appearance 5%

Parking 4%

The Mall 3%

Lack of Recreation 3%

Electricity / Power Plant 2%

Too Many Businesses 2%

Street Lights 1%

Elderly / Senior Citizens 1%

Miscellaneous 2%

No Problems / No Concerns 7%

Don’t Know / No Opinion 2%