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%
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