More Coquitlam homeowners are willing to pay extra property taxes than see city services cut, according to a poll released this week.
The Ipsos Reid telephone survey of 400 residents shows 48% of respondents approved of having higher municipal taxes for enhanced or expanded city services. That compares with 41% who want to cut city programs to maintain or reduce the taxation level.
The gap is significant as last year's poll indicated Coquitlam residents were split on the issue, at 43% each.
The annual study, which was commissioned by the city conducted in September and unveiled at Monday's council meeting, is typically used as a resource as council heads into budget talks. Deliberations for the 2014 financial plan are due to start next week.
Meanwhile, the survey also revealed 98% of respondents have a high satisfaction level with their quality of life in Coquitlam - one point higher than in other Lower Mainland municipalities that undertake the Ipsos Reid poll, and two points higher than the B.C. norm.
Asked why their quality of life has improved over the past five years, residents reported: improved transportation and roads (21%); improved/renovated recreation facilities (11%); and improved/expanded infrastructure (9%).
Still, respondents listed high housing density and traffic congestion as being the top reasons their quality of life has gone downhill.
Among the biggest crime and personal safety issues were: robbery/theft (29%), drugs (12%) and gang violence (8%).
The Ipsos Reid poll also offered the following nuggets:
on satisfaction with city services, respondents listed: fire services (98%); public works (98%); parks (97%); policing (95%); and sports fields (94%). Neighbourhood planning was at the bottom (80%).
and on communication methods, respondents said the newspaper was their best source for city information (32%), followed by email (31%), the city website (23%) and mail (18%).
Coun. Brent Asmundson said the $25,000 study gives the city "a true indication of what the people of Coquitlam are feeling... and we are moving in the right direction. We set a standard and we need to keep going."
