2026 Citizen Survey

History

The City of Dunedin launched its first Citizen Survey in 2019 and committed to conducting the survey every other year. Due to the pandemic, the second survey was delayed and administered in 2022. The City returned to a biennial schedule with the 2024 survey and will continue that schedule with the 2026 Citizen Survey. The purpose of the survey is to engage residents and gather feedback on the issues that matter most to the community.

Citizen surveys offer a direct line of communication between elected officials, City administration and residents to gauge community strengths and areas in need of improvement. The City of Dunedin's utilization of prior surveys have provided crucial insights into resident perspectives and have showcased high satisfaction rates in areas such as the library, parks, and emergency services. The survey also pinpointed concerns such as traffic, parking, and growth, prompting the city to take proactive measures in addressing these issues.

Cumulatively, the citizen surveys are designed to maintain continuity and track progress over time. By closely aligning questions with previous surveys, the City ensures data consistency and allows for direct comparisons to measure the impact of past initiatives and improvements. Understanding resident feedback and areas of concern helps City leadership make informed decisions about future policy direction and resource allocation.

The City of Dunedin is launching its 2026 Citizen Survey, reaffirming its dedication to hearing from its residents and addressing their priorities. The survey will provide another opportunity for residents to voice their opinions, provide insights, and shape the future of their community. The City looks forward to building upon past successes and fostering continued collaboration between residents and local government.

Importance

Citizen surveys are a valuable research tool for elected officials and City administration to identify areas our community excels in and areas that need work. The purpose of the survey is to gauge resident perspectives, provide insights, and capture valuable feedback.

Comparing results year over year allows City staff to identify areas that have improved and areas that require attention. It is also a tool used by City staff to align projects, initiatives and budget dollars to those areas of most concern to our residents.

Forward Analytics

Dr. Stephen Neely of Forward Analytics will be administering the survey and providing the survey assessment, report and presentation to the Commission in late spring/early summer. Dr. Neely holds a MBA and Ph.D. in Public Administration from North Carolina State University. He serves as a Professor of Public Administration teaching undergraduate and graduate level classes in in the areas of public policy, quantitative analysis, and survey research. As a research consultant, Dr. Neely conducts research in the areas of public affairs, public policy, social media, education and K-12 education policy. He has written numerous peer-reviewed public administration publications, opinion papers, lectured at national and local conferences, and has conducted national, state and municipal level survey research.

Citizen Survey

Take the survey here!