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Copperas Cove survey: satisfaction edges up; parks, downtown and infrastructure top priorities
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Summary
Consultant Cobalt Community Research presented results of the 2025 citizen engagement and priority assessment, showing an ACSI score increase to 51 and highlighting parks and recreation, downtown improvements, and infrastructure as community priorities.
At a workshop on Oct. 21, 2025, Copperas Cove staff and Cobalt Community Research presented the results of the city’s 2025 citizen engagement and priority assessment to the mayor and council. Will Saint Amor, executive director of Cobalt Community Research, reported an American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) score increase for Copperas Cove to 51 in 2025 from 48 in 2021 and described key drivers of community satisfaction and areas for follow‑up.
Saint Amor said the survey drew a random sample of 2,000 registered voters with two mail waves and allowed a supplemental online response; the consultant reported 576 valid responses from the random sample, producing a margin of error of about ±5%. The survey used standard crosstabs to compare 2021 and 2025 results and to analyze demographic differences by geography and tenure in town.
Highlights presented included stronger scores for parks and recreation — which Saint Amor described as “a jewel in your community” — and gains in use of library and park facilities. Respondents identified police, fire, street maintenance and parks and recreation as top services. The economy was identified as a soft spot: indicators for quality and availability of jobs declined versus 2021, and the economy was cited as limiting the city’s overall satisfaction gains. Residents expressed interest in downtown improvements, more trails and sidewalks, and additional community events; a plurality of respondents prioritized Christmas decorations, sidewalk repairs and walking/biking trails.
On funding appetite, Saint Amor reported roughly 52% of respondents said they would be willing to pay $5, $10 or $15 per month for city improvements, while about 39% said no. He cautioned that open‑ended comments and subgroup crosstabs should guide targeted follow‑up and recommended council identify a small number of priorities to move the needle, broaden conversations with staff and the public, and set measurable deliverables.
Kevin (city staff) and Ryan Haverlaw thanked Saint Amor and noted staff will post the full presentation and crosstab data online for council and public review. The city manager invited council members to study the full data ahead of the Nov. 14 strategic planning retreat, when the council will refine priorities and assign implementation responsibilities.
Methodology details presented by Cobalt: random sample of 2,000 mailed invitations with prepaid return envelopes; two waves of mailings; a small proportion of self‑selected online responses retained separately from the random‑sample results; 576 valid random‑sample responses. The consultant noted that some subgroup cells have fewer than 30 responses and are flagged in the crosstabs as less reliable.
Will Saint Amor (Cobalt) summarized why survey research matters: “it is something that builds trust,” he said, and it provides a data point that helps elected officials understand citywide priorities beyond especially vocal constituencies. Staff said the survey results will inform council’s upcoming strategic planning retreat.
