Iredell County survey finds high satisfaction with public safety, flags transit and social services as priorities

The Iredell County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation Sept. 16 on the results of a community survey that was administered by mail and online between May and July and produced 630 completed responses with a reported margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percent. Darcy Heath introduced the presentation and Robert, a representative of PTC Institute who presented the findings, summarized demographics, satisfaction scores and priority areas identified by respondents.

The survey found that 78 percent of respondents rated Iredell County as an excellent or good place to live, and respondents gave particularly high marks to emergency medical services, 911 services and the sheriff’s office. Areas that scored lower in satisfaction included public transit, parks and recreation and the county Department of Social Services; PTC noted those items did not always rank as the highest overall priorities when residents were asked both how important a service is and how satisfied they are with it.

Why it matters: County Manager staff told commissioners the survey results will be incorporated into the county’s strategic plan and used to guide budget requests and priorities in coming years. "The survey is bearing out that you have invested in that and the citizens appreciate that," the county manager said, pointing to the county’s recent investments in public safety and school facilities.

Methodology and sample: PTC said the survey was designed to reflect the county’s census distribution and to be geographically representative. The firm reported that respondents spanned age groups (including 21 percent age 65 and older and 18 percent aged 18–34) and that all responses are confidential. PTC recommended follow‑up surveys in subsequent years to track changes and to refine questions about which jurisdiction (county, town, state) provides particular services, if the county wants that clarity.

Priorities and comparisons: Commissioners were shown comparisons to regional and national benchmarks assembled by PTC. The firm reported that Iredell County scored above the Atlantic-region and national averages on several items, notably place-to-live ratings and sheriff’s protection. When asked which issues will most affect residents’ decisions to stay over the next five years, safety/low crime, access to health care and public education ranked near the top. In a separate long-range question, about 52 percent of respondents included safety/low crime among their top three choices.

Communication gaps and outreach: The presentation highlighted that only about 25 percent of respondents had contacted the county with a question, problem or complaint in the prior year; among those who did, about 72 percent reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the county’s response. The survey also showed that residents rate county communication and transparency as high priorities; preferred channels listed included local TV news, the county Facebook page, county text alerts, phone calls and email, while board/commission livestreams and in-person events were lower on the list.

Commissioner comments and next steps: Commissioners used the presentation to underscore two recurring points: first, that some service areas residents mention (for example, K–12 schools or certain roads) may be managed by other jurisdictions; and second, that the county should use the survey to open dialogue with partners, including the school district. Commissioner Hout asked whether the survey clarified which jurisdiction was responsible for services; PTC responded that the instrument did not, and recommended that follow-up surveys can add jurisdictional clarifications where needed. The county manager said the results would be folded into forthcoming budget discussions and the county’s strategic plan, and noted that staff would publicize the findings. Darcy Heath has drafted a press release and staff said they plan a follow-up survey in a few years.

The board’s pre-agenda meeting packet also notes a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on transportation grants related to the county’s ICATS transit service, which commissioners said dovetails with the survey’s identification of transit as an area for attention.

Ending: Commissioners did not take a formal policy vote on the survey itself during the 4:00 p.m. pre‑agenda session; staff said the results will be used administratively to inform planning and budgeting and that any follow-up actions would be brought forward at subsequent meetings.