Birmingham approves $21,435 contract with Cobalt Community Research for resident survey

The City Commission on Sept. 15 approved a $21,435, six‑month agreement with Michigan‑based Cobalt Community Research to conduct a statistically valid community survey of Birmingham residents.

Staff said the survey will blend standard, benchmarkable questions (for cross‑community comparison) with custom questions the commission requested to test priorities such as infrastructure funding versus investments in community services including senior facilities. The contract approved by roll call includes explicit direction that draft questionnaire language return to the commission for review before finalization.

During debate commissioners and members of the public emphasized two points: 1) the need for statistically valid sampling that reaches less‑engaged residents as well as frequent participants, and 2) commission review of custom survey questions before public release. Commissioner Long asked that at least one commissioner sit on the project team to review draft questions; staff agreed to return the questionnaire for commission input during vendor development.

Several speakers with professional experience in survey design urged the commission to require a clear scope of work and sampling plan from the vendor, to confirm who owns the underlying response data and to ask for protocols addressing low‑response or under‑represented demographic groups. Staff said all three firms that provided quotes offer randomized sampling options that combine mailed invitations and an online response mechanism; respondents outside the random sample will be able to take the questionnaire online but will be analyzed separately.

Vote: motion to approve the six‑month agreement with Cobalt Community Research for community survey in an amount not to exceed $21,435, with the requirement that draft questions return to the commission for input — passed on roll call.