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Council authorizes updated citywide resident survey after debate over timing and filtering
Summary
Council approved conducting an updated resident survey based on the 2022 Plan Oskaloosa instrument. Members debated a short December window versus starting in January and whether to publish raw comments; the council authorized the survey to run immediately and close on Dec. 31 for use in budget conversations.
The Oskaloosa City Council voted Dec. 10 to run an updated citywide resident survey adapted from the 2022 Plan Oskaloosa questionnaire to gather priorities for budgeting and strategic planning.
Staff explained the survey would be distributed through utility billing, social media, newspapers and physical forms upon request, and responses would remain anonymous unless respondents chose to self-identify. The draft was designed to allow comparison to 2022 results; staff noted about 400 responses were collected in 2022 over several months. For the current survey staff recommended a shorter window so results could inform budget planning, proposing distribution immediately and closing Dec. 31.
Council members debated whether the December window would yield a sufficient sample, whether results and open comments should be published in raw form or filtered for inappropriate content and personally identifying information, and whether the survey should be run annually or biennially. Some members urged wider outreach and random sampling to avoid bias; others emphasized speed to get results for budget hearings.
After discussion councilors moved and seconded a motion to run the survey as proposed (start immediately and close Dec. 31) and to consider later how to publish responses (filtered vs unfiltered). The motion passed by roll call. Staff will compile results into a report for council consideration ahead of budget hearings and post results on the city website.
