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County staff calls comp-plan survey ‘abysmal’; committee plans new outreach push
Summary
Staff reported low participation in the comprehensive-plan survey and presented a range of additional outreach tactics — paper surveys, library and church drop-offs, a youth photo challenge, newspapers and a letter-to-the-editor — to improve representation before the public hearing.
Lisa, the staff member coordinating outreach, told the committee the survey launched in mid-December and closed Jan. 31 but produced a very low response.
"I thought the response rate was really abysmal to tell you the truth," Lisa said, describing distribution efforts that included libraries, churches, chambers of commerce, Meals on Wheels envelopes and local newspapers.
Members raised concerns that holiday timing and a limited promotional budget likely suppressed responses and suggested the results may be skewed toward county employees who had easier access to the survey invitation. Several members urged more non-digital outreach to reach older residents and people who do not use social media.
The committee supported several low-cost and targetted steps: placing short paper surveys in grocery stores and senior mailings; asking the Ashland-area school and 4‑H networks to involve students via a photo challenge; coordinating with the newly active local chapter of the Wisconsin Towns Association; and drafting a letter-to-the-editor and a quarterly newsletter to summarize vision/goals and participation options. The Glidden Enterprise printed a front-page item with a QR code, and members encouraged other local papers to carry the notice.
Despite concerns about representativeness, the committee agreed to use the survey results with caution and to pursue the proposed additional outreach ahead of the fall public hearing so the county can incorporate broader public input into the draft plan.
The committee asked staff to develop outreach materials (notice language, a short paper survey and a proposed letter to the editor) for review before the next meeting.
