Use the ICMA format even if you run it yourself. Being able to compare to other jurisdictions will uncover issues you probably didn't even know.

Keeping a survey consistent over time allows you to see changes in service areas. Having surveys that change what they measure does not allow you to appropriately measure public satisfaction changes over time.

The AFI strategic partner -- Peak Democracy Inc, provides online public comment forums that many communities have used as a platform for online (and mobile phone) citizen satisfaction surveys. To learn more, go to http://www.OpenTownHall.com or call 866-535-8894 x701

The City of Oklahoma City conducts annual citizen surveys and has found it very beneficial to contract with a professional firm that specializes in these types of surveys. They provide expertise and guidance on the types of questions and how to ask them. Consistency is a very important aspect of the survey so you can track changes over time and provide an apples to apples comparison of the results. Here is a link to our most recent survey: http://www.okc.gov/2011citizensurvey.pdf

If you would like additional information on our citizen survey, please contact:

Doug Dowler, Budget Director
Doug.dowler@okc.gov
405.297.2814