City of Grover Beach
Community Survey
Results Presentation
October 2023
Opinion Research on
Elections and Public Policy
PROBOLSKY RESEARCH
23 Corporate Plaza Suite 150 Newport Beach CA 92660
Newport Beach
(949) 855-6400
Washington DC
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City of Grover Beach – Community Survey
Survey Methodology*
*Due to rounding, totals shown on charts may not add up to 100% 1 Survey Details
Mode Phone (landline and mobile)
Online (email and text-to-web)
Language English and Spanish
Length 25 minutes
Target
Respondents
City of Grover Beach voters
Survey Fielding October 11 – 25, 2023
Survey Participants 400
Margin of Error +/-5%
Our sample was developed from the voter files originally compiled by the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder and consumer data. We matched the demographics of City of Grover Beach voters.
Sample
Interviews were conducted by phone (33%) and online (67%) modes. Phone interviews were conducted via landline (39%) or mobile (61%). Online participants were invited by email (50%) and text message (50%).
Respondents in all modes chose their preferred language, English (92%) and Spanish (8%).
The online survey was accessible by computer, tablet, and smart phone.
Security measures precluded individuals from completing the survey more than once.
Data Collection Explained
Probolsky Research is a Latina- and woman-owned market and opinion research firm with corporate, election, government, and non-profit clients.
2 Homelessness is the most important issue facing
Grover Beach today
Question 1: In your own words, what do you feel is the most important issue facing Grover Beach today? [OPEN-ENDED RESPONSE]
21.3%
17.5%
9.3%
7.8%
6.8%
6.0%
3.5%
3.3%
3.0%
2.0%
1.5%
1.0%
1.0%
0.5%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
8.0%
1.0%
6.0%
Homelessness
Transportation/Traffic/Roads
Public safety/Drugs/Crime
Housing affordability
Inflation/Cost of living
Taxes
Environmental issues
Government
Water/Drought
Over population/Controlling growth/Development
Jobs/Economy
Moral issues
Immigration/Illegal immigration
Healthcare
Education/Schools/Higher education
Security/Terrorism
Police brutality/Racial injustice
Other
Nothing/No issues
Unsure
3 79% say the overall quality of life in Grover Beach
has g0tten better or stayed the same
Question 2: How would you rate the overall quality of life in Grover Beach within the past 5 years?
34.8%
44.5%
18.0%
2.8%
Better Staying about the same Worse Unsure
34.3%
40.8%
34.8%
35.6%
22.2%
44.5%
18.3%
25.0%
18.0%
11.8% 12.0%
2.8%
2019 2021 2023
Better
Staying about the same
Worse
Unsure
4 75% are satisfied with the services provided by the
City of Grover Beach
Question 3: In general, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the services provided by the City of Grover Beach?
75.0%
21.8%
3.3%
Satistified Unsatistified Unsure
60.7%
64.5%
72.0%
75.0%
32.5%
26.8% 23.0%
21.8% 6.7% 8.7% 5.0%
3.3%
2017 2019 2021 2023
Satisfied
Unsatisfied
Unsure
5 Among those dissatisfied with the services provided by the City of Grover Beach, many cited infrastructure/roads Question 4: Why are you dissatisfied with the services provided by the City of Grover Beach? [IF ANSWERED ‘DISSATISFIED’ TO Q3]
OPEN-ENDED RESPONSE
25.3%
12.6%
11.5%
10.3%
9.2%
8.0%
4.6%
4.6%
3.4%
8.0%
2.3%
Infrastructure/Roads
General negative/Ineffective
Homelessness
Cleanliness/Maintenance
Inflation/Cost of living
Government
Service issues
Crime/Safety
Spending/Funding
Other
Unsure
75.0%
21.8% 3.3%
Total
6 54% have a favorable opinion of the job the City of Grover Beach is doing to effectively manage and spend taxpayer dollars and public funds Question 5: Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the job the City of Grover Beach is doing to effectively manage and spend taxpayer dollars and public funds?
54.3%
32.5%
13.3%
Favorable Unfavorable Unsure
53.6%
54.3%
25.2% 32.5%
21.1% 13.3%
2021 2023
Favorable
Unfavorable
Unsure
7 24% have been in contact with a City of Grover
Beach employees in the past 12 months
Question 6: In the past 12 months, have you been in contact with any City of Grover Beach employees for reasons other than an emergency?
23.8%
75.0%
1.3%
Yes No Unsure
33.4% 33.9% 37.0%
23.8%
62.3%
63.1% 61.1%
75.0%
4.3% 3.0% 1.9% 1.3%
2017 2019 2021 2023
Yes
No
Unsure
8 Among those who have been in contact with City of Grover Beach employees in the past 12 months, 68% are satisfied with how the City resolved their problem or answered their question
Question 8A: Overall, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your contact with the City of Grover Beach when thinking about getting your problem resolved or question answered? [IF ANSWERED ‘YES’ TO Q6]
68.4%
31.6%
Satisfied Dissatisfied
23.8%
75.0%
1.3%
Total
9 Among those who have been in contact with City of Grover Beach employees in the past 12 months, 70% are satisfied with the customer service they received from the City
Question 8B: Overall, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your contact with the City of Grover Beach on the customer service you received? [IF ANSWERED ‘YES’ TO Q6]
69.5%
30.5%
Satisfied Dissatisfied
23.8%
75.0%
1.3%
Total
10 Among those who have been in contact with City of Grover Beach employees in the past 12 months, 85% are satisfied with the courtesy of the City staff Question 8C: Overall, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your contact with the City of Grover Beach on the courtesy of the City staff? [IF ANSWERED ‘YES’ TO Q6]
85.3%
13.7%
1.1%
Satisfied Dissatisfied Don’t know
23.8%
75.0%
1.3%
Total
11 Among those who have been in contact with City of Grover Beach employees in the past 12 months, 78% are satisfied with the timeliness of the City’s response Question 8D: Overall, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your contact with the City of Grover Beach on the timeliness of the response? [IF ANSWERED ‘YES’ TO Q6]
77.9%
21.1%
1.1%
Satisfied Dissatisfied Don’t know
23.8%
75.0%
1.3%
Total
12 66% say repairing and maintaining City streets and
repairing potholes is personally important to them
Question 9: Now we have a list of services provided by the City of Grover Beach, please indicate which services you think are very important to you personally. Select all that apply.
65.8%
55.0%
53.5%
51.8%
50.3%
48.0%
45.5%
41.0%
38.0%
36.0%
35.0%
34.8%
34.5%
34.3%
32.5%
32.3%
27.5%
24.0%
23.0%
21.8%
4.8%
0.8%
Repairing and maintaining City streets and repairing potholes Repairing and maintaining sidewalks
Maintaining fire and emergency medical services
Maintaining economic development programs to encourage businesses to stay in Grover Beach Maintaining police patrols and crime prevention services Providing affordable and work force housing
Rapidly responding to 9-1-1 emergency calls
Maintaining City parks
Maintaining recreation programs and facilities for seniors, adults, teens, and youth Adding controlled intersections and crosswalks
Maintaining recreation programs and facilities for seniors Maintaining recreation programs and facilities for youth and teens Reducing traffic speed on City streets
Increased police presence
Enforcing City codes to ensure that private property is being properly used and maintained Maintaining trails and bike lanes
Provides festivals and community events
Creating new park and recreation facilities
Adding bike lanes
Building a multigenerational community center
Other
Unsure
13 45% say they are personally satisfied with the
maintenance of City parks
Question 10: Thinking of the same list of services provided by the City of Grover Beach, please indicate which services you are personally satisfied with.
44.8%
42.8%
39.8%
38.0%
36.3%
29.5%
28.0%
25.8%
25.3%
25.3%
24.3%
24.3%
24.0%
23.0%
22.5%
22.3%
21.0%
19.3%
18.5%
16.8%
3.8%
5.3%
3.3%
Maintaining City parks
Rapidly responding to 9-1-1 emergency calls
Maintaining fire and emergency medical services
Provides festivals and community events
Maintaining police patrols and crime prevention services Increased police presence
Repairing and maintaining City streets and repairing potholes Maintaining recreation programs and facilities for seniors, adults, teens, and youth Maintaining economic development programs to encourage businesses stay in Grover Beach Maintaining recreation programs and facilities for youth and teens Maintaining trails and bike lanes
Reducing traffic speed on City streets
Enforcing City codes to ensure that private property is being properly used and maintained Creating new park and recreation facilities
Repairing and maintaining sidewalks
Maintaining recreation programs and facilities for seniors Providing affordable and work force housing
Adding controlled intersections and crosswalks
Adding bike lanes
Building a multigenerational community center
Other
None of these
Unsure
14 Maintaining fire and emergency services aligns the most with importance of service provided and satisfaction level Repairing and maintaining City
streets and repairing potholes
Repairing and maintaining
sidewalks
Maintaining fire and emergency
medical services
Maintaining economic development
Maintaining police patrols and
crime prevention services
Providing affordable and work force
housing
Rapidly responding to 9-1-1
emergency calls
Maintaining City parks
Maintaining recreation
programs and facilities
Adding controlled intersections
and crosswalks
Maintaining recreation programs and
facilities for seniors
Maintaining recreation programs
and facilities for youth and teens
Reducing traffic speed
on City streets
Increased police presence
Enforcing City codes
Maintaining trails and bike lanes
Provides festivals and community
events
Creating new park and recreation
facilities
Adding bike lanes
Building a multigenerational
community center
15%
25%
35%
45%
55%
65%
10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Important to me personally
Satisfaction level
15 54% say the City should do more to address
homelessness, but that is down from 70% in 2021
Question 12: Thinking about homelessness issues in Grover Beach. The City of Grover Beach works with and provides funding to local nonprofits and other agencies to address homelessness in the community. Do you think the City of Grover Beach should do more to address homelessness, is doing about the right amount to address homelessness, or should do less to address homelessness?
53.5%
38.3%
5.8% 2.5%
Should do more to address
homelessness
Doing about the right amount to address
homelessness
Should do less to address
homelessness
Unsure
70.2%
53.5%
20.1%
38.3%
4.2%
5.5% 5.8%
2.5%
2021 2023
Should do more
Doing the right amount
Should do less
Unsure
16 Focus on economic development, housing and
homelessness, public safety, and streets
Questions 13-16: For the following questions, rate how well or how poorly the City of Grover Beach efforts at the following...
32.8% 40.3%
16.8% 10.3%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
Fostering Economic Development Housing and Homelessness
27.3%
38.8%
29.3%
4.8%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
Ensuring Public Safety Maintaining and Completing Streets
57.8%
29.0%
10.8% 2.5%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
40.0%
30.0% 29.3%
0.8%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
17 Focus on public facilities, engagement, water, and
communication
Questions 17-20: For the following questions, rate how well or how poorly the City of Grover Beach efforts at the following...
Building and Improving Public Facilities Commitment to Community Engagement Meeting Existing and Long-term Water Supply Communication Between City Officials and Local Partners
39.5% 36.8%
13.3% 10.5%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
49.0%
35.5%
9.0% 6.5%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
45.8%
29.5%
15.8% 9.0%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
27.5% 28.0%
13.3%
31.3%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
18 Focus on code compliance and carbon neutral solutions Questions 21-22: For the following questions, rate how well or how poorly the City of Grover Beach efforts at the following...
Prioritization and Enforcement of the City’s Code Compliance Program
35.0% 34.0%
13.3% 17.8%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
Pursuing Carbon Neutral Solutions
32.3% 27.3%
11.8%
28.8%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
19 71% agree that the taxes are already too high in
Grover Beach
Questions 31-34: Next are some statements about the City of Grover Beach tax proposal we have been discussing. For each, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement?
50.3% 38.0%
11.8%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
We need to enhance rapid response to 9-1-1 emergency calls
43.8% 33.5% 22.8%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
The City has been very fiscally responsible, balancing city budgets during the recession
71.3%
26.3%
2.5%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Taxes are already too high in Grover Beach, we can’t afford these new taxes too
56.5%
30.3%
13.3%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
We need to improve fire and emergency medical services
20 88% agree that maintaining fire and EMS is critical
to the health and safety of residents
Questions 35-38: Next are some statements about the City of Grover Beach tax proposal we have been discussing. For each, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement?
81.5%
15.8% 2.8%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Maintaining the current level of police service, including neighborhood police patrols, property crime and car theft prevention programs, is vital to protecting Grover Beach’s quality of life
65.8%
26.8%
7.5%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Visitors to Grover Beach will pay the tax too so homeowners will not shoulder the entire burden
73.0%
22.8%
4.3%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Instead of raising taxes, the City should learn to do
more with the taxpayer dollars they already have
87.8%
11.0% 1.3%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Maintaining fire and emergency medical services is critical to the health and safety of Grover Beach residents
21 70% agree with the need to enhance youth violence
prevention programs
Questions 39-42: Next are some statements about the City of Grover Beach tax proposal we have been discussing. For each, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement?
70.0%
24.3%
5.8%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
We need to enhance youth violence prevention and gang intervention programs including providing school resource officers and recreation programs to keep kids safe and off the streets
63.8%
26.8%
9.5%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
City administrators and bureaucrats have costly salary, benefit and pension plans, that money should be spent
on public safety programs instead
53.0%
40.8%
6.3%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
The City should improve traffic enforcement services
63.3%
27.5%
9.3%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
The City needs to improve lifesaving firefighting equipment and crime fighting technology that will help keep Grover Beach residents safe 22 79% agree that Grover Beach voters have already
passed enough tax measures
Questions 43-46: Next are some statements about the City of Grover Beach tax proposal we have been discussing. For each, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement?
78.5%
17.8% 3.8%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Grover Beach voters have already passed road, business, hotel and sales taxes, the City should make do with what they already get from taxpayers
71.5%
22.3%
6.3%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Delaying necessary infrastructure upgrades and repairs only increases their cost in the long-term, which is not a good way to manage taxpayer money
67.5%
24.0%
8.5%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Those in our community that are historically underserved are the most impacted by cuts to City services
52.3% 38.5%
9.3%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Without the revenue from the measure, the City will have to consider additional cuts to essential city services, such as responding to crime reports, fire special rescue teams emergency preparedness and homeless intervention
23 72% agree that sales taxes are regressive
Questions 47-50: Next are some statements about the City of Grover Beach tax proposal we have been discussing. For each, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement?
57.3%
30.0%
12.8%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
With Oceano divesting from the Five Cities Fire Authority, the City will need this revenue to maintain critical emergency response to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, or wildfires
40.3% 45.3%
14.5%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
As other cities open cannabis dispensaries, the cannabis tax is no longer a reliable source of revenue and this measure will help replace it
72.3%
23.8%
4.0%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Sales taxes are regressive because they hurt low-income families and seniors on fixed incomes the most
65.5%
29.0%
5.5%
Agree Disagree Don’t know
Raising sales taxes could drive businesses and jobs to other nearby communities with lower taxes which could hurt our local economy 24 Local TV news is the top sources for news and
information about Grover Beach
Question 56: What are your top sources for news and information about Grover Beach? Select all that apply.
52.3%
48.3%
43.5%
34.5%
22.3%
14.0%
13.3%
12.0%
4.8%
2.5%
1.8%
Local news channels (KEYT, KSBY, KKFX)
Friends/Family/Neighbors – word of mouth
City’s social media pages (for example, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube)
City’s website, Groverbeach.org
Local radio station
San Luis Obispo Tribune
New Times San Luis Obispo
Grover Gazette
Something else
None of these
Unsure
28 Support for new tax measures is mixed, general
sentiment that taxes in Grover Beach are already too high • When asked ‘Shall the City of Grover Beach measure to enhance essential public safety services including: rapid response to 9-1-1 emergency calls; fire and emergency medical services; neighborhood police patrols and crime prevention services; maintain and upgrade City facilities; youth violence prevention and gang intervention programs; by enacting a .25% sales tax increase, providing an estimated $700,000 annually, until repealed by voters, with independent citizens' oversight, regular audits, that cannot be taken by the State, and all funds spent locally, until ended by voters be adopted?’ – 45% would vote yes on the measure, 45% would vote no, and 10% are unsure.
• When asked ‘Shall the measure to enhance essential public services of the City of Grover beach including: repairing streets and potholes; maintaining neighborhood police patrols; maintaining fire and emergency medical services; maintain and upgrade City facilities; maintain parks, trails, and bike lanes and; other general city services; be levied annually until repealed at a rate of up to $193.54 per year for residential parcels, with annual inflation adjustments, senior exemptions, independent citizen oversight, and continuing $1,000,000 in annual funding that cannot be taken by the State, and all funds spent locally, until ended by voters be adopted?’ – 46% would vote yes no on the measure, 43% would vote no, and 11% are unsure. • When asked ‘To improve our region’s transportation system by: fixing potholes, repaving local streets, relieving traffic congestion; improving street, highway and bridge safety; making bike and transit improvements within and between communities; increasing senior, veterans, disabled and student transit; and providing safe routes to school. Shall San Luis Obispo County voters enact a 0.5% transportation sales tax, providing $35 million annually for 20 years, requiring independent citizens’ oversight, where all funds stay local and cannot be taken by the State?’ – 47% would vote yes no on the measure, 40% would vote no, and 13% are unsure. 26 Demographics
27 Gender Age Group Ethnicity Party Preference
Respondent demographics by gender, age group, ethnicity, party preference, education, household income, home type, and City Council district
46.0%
54.0%
Male
Female
11.5%
16.0%
15.3%
25.8%
31.5%
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-64
65+
26.5%
24.5%
22.3%
26.8%
City Council
District 1
City Council
District 2
City Council
District 3
City Council
District 4
40.0%
32.5%
27.6%
Democratic
Republican
No Party Preference
20.8%
66.0%
1.3%
3.0%
9.0%
Latino/Hispanic
White/Caucasian
Black/African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
Other
Education Household Income Home Type City Council District
0.8%
10.3%
25.5%
14.5%
30.0%
14.8%
4.0%
0.3%
Some high school
High school
Some college
Associate degree
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
Doctoral degree
Prefer not to answer
7.5%
29.5%
37.5%
18.0%
7.5%
Under $35,000
$35,000 - $79,999
$80,000 - $149,999
$150,000+
Prefer not to answer
72.0%
24.5%
3.0%
0.5%
Own home
Rent home
Other home
Prefer not to answer
PROBOLSKY RESEARCH
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Newport Beach
(949) 855-6400
Washington DC
(202) 559-0270
Opinion Research on
Elections and Public Policy
Questions?
Joshua Emeneger, Senior Research Analyst
O: 202-559-0270
Adam Probolsky, President
O: 949-855-6400 | M: 949-697-6726
E: [email protected]
San Francisco
(415) 870-8150