Project Objectives
Conduct Hercules Community Survey to assist with City Council goal-setting and long-term budget and service delivery planning Gather statistically reliable information on community priorities and views Report back on results
Utilize results for additional community engagement and project planning
Key Survey Highlights
Congratulations! The Hercules community continues to feel the City is doing an “excellent/good” job providing services A plurality feel the City is doing a good job managing its budget/finances, with past concerns dropping significantly Ballot Measure viability:
A No-Tax Increase Renewal of the existing, voter-approved UUT is viable in 2022 A City Charter Measure will need a longer runway beyond 2022 to fully inform the community of its specifics At the time the City is ready to proceed with a City Charter Measure, a Real Property Transfer Measure is likely to be viable
Dates
January 3-17, 2022
Survey Type
Dual-mode Voter Survey
Research Population
Likely November 2022 Voters in the City of Hercules
Total Interviews
324
Margin of Sampling Error
(Full Sample) ±5.4% at the 95% Confidence Level
(Half Sample) ±7.7% at the 95% Confidence Level
Contact Methods
Data Collection Modes
Languages
Telephone interviews were offered in English and Spanish (Note: Not All Results Will Sum to 100% Due to Rounding) Survey Specifics and Methodology
Telephone
Calls
Email
Invitations
Telephone
Interviews
Online
Interviews
Impressions of Life in Hercules and of City Government
Today, those who say things are off on the wrong track are at a record low.
Would you say that things in the City of Hercules are generally headed in the right direction or do you feel that things are off on the wrong track?
Crime and traffic are among the most serious issues perceived to be impacting the City today.
I'd like to read you a list of issues that some people say may be local problems. Please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, somewhat serious problem, or not too serious a problem in the City of Hercules.
Ext./Very Ser. Prob.
61%
59%
52%
49%
46%
43%
43%
34%
33%
27%
Most issues about corruption or mismanagement in City government are not perceived to be serious issues today.
I'd like to read you a list of issues that some people say may be local problems. Please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, somewhat serious problem, or not too serious a problem in the City of Hercules. Split Sample Ext./Very Ser. Prob.
39%
29%
29%
28%
27%
24%
Q6b, e-g, i-n. I'd like to read you a list of issues that some people say may be local problems. Please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, somewhat serious problem, or not too serious a problem in the City of Hercules. ^Not Part of Split Sample Perceptions of city inefficiency and corruption have continued a steady decline since 2012. (Extremely/Very Serious Problem)
Issue
February/March 2012
February 2013
March/April 2015
January 2022
Difference
(2022-2015)
Potholes and deteriorating streets
16%
25%
28%
43%
+15%
^The amount people pay in local taxes
36%
41%
30%
43%
+13%
Crime in general
19%
38%
27%
34%
+7%
Insufficient city services to maintain a good quality of life --
--
24%
29%
+5%
Corruption in City government
63%
59%
32%
27%
-5%
The condition of the local economy
50%
53%
44%
33%
-11%
Too much cronyism and nepotism in City government
--
49%
36%
24%
-12%
A lack of transparencyin city government
57%
--
42%
29%
-13%
Budget shortfalls in Hercules city government
58%
63%
53%
39%
-14%
Waste and inefficiencyin city government
63%
57%
43%
28%
-15%
A majority rate the City’s job at providing services highly, and a plurality believe the City is doing a good job at managing its budget and finances.
How would you rate the overall job being done by the current Hercules city government in providing services to the City’s residents? Would you say the City is doing an excellent job, a good job, an only fair job, or a poor job at providing services to City residents? Split SampleHow would you rate the job being done by the current Hercules city government in managing the City’s budget and finances? Would you say the City is doing an excellent job, a good job, an only fair job, or a poor job in managing the City’s budget and finances? Split Sample Excellent/Good52%
Ratings for City Services
Ratings for Budget & Finances
(Split Sampled: n=162)
Excellent
Good
Just fair
Poor
Don’t know
Excellent/Good40%
Today’s ratings for City services are the highest over the past decade.
How would you rate the overall job being done by the current Hercules city government in providing services to the City’s residents? Would you say the City is doing an excellent job, a good job, an only fair job, or a poor job at providing services to City residents? Ratings for City Services, n=162
Year
February/March 2012
February2013
March/April 2015
January2022
Excellent
8%
4%
1%
7%
Good
24%
27%
40%
45%
*Just fair
37%
50%
43%
33%
Poor
26%
13%
10%
8%
32%
31%
41%
52%
Similarly, ratings for financial management are overall more positive than in previous years How would you rate the job being done by the current Hercules city government in managing the City’s budget and finances? Would you say the City is doing an excellent job, a good job, an only fair job, or a poor job in managing the City’s budget and finances? Ratings for Budget & Finances, n=162
Year
February/March 2012
February2013
March/April 2015
January2022
Excellent
6%
3%
4%
2%
Good
12%
25%
33%
39%
*Just fair
35%
45%
38%
22%
Poor
36%
24%
17%
16%
18%
28%
37%
41%
Over six in ten also continue to believe theCity has a need for additional funding.
Great/Some Need
62%
65%
71%
Do you think there is a great need, some need, a little need, or no real need for additional funds to provide the level of city services that residents of the City of Hercules need and want?
Reactions to a Potential Ballot Measure Continuing Hercules’s Existing, Voter-Approved Utility Users’ Tax (Measure C)
Potential Ballot Measure to Continue 8% UUT
(As Approved by City Attorney; 50% +1 vote threshold)
CITY OF HERCULES NO TAX INCREASE/FINANCIAL STABILITY MEASURE:
Shall an ordinance to maintain Hercules’ long-term financial stability and essential city services, such as neighborhood police patrols; crime prevention; street and pothole repair; and youth and senior programs, by renewing an existing, voter-approved 8% utility users’ tax, generating approximately $3,600,000 annually until ended by voters, with no tax increase, low-income exemptions, independent citizens’ oversight, annual audits, and funding that cannot be taken by Sacramento, be adopted? Please note viability is contingent on ballot language tested.
Two-thirds expressed support for the potential simple majority requirement, No Tax Increase UUT Renewal.
Do you think you would vote “yes” or “no” on this measure? Total Yes67%
Total No27%
63% without those “leaning yes”
Note: Majority support was consistent across all demographic groups.
These is a connection between the perception of need for additional funding and support for the measure.
Do you think you would vote “yes” or “no” on this measure? Initial Vote by Need for Funding
There is not a significant difference in support between a June and November electorate.
Do you think you would vote “yes” or “no” on this measure? Total Yes64%
Total No29%
Total Yes67%
Total No27%
Likely June 2022(MOE +/-7.3%)
Likely November 2022 (MOE +/-5.4%)
Definitely yes
Probably yes
Undecided, lean yes
Undecided, lean no
Probably no
Definitely no
Undecided
Support remained consistently strong over the course of the survey.
Do you think you would vote “yes” or “no” on this measure? Total Yes67%
Total No27%
Initial Vote
Third Ballot Test
Second Ballot Test
Total Yes69%
Total No23%
Total Yes66%
Total No26%
Definitely yes
Probably yes
Undecided, lean yes
Undecided, lean no
Probably no
Definitely no
Undecided
The Community’s Budget Priorities
Respondents highly prioritized maintaining theCity’s long-term financial stability and preventing funds from being taken by Sacramento.
I am going to read you a list of ways in which funds generated by a ballot measure could be spent. Please tell me how important that item is to you personally: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. ^Part of Split Sample Ext./Very Impt.
88%
87%
86%
86%
85%
84%
81%
79%
79%
79%
78%
Ext./Very Impt.
75%
71%
71%
71%
71%
70%
68%
68%
67%
Respondents also prioritized maintaining safe places for children to play & reducing traffic.
I am going to read you a list of ways in which funds generated by a ballot measure could be spent. Please tell me how important that item is to you personally: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. ^Part of Split Sample
Ext./Very Impt.
65%
65%
64%
64%
60%
58%
54%
38%
Recreation projects and programs are also extremely or very important by over six-in-ten.
I am going to read you a list of ways in which funds generated by a ballot measure could be spent. Please tell me how important that item is to you personally: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. Split Sample
Potential Measures Adopting a City Charter and Establishing a City Property Transfer Tax
Potential Charter City Establishment Measure
Do you think you would vote “yes” or “no” on this measure? CITY OF HERCULES CITY CHARTER/LOCAL CONTROL MEASURE.
To enhance local control over funding essential city services, shall the City of Hercules Charter be adopted to establish Hercules as a Charter City with the ability to adopt a local real property transfer tax, subject to voter approval? The City Council’s powers otherwise remain unchanged and are limited by State general law, and any other powers as a charter city would have to be approved by voters. (As Approved by City Attorney; 50% +1 vote threshold)
Respondents were evenly divided on establishing a city charter in order to establish a local property transfer tax, with one-in-five being unsure how to vote on it.
Do you think you would vote “yes” or “no” on this measure? Total Yes39%
Total No39%
Potential Property Transfer Tax
Do you think you would vote “yes” or “no” on this measure? CITY OF HERCULES ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROTECTION MEASURE.
Shall an ordinance to expand locally controlled funding for essential city services such as improving 911 response times, disaster preparedness/ safe routes to school; retaining/ attracting businesses; keeping public areas/ parks safe/ clean; by enacting a real property transfer tax (paid only by buyers and sellers of property at the time of sale), until ended by voters and requiring annual audits, no funds for Sacramento, be adopted? (As Approved by City Attorney; 50% +1 vote threshold)
Note: This version did not include a tax rate and was designed to assess reactions to the general concept. Additional testing in the future will be necessary.
Support was higher for establishing the property transfer tax (which is contingent upon enactment of the companion Charter Measure).
Do you think you would vote “yes” or “no” on this measure? Total Yes53%
Total No34%
Key Takeaways & Conclusions
Key Numbers & Conclusions – Life in Hercules
Feel the City of Hercules is headed in the “right direction.” View local economic conditions as an “extremely” or “very serious” problem, notably lower than at any point in the past decade.
Feel that the increase in property crimes like burglaries and car thefts is an “extremely” or “very serious” problem in Hercules, followed closely by freeway/highway traffic congestion. 56%
61%
33%
Summary:
Survey respondents clearly view life in Hercules through a positive lens and are notably less concerned about macro issues like the local economy. However, concerns of freeway/highway traffic persist and many view increasing property crime rates as the most pressing local issue.
Key Numbers & Conclusions – City Impressions
Feel the City of Hercules is doing an “excellent” or “good” job providing services, by far the highest proportion in the past decade.
Feel the City has “a great” or “some” need for additional funding to provide services.
Feel that waste and inefficiency in Hercules City government is an “extremely” or “very serious” problem, but far the lowest proportion in the past decade. 52%
28%
62%
Summary:
Impressions of city government have continued to improve in recent years, with now a majority feeling positive about city services and only minorities concerned about government waste, corruption, and budget shortfalls. At the same time, a majority still feels the City could use additional funding.
Key Numbers & Conclusions – Budget Priorities
Feel that the big-picture goal of maintaining the City's long-term financial stability is an “extremely” or “very important” priority.
Believe maintaining 911 police response times is an “extremely” or “very important” budget priority.
Also believe it is “extremely” or “very important” to prevent funds generated from a ballot measure from being taken by Sacramento. 88%
87%
85%
Summary:
Top budget priorities include maintaining financial stability and accountability; keep funds away from Sacramento; maintaining police services, drinking water quality, and parks; supporting local businesses; and reducing traffic congestion.
Measure Viability – Measure C Renewal
Expressed initial support for a potential ballot measure renewing Measure C and continuing the City’s existing UUT at current rates.
Of likely June 2022 voters also expressed initial support for a Measure C renewal measure.
Consistently said they would vote “yes” on such a measure even after being presented with supportive and critical statements. 67%
56%
64%
Summary:
Support for a ballot measure continuing Hercules’s existing UUT and renewing Measure C appears robust for a November 2022 election. Assuming the necessary steps are taken to allow for a majority vote threshold, a June 2022 election also appear viable. Given current electoral circumstances, this support appears durable.
Measure Viability – Charter/RPTT Measures
Expressed support for a potential ballot measure adopting a city charter in order to establish a local, real property transfer tax.
Expressed support for establishing a real property transfer tax.
Were “undecided” as to how they would vote on such a measure. 39%
21%
53%
Summary:
Voters are unsure as to whether Hercules should adopt a city charter with the limited capability of establishing a real property transfer tax. However, opposition was not so strong as to rule out the possibility. While such a combination of measures does not appear viable in 2022, future communications, education and engagement may help clarify positions.
Next Steps
Decide on Election Timing for viable measures
If planning for a November 2022 Measure C Renewal:
Feb – May: Authorize continued project planning
Engage Community, solicit more input
Maximize messaging during budget
June –July: Prepare Measure C Renewal documents
City Council action to place measure
Aug-Nov: Submit documents to CoCo ROV
Develop Municipal Election Communications Toolkit Provide information to the community
Nov-Dec: Assess 2022 program
If desired, commence planning for future
measures