The citizen survey is one of the ways Ottawa County has measured resident sentiment over time. This survey began in 2006 and has given the County trend data on several important topics, including whether residents feel the County is headed in the right direction, how they view financial management, whether they believe taxes and fees are about right, and how satisfied they are with County services.
When is the next survey?
Ottawa County is conducting a citizen survey this summer to gather feedback on public services, resident priorities, communication needs, and the County Strategic Plan. The survey will help the County understand what matters most to residents, identify service gaps, and measure progress toward community goals. During July and August, residents may receive a phone call from a professional polling firm working on behalf of Ottawa County. The call is legitimate, and participation is voluntary.
Who will be calling and what will they ask?
A professional polling firm working on behalf of Ottawa County is conducting the calls. The survey will ask for opinions about County services, resident priorities, communication preferences, community needs, and the County Strategic Plan. Some questions will focus on topics such as growth, groundwater, public trust, service levels, and future priorities. The questionnaire will not ask for sensitive details such as Social Security numbers, bank account information, passwords, or payment data. Some general demographic questions will be asked, including age, gender, race, home ownership, length of residency, and income range, which help ensure responses reflect a broad cross-section of Ottawa County residents. For more information, email the Communications Director.
Can I sign up to take the survey?
No. The citizen survey is conducted by random sample, which means participants are selected through the polling process rather than by request. This approach helps ensure the results are statistically valid and representative of Ottawa County residents. Allowing people to opt in would change the sample and could affect the reliability of the findings.
