Citizen Survey

Previous Surveys

• 2019 Citizen Survey

  The majority of residents (68%) rate their quality of life in Penticton as good or excellent, according to the 2019 Citizen Survey results.

  Participants were asked to rate Penticton as a place to retire, holiday, raise a family, find a job, start a business and as a safe place to live. Results were compared with 2013 feedback when the survey was last completed.

  The ratings in these areas were fairly consistent with the 2013 results, with the exception of the perception of Penticton as a safe place to live, which declined from an average score of 4 out of 5 in 2013 to 2.9 in 2019. Thirty-six per cent of participants gave Penticton a good (4/5) or excellent (5/5) rating as a safe place to live.

  All-City services were rated in the top quartile, meaning that perceptions of importance and performance all scored an average rating above 3 out of 5 on a scale of 1 to 5. Services that saw the biggest increases in terms of the perception of importance and performance when compared to 2013 include Economic Development, Planning, Transit, Fire Department and Online Services. Perceptions of the performance of Police services declined over 2013.

  The City’s performance in other areas improved in 2019. The 2019 average ratings for the understanding of how the City spends tax dollars (3.1/5), listening to citizens (3.0/5), and belief that the City is doing a good job (3.2/5) increased over 2013. The average rating for receiving good value for taxes (3.1/5) remained the same as 2013.

  The top three priorities for the future that received the most interest from the list provided include improving safety and security (84 per cent), smart growth and development (75 per cent) and advancing environmental initiatives and practices (70 per cent).

  Download the final results

• 2013 Citizen Survey

  The majority of residents in 2013 rated the quality of life in the City of Penticton as excellent, according to 2013 Citizen Survey findings. Key highlights include the following.

  Most important issue facing Penticton – Lack of jobs, poor economy. In 2013, 47% of residents felt the single most important issue facing the City of Penticton was lack of jobs and poor economy compared to 41% in 2012. Another top issue also related to financial matters was budget, fiscal responsibility and debt at 10% in 2013 compared to 4% in 2012. The new Patient Care Tower at the Penticton Regional Hospital was given as the most important issue by 10% of respondents.

  Quality of life in Penticton given high ratings. The average rating given by Penticton residents for the overall quality of life in Penticton was 7.8 on a 10-point scale. The average rating was 8.6 for Penticton as a place to retire and 7.5 for Penticton as a place to raise children. In 2013, Penticton as a place to find work was given a rating of 4.2, down slightly from the 2012 rating of 4.5.

  Customer service provided by City employees – Excellent. The service provided by City staff received excellent satisfaction rating. The vast majority of residents feel that City staff are professional, friendly and knowledgeable.

  City services – Focus on economic development. The City is providing excellent service in the important areas of police services, fire services, water, sewer, parks and beaches and tourism. The City has room for improvement in the important areas of economic development, snow and ice removal, City planning and street maintenance.

  Penticton Regional Hospital Patient Care Tower – Important. Sixty-eight percent feel the new Patient Care Tower will strongly improve the health care available in Penticton. Fifty-nine percent feel the new Patient Care Tower should be built quickly, even if additional costs are incurred.

  Communications from City – Adequate. The majority (74%) of respondents feel the City provides an adequate amount of information to Citizens. Two-thirds of respondents learn about City issues from reading the newspaper.

  1-2% property tax increase acceptable. Sixty-five percent would consider a 1% property tax increase acceptable and 55% would consider a 2% tax increase acceptable.

• 2012 Citizen Survey

  Here are a few highlights of the 2012 results. Read the full report.

  Most important issue facing Penticton – Lack of jobs, poor economy. Forty-one percent of residents felt the single most important issue facing the City of Penticton was lack of jobs, poor economy. Other top issues were also related to financial concerns, with 8% citing affordable housing and 6% indicated their top concern was taxes.

  Favourite thing about living in Penticton – Climate, weather. Thirty-four percent of residents feel their favourite thing about living in Penticton is the climate, weather. Other favourites included the size of community (14%); vegetation, parks and scenery (10%); and a relaxed lifestyle (9%).

  Customer service provided by City employees – Excellent. The service provided by City staff received excellent satisfaction rating. The vast majority of residents felt that City staff was professional, friendly and knowledgeable.

  City services – Focus on economic development. The City is providing excellent service in the important areas of police services, fire services, water, sewer, parks and beaches and tourism. The City has room for improvement in the important areas of economic development and snow and ice removal.

  Areas to develop – Downtown. The majority (74%) would like the City to develop the downtown area. If forced to choose between downtown and waterfront revitalization, 74% would choose downtown and 16% would choose waterfront.

  Environmental concerns – Water. Twenty percent of respondents feel that water quality is the most important environmental concern facing the City of Penticton, and a further 18% feel water supply is the most important concern.

  Maintain current level of taxes and service levels. Seventy-nine percent of respondents would recommend the City maintain current levels of services and taxes. Fourteen percent want the City to increase services and taxes, and 7% want the City to reduce the level of service and lower taxes.