A new citizen satisfaction survey in Kamloops says 80 per cent of taxpayers feel they get good value for their tax dollars.

Gary Milkaovic with Forum Research, which did the survey, says that’s better than what survey respondents said in four comparable communities. Those being Kelowna, Prince George, Langley and Nanaimo.

“Ultimately, the survey reflects very positively on the City of Kamloops and the services you provide. You’re receiving very high quality of life scores. Far more people are willing to promote Kamloops than not. You’re receiving high satisfaction ratings among customer service, and this is a very important measure for residents in Kamloops and their feelings of quality of life.”

The survey shows roads, sidewalks and traffic are top-of-mind concerns. The top issue for people who did the survey was roads and sidewalks, with 17 per cent saying they are concerned about matters like safety and maintenance. Other top issues were homelessness, according to 13 per cent of respondents, as well as drugs and crime (nine per cent).

Meanwhile, the top item for quality of life areas that have worsened was traffic and congestion, with 20 per cent saying that has gotten worse. The next-closest areas that worsened were crime (19 per cent of respondents), road conditions (15 per cent) and homelessness and poverty (14 per cent).

On the flip side, it says the top areas that have improved quality of life are access to amenities (24 per cent), infrastructure improvements (19 per cent), and job opportunities (11 per cent).

Respondents voted the top qualities of Kamloops as the nice weather and climate (28 per cent), access to green space and outdoor activities (22 per cent) and “the people” (20 per cent). Close behind in fourth was access to amenities (19 per cent).

Forum Research called 400 residents at random for the survey in 2019. It has done similar surveys for the city in 2016, 2012, 2009, 2006 and 2003.

It says 54 per cent of respondents are Kamloops residents of 20-or-more years, 17 per cent have lived here for 10-20 years, 24 per cent have lived here between one and 10 years, and just four per cent have lived here for less than one year. Two per cent of respondents “preferred  not to say.”