We may complain about City Hall, but at the end of the day, San Antonians like the city services their tax dollars provide, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The annual Community Survey shows 64% of San Antonians say they are 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with city services. That is the highest ranking of any big city in Texas, and among the highest in the nation, 19% over the national average of 45% indicating satisfaction with their city's services.
Not surprisingly, the Fire Department is number one, with 83% of people expressing satisfaction with the SAFD. Second is garbage collection at 77%, following parks and recreation at 70%.
The SAPD trailed with 64% satisfaction, still higher than the national average of satisfaction over local police departments, but experts say getting a traffic ticket in the past year can leave a taxpayer 'unsatisfied,' even if he or she is generally pleased with public safety operations.
Major jumps have been seen in the Community Survey since the 2016 survey with support of the Airport, the city's 311 call center, and opening the budget process to the public through the SASpeakUp program.
There are some areas which are falling in satisfaction. The city's new emphasis on 'sustainabiliy' and fighting global climate change has seen significant slippage, down 10% among taxpayers. We are also less than pleased, not surprisingly, with the city's effort to improve the gridlock on our highways, and with stray animal enforcement.
“The community survey results indicate the City continues making strides in delivering the best customer service possible,” City Manager Sheryl Sculley said.