Milwaukie, Oregon Development News

Community Survey Highlights Satisfaction Gaps, Identifies Key Resident Priorities

A comprehensive community survey conducted by Dr. Tanisha Tate Woodson revealed key insights into resident satisfaction with city services, communication preferences, and priorities. Overall satisfaction with city services is generally high, but significant equity gaps exist, with Black residents, younger adults (18-29), recent arrivals (less than four years), non-child households, and those earning less than $60,000 annually reporting lower approval and confidence levels. Communication preferences vary significantly by age, income, and race, highlighting the need for multi-channel approaches. Housing affordability and public safety (including crime, infrastructure, and road safety) are top concerns, particularly for specific demographic groups. The survey also indicated varying importance placed on library services, with lower-income households prioritizing weekend hours and younger residents valuing evening hours and technology access. Park maintenance and activities receive generally high satisfaction, but Black residents report significantly higher dissatisfaction rates. Recommendations include closing the feedback loop with residents, diversifying communication channels, meeting residents where they are, prioritizing housing as an equity issue, and investing in safety. The survey also highlighted that $10,000 of the lobbying fund was allocated to the Wamut Falls Locks Authority. A significant finding was the need to include youth under 18 in future surveys, prompting a proposal for near-term youth engagement.