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City of Revelstoke surveys customer service satisfaction

Should dogs be banned downtown? Should the city cut tree replacement? Should city recycling services be reduced?
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A screenshot from the City of Revelstoke's ongoing customer service survey.

The City of Revelstoke is surveying residents to find their level of satisfaction with city services. They're also seeking your input and opinions on a number of issues.

The Sept. 27–Oct. 18 online survey asks residents to rate various city departments. It poses specific questions on particular services provided by each department.

The survey includes multiple-choice answers, and also provides space for written feedback.

Mayor David Raven said the survey is designed to enhance communications. "It also signals a new era of engaging citizens from all sectors to provide guidance in effective community-based priorities," he said.

A city media release said the survey would take about five minutes to complete, but that seems a bit short. A Times Review staff member did the survey and tried to provide thoughtful, accurate answers. Our result: almost 13 minutes – and we didn't fill in any of sections provided for written answers.

The bulk of the survey solicits feedback on services provided by city departments. However, one other section is noteworthy; it is a long list of city services you're invited give the thumbs up or thumbs down to in the name of austerity. Would you cut pool hours? Reduce snow removal? You're asked to agree or disagree.

Messaging about cutting city services has been central to budget debates over the past five years, with the mayor equating budget cuts with service reductions. Critics, including citizen budget review committee members, have pointed to more efficient city services as an alternative.

Another section floats the idea of banning dogs downtown or in the Revelstoke Farm & Craft Market.

The city intends to make the survey an annual event, and promised to release the results near the end of the year.

The media release doesn't say how detailed the report on the survey will be, such as if written comments will be included. A staff member was not immediately available to answer questions on the survey.

The survey solicits your age and gender, but doesn't provide a space to include your name.

What about cheating? It seems the survey can be completed multiple times from the same computer.

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Here's a link to the survey.