Understanding the Values and Priorities of Central Floridians Presentation to the River to Sea TPO...

Underst

andin

g the

Values

and

Priorit

ies

of

Centr

al F

lorid

ians

Presentation to the River to Sea TPOCAC & TCCAugust 19, 2014

A PARTNERSHIP• Central Florida

Partnership

• Central Florida MPO/TPO

• Central Florida Foundation

Phase 1 – Interviews with key stakeholders and area leaders to discuss source dilemmas

Phase 2 - Conduct advanced strategy online sessions to explore values and priorities.

Phase 3 – Utilized an online interview to quantitatively measure and understand public values and priorities

VALUES RESEARCH

Understanding Who We Are:What are current perceptions of quality of life and how have those changed?What is the outlook for the future?How do residents look at the local economy and where it is going?What are the most important regional priorities?What are the most important personal priorities and values?

The study attempts to identify what citizens understand and value as the region considers the future.

QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE REGION:

Today

5 Years Ago

5 Years From Now

Most residents of Central Florida report enjoying a high quality of life and are optimistic about the future.

The national average for today is 6.1

Responses about the economy were not strong.

FUTURE OUTLOOK BY COUNTY

Volusia County residents report a stronger sense of optimism than neighboring counties and the nation.

The national average is 44% for a positive

future

THE MOST IMPORTANT REGIONAL PRIORITIES

When asked to rate the regional priorities, safety, employment and education were identified as the top priorities.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSONAL PRIORITIES

The next question is “What are the personal values triggered by these factors?

INVESTING IN TRANSPORTATION

Is investing in transportation is a priority?

Where would investment make the biggest impact?

These results are fairly consistent with previous survey efforts identifying preservation of the existing system and public transit as priorities.

78% said yes

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Why does public transportation matter?

A majority (76%) support the allocation of tax dollars to expanding and improving public transportation.

What are the prevailing attitudes about allocation of taxes to support public transportation?

IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Key messages are:• People support the use of

personal tax dollars for public transportation.

• The main reason is to help people, but a secondary reason is to ease traffic congestion.

• Benefits also include providing access to jobs and improving the environment.

A variety of themes resonate with people about why to improve public transportation, but how to make improvements is less clear.

Residents suggest a variety of areas to improve public transportation.

LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR INCREASED SPENDING

Respondents are evenly split in their beliefs regarding an increase in the level of spending for public transportation.

What level of spending do you believe should be allocated for the improvement of public transportation services and access for the local system where you live?

SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL SPENDING

Respondents were split on the appropriate level of taxes to support public transportation.

RESULTS BY COUNTY

Respondents in Volusia preferred a reallocation of existing funds over additional funding to support public transportation.

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL SPENDING

A $2 rental surcharge was preferred by a large margin. New sales tax and increasing existing roads seen as the next best options.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MATTERS BECAUSE…

Benefits tied to jobs, the environment, reduced traffic and better quality of life are the predominant reasons for supporting public transportation.

THANK YOU…