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<br />(' <br /> <br />-7- <br /> <br />C""" <br /> <br />Douglas County perceives citizen opinion regarding water, <br />particularly their view of the County's leadership role - in addition to <br />the outcome of a recent County-hosted Water Summit as somewhat <br />of a mandate for Douglas County to take on a leadership role in <br />water conservation public education. <br /> <br />The survey by Hill Research Associates was conducted on April 22- <br />24 2006 with 601 Douglas County residents, who are also registered <br />voters in the County. The survey was performed to help Douglas <br />County better determine citizen perceptions of county government, <br />to establish a baseline database on a wide range of subjects, and to <br />get input regarding citizen priorities. The survey will be updated <br />annually to benchmark citizen perceptions on County government <br />performance. <br /> <br />c..., , <br /> <br />While citizens generally gave high marks to Douglas County, the <br />survey did reveal specific areas in which the County and life in <br />Douglas County are perceived as needing improvement. Thirty two <br />(32) percent of voters perceive that county lacks an effective long- <br />term plan for management of the county's future. Fifty (50) percent <br />believe County residents have too few opportunities to express their <br />views to decision-makers about local issues and policies. Fifty four <br />(54) percent agree with the statement, "Douglas County seems to <br />lack a sense of community," and 64 percent agree with the following <br />statement: 'There are so many different local governments and <br />special districts providing different services in Douglas County that it <br />is often difficult to know who or where to call for assistance." <br /> <br />On a positive note, voters see Douglas County as a good place to <br />raise a family (97%), a safe place to live and work (98%), perceive <br />that the County spends tax dollars wisely (64%), and believe that <br />County regulations are protecting "quality of life" in the County <br />(77%). More than 80% agree with the statement that Douglas <br />County has a historical legacy worth preserving and protecting. . <br /> <br />Community Outreach <br /> <br />(' <br /> <br />1. Media Relations and Publicitv- The Douglas County office of <br />Public Affairs maintains a strong working relationship with the staff of <br />five Douglas County distributed weekly newspapers (Lone Tree <br />Voice, Highlands Ranch Herald, Parker Chronicle, CasUe Rock <br />News Press, Douglas County News Press), the Douglas County <br />bureaus and gardening writers of the Denver Post and Rocky <br />Mountain News as well as their weekly community newspapers <br />YourHub. Two staff, including the director, engage in the proactive <br />placement of news and feature stories weekly. Additionally the staff <br />