Thursday evening residents of Superior were invited to attend a public meeting reviewing the results of a community attitude survey.
In previous years such surveys were personally delivered. This year residents of the community were invited to respond to an on-line survey.
This year’s participation rate was a fraction of what was obtained in the last go-round. That time the survey had a 72 percent response rate. This time it was only 16 percent.
Forty-seven percent of those responding were in the 19 to 44 age group. The other 53 per cent were 45 years old or older. Fifty-two percent of those responding had lived in the community for more than 20 years.
The survey showed a continued increase in community satisfaction.
Of those responding, renewal of the sales tax was supported by 83 percent but it was about an even split on whether it should be kept at 1 percent or increased to 1.5 percent.
Of those responding, an overwhelming 90 percent supported an expansion of recreational opportunities. Sixty-eight percent of those responding rated the community’s recreational opportunities at poor to fair. This is down from previous years.
Recreational improvement suggestions included biking and hiking trails, new swimming pool and a splash pad.
While respondents were generally satisfied with childcare availability, they would like to have later pickup options.
As in past years, respondents would like to have more evening dining options.
After Levi Adams of South Central Economic Development District reported on the survey conducted by the agency, Lori Ferguson asked those present to divide into groups and discuss ways the identified needs could be addressed.
Areas of concern addressed included housing, business succession, recreation and solid waste.
Sharon Hueftle, the director of the development district, praised Superior for the improvements made during the 15 years she had been with the agency.
Copies of the detailed attitude survey report are available at the public library and the city office. The report is also available on the city’s web site.
Before the meeting closed, Levi Clark presented information on the sales tax question voters will be asked to approve.
He said the current one percent city sales tax raises about $250,000 each year. About half of that money has been used for projects like developing the SCOR ball field, planning grants, owner occupied housing rehab programs, dilapidated housing demolition, the downtown revitalization program and the new Project Boom.
About 20 percent has been used for the purchase of new equipment for the police, fire, emergency medical services, street and parks departments. The balance of $75,000 has been directed to the LB840 Economic Development fund. The fund has made loans of $815,000 for business development and funded community improvements and educational activities.
The proposed 1.5 per cent sales tax is expected to raise $300,000 each year. Of this, the tentative distribution will direct $175,000 each year for capital purchases, community improvements, recreational development and education, $75,000 will continue to be directed to the LB840 economic development activities and $50,000 will be directed to the equipment fund.
Superior is one of 117 Nebraska cities of the second class. Of those, 109 have a sales tax. The average rate is 1.42 percent.
This issue of The Express contains the official notice of the special election called to consider an extension of the sales tax for another 15 years. Superior voters have twice before approved the tax and turned it down once.
Plans are to conduct the election via a mail-in ballot.
We expect to have more information about the sales tax question in coming weeks.
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