Hamilton County residents can speak out on spending priorities via web survey

The Hamilton County Administrator’s office is asking residents to take a few minutes to give thoughtful views on 12 policy issues facing the county, ranging from mass transit to land use.The online survey, which is open to Hamilton County residents, will be located here until Aug. 8. This is the county’s second annual community survey. Last year they received 2,000 responses; officials hope to top that number this year. “Too often difficult governance issues are portrayed as easy yes and no questions,” said County Administrator Patrick Thompson. With this survey, we are trying to provide citizens with enough background to elicit the more nuanced solutions that agency directors and elected officials have to struggle with every day.”Questions take on such issues as the stadium fund revenue shortfall, 911 call center consolidation, drug incarceration policies, election policies, Sheriff’s road patrols, approaches to public health and mass transit, and overall county government reform.  And the survey tackles current issues with specificity, including asking taxpayers how county government should work to resolve the stadium development fund deficit. “Sometimes when you ask a tough question, people assume you have an answer in mind, but we have tried to present each issue as fairly as possible, without any presumed course of action,” Thompson said.The survey will be part of the information that Hamilton County officials will use as part of the budgeting process. Results should be released in mid-August. In September, the Board of County Commissioners will hold budget hearings and in October public hearing will be scheduled.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: County Administrator Patrick ThompsonYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox