AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation and hold discussion regarding the community survey, and provide direction to the City Manager.
Body
Meeting date: August 5, 2025
Department: Communications and Intergovernmental Relations
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $25,900
Account Number: Click or tap here to enter text.
Funds Available: Yes, ARPA funded
Account Name: Click or tap here to enter text.
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Click or tap here to enter text.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Quality of Life & Sense of Place
Economic Vitality
Mobility & Connectivity
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☐ Land Use - Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☐ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Choose an item.
☐ Transportation - Choose an item.
☐ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Choose an item.
Background Information:
In 2022, the City of San Marcos conducted its first Community Survey through the National Community Survey (NCS) to gather statistically valid feedback from residents about the quality of life in San Marcos and satisfaction with City services. The survey provided a snapshot of community priorities and helped guide decision-making and budget planning. The City Council expressed interest in making this a recurring effort. The City’s goal is to survey the community every three years to track trends and identify emerging needs.
The National Community Survey captures resident opinions across ten key facets of livability: economy, mobility, community design, utilities, safety, natural environment, parks and recreation, health and wellness, education, arts and culture, and inclusivity and engagement. The 2025 survey will allow the City to evaluate progress since the 2022 survey and ensure future planning and investments align with the evolving priorities of San Marcos residents.
Council can include custom questions. Below are the custom questions we asked our community in 2022. They are included in the attached 2022 report staring on page 58.
Please indicate how often, if at all, do you leave San Marcos to frequent each of the following types of businesses in nearby communities: Grocery stores, club or wholesale retailers, fast food restaurants, casual dine-in restaurants, upscale/fine dining restaurants, bars/nightlife, boutique/private retail shopping opportunities, large-scale/big box retail shopping opportunities, personal services.
Please indicate whether you think the City of San Marcos should actively pursue attracting more of each type of business: Grocery stores, club or wholesale retailers, fast food restaurants, casual dine-in restaurants, upscale/fine dining restaurants, bars/nightlife, boutique/private retail shopping opportunities, large-scale/big box retail shopping opportunities, personal services.
In May 2022, the City of San Marcos approved an economic development policy to encourage and support high quality new business development and the expansion of its business community through retention, and recruitment endeavors. Please tell us how much you agree or disagree with the following: This policy is right for the City of San Marcos, This policy will help the City move in a positive direction.
How much of a source, if at all, are each of the following for you for getting information about the City of San Marcos government and its activities, events, and services? City website, regional media outlets, government access channel, San Marcos Council meetings and other public meetings, Talking with San Marcos officials and/or San Marcos employees, City of San Marcos communications via social media, word-of-mouth, direct mailings, utility bill stuffers
How important, if at all, is it for the City of San Marcos to focus on each of the following: Improving the east of downtown public parking, assessing/addressing the impacts of tourism on our city’s natural resources.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
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