An overwhelming majority of LaSalle residents say they are getting good value for their tax money when it comes to the municipal services they receive according to a survey by research group Leger.
The results of the telephone survey of 400 households revealed 85 per cent of those polled say they are getting good or very good value. Respondents were pleased with garbage and recycling collection, snow removal, sidewalk and road maintenance, recreational facilities, service at the town hall and fire and police protection.
Leger conducted the representative phone survey in February.
“We were quite pleased with the results,” said Brenda Andreatta, director of council services. “It indicates that a majority of the residents in the town are very satisfied with the services that the town offers.”
In fact, the only areas that residents found any fault with were bylaw enforcement and a need for more public waterfront access.
The findings of the Leger survey and a list of 19 “opportunities” for improvement were unveiled Tuesday during a sparsely attended public information session at the town’s civic centre.
Former mayor and long-serving council member Bill Varga stopped by to view the display.
“I’m really happy with the results because it shows that the community has progressed since annexation,” said Varga, a 52-year resident, who recalled when Windsor took over part of the former Sandwich West Township.
“The staff, and council, is really responsible for what we have here,” he said. “All these years they’ve tried to make this a place where people really want to be.”
Deputy Mayor Marc Bondy said the results were “probably what (he) expected.”
“Who does snow plowing or salting better than the town does?” Bondy asked. “We have state of the art facilities for recreation so (residents) can play baseball, soccer, swim, ice hockey, everything’s available.
“So when you look at … what’s important to them, I think we’re hitting home runs,” he said. “There’s always room for improvement but at what cost? Increasing taxes is the only way to pay for more.”
The 19 opportunities highlight areas for council to consider improving, adding or eliminating services, Andreatta said.
They include expanding the town’s social media footprint, reviewing development approval processes, taxi regulations and in-house legal services, making electronic payment services more accessible, implementing a preventative maintenance program for public works and looking at disposal of surplus buildings or property.
A final report is expected to go to council in late May or early June.
Andreatta said no money has been specifically set aside in the service review budget for any initiatives.