Los Alamos Reporter

County Biennial Community Survey Mailed To Randomly Selected Households Today

Biennial county survey launches Monday. Photo Courtesy LAC

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos County, in partnership with its contractor National Research Center, kicks-off its biennial Community Survey. More than 2,500 postcards were dropped in the mail on Monday, Dec. 5, to randomly selected households throughout Los Alamos and White Rock. Recipients are invited to partake in this survey online, or if preferred, wait for a paper copy to follow. The survey aims to provide a comprehensive picture of citizen perspectives on community livability. 

While the County has been regularly conducting community satisfaction surveys for almost 30 years, in 2020 it moved to the National Community Survey. Unlike previous survey instruments, the National Community Survey benchmarks responses against other communities nationwide. According to county officials, this information adds another layer of understanding. Citizen perceptions that may appear to be “good” when viewed in isolation, may however show the County is under- or overperforming, when compared to other communities.   

Los Alamos County Council and officials use the results from the survey to help guide strategic planning efforts to identify priority goals and dedicate necessary resources to improve services, facilities, and initiatives. 

Residents who receive a postcard invitation to take the survey can use the code and link included to access the online option immediately, or individuals can wait for the paper copy, which should arrive approximately one week later. Instructions for who to select in the household to take the survey (one person per household), as well as how to return it will be included.  

To augment the responses from the valid sample mailing, an open participation period will be extended to all residents and businesses starting January 2, 2023. A link will be provided to the public at that time. The Community Survey will close for everyone on January 16, 2023. 

For more information or any questions, contact Leslie Bucklin at 505-663-1726 or email le.bucklin@lacnm.us. Visit the County’s Open Gov website to view the 2020 citizen survey results and appendices.