Missed the webinar? You can watch it now on demand!
On September 18, 2025, Zencity and ICMA hosted an interactive webinar, Turning Community Insights into Action, bringing together local government leaders and experts to unpack the latest results from Zencity’s National Community Survey. The conversation, moderated by Lee Feldman (former City Manager of Fort Lauderdale, FL), featured insights from Zencity’s Value Strategist, Serene Shacket, and JJ Murphy, Assistant County Administrator of Pasco County, FL.
Here are the top insights from the discussion:
1. National Snapshot: Quality of Life & Resident Priorities
Zencity’s national survey gathered responses from more than 5,500 residents across the U.S. Results showed that 66% of respondents rated their overall quality of life positively, with the Northeast reporting the highest satisfaction at 71% and the West Coast the lowest at 64%
Respondents highlighted areas of strength such as local libraries, parks, and access to quality healthcare. However, complex challenges, particularly transportation, housing, and jobs that pay a living wage, consistently ranked lowest.
As Serene explained:
“These aren’t surprising. They’re structural issues shaped by forces beyond local government control, but they have enormous influence on how residents feel about their communities overall.”
2. Demographics Reveal Equity Gaps
The survey uncovered important differences across demographic groups:
- Transportation: Respondents 55+ were 15% less likely to rate it positively than the national average.
- Jobs: Higher-income households were more satisfied with living-wage jobs than lower-income households.
- Housing: Black and African American respondents reported more positive views on affordable housing availability compared to the general population
Serene noted that these distinctions are vital for leaders:
“Different groups can have very different experiences, even within the same community. These gaps point local leaders toward opportunities to close equity divides.”
3. Making Insights Actionable with the Priority Matrix
Zencity helps local governments translate survey data into actionable priorities using a priority matrix, mapping satisfaction against impact on overall quality of life. Unsurprisingly, affordable housing ranked as a high-impact challenge for most communities.
Pasco County’s experience demonstrated the value of this tool. After residents identified parks and recreation as a top priority, despite elected officials initially rejecting a tax increase, Pasco redirected $4 million into its parks budget.
“We were able to take that data to the elected officials and say: residents want more investment in parks. And that’s exactly what we did,” shared JJ Murphy.
4. Building Trust with Transparent Engagement
The discussion emphasized that survey data isn’t just about numbers, it’s about trust. Both Lee and JJ shared stories where real-time resident feedback helped distinguish outside noise from true community sentiment, particularly during times of crisis.
JJ reflected:
“There are life and death examples of why what Zencity does matters. Measuring sentiment helps us be better public employees and build credibility with our communities.”
5. Practical Lessons for Local Leaders
Key takeaways for city and county managers:
- Benchmarking is essential. Comparing results to national averages and peer cohorts helps contextualize local challenges.
- Frequency matters. Quarterly surveys allow leaders to track shifts in sentiment and adapt quickly.
- Transparency strengthens trust. Sharing results with residents closes the feedback loop and validates their voices.
- Data informs budgets. Surveys provide the evidence administrators need to justify funding decisions to elected officials.
As Lee Feldman concluded:
“Surveys are one of the best tools for listening to residents. They help leaders cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters to the community.”
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Join the Ongoing Conversation
Join our Zencity Impact – Local Government USA LinkedIn Group to swap ideas, share your own engagement strategies, and connect with peers across the country.
Want to learn more about how Zencity can help you engage your community when it comes to budgeting? Request a demo today!
