Survey seeks local input on transportation, community growth, economy

Sentinel staff report–
Through Sept. 10, Citrus Heights residents and others throughout the region are being asked to share their thoughts on local and regional issues in an online survey.

The survey was published by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) and addresses topics of transportation, community growth, economic development and housing. An introductory video for the survey says responses will be used to help the direct future federal and state transportation dollars, with an eye on planning for the next two decades.

Over the next 20 years, SACOG projects 600,000 more people will live in the region, along with more than 250,000 more homes and 270,000 new jobs. Many survey questions are related to planning for this anticipated growth.

Take the survey: click here

Questions include “what are the two biggest challenges your community is facing,” and whether revenue from user fees or fuel taxes are the best way to maintain and build new roadways and bridges. Participants are also asked to share how they feel about “charging drivers a fee based on the miles they drive a personal vehicle,” an idea which is currently being discussed by SACOG and has been kicked around at the state level for the past several years.

Another question asks respondents to rank the three most important things the region can do to improve the economy, with options including increasing housing affordability, improving access to education and training for in-demand skills, and growing jobs and investment in the region.

The survey is about 20 questions in length and includes mostly multiple choice answers, all of which can be answered anonymously — unless the reader wants to be entered into a contest to win one of 10 $50 Amazon gift cards.

The survey can be taken online at www.SACOG.org.

SACOG is an association of local governments, made up of the counties of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba and the 22 cities within those counties. According to its website, the association provides regional transportation planning and funding, and also serves as a forum for studying and resolving regional issues.