The Regional District of Nanaimo plans to conduct regular community engagement surveys as way to gauge the needs of residents.
A budget of $25,000 has been alloted for the 2022 community engagement survey. It aims to determine the residents need, want and value; what the RDN is doing well; how the RDN can do better; and how best to communicate and engage with residents.
According to staff, the RDN has been doing annual reports but despite of the quality of information it contains, is not used by the public to access information on programs, services and other operational details. Staff reasoned the report is more than 100 pages and makes it cumbersome and overwhelming for the average person to comprehend and understand.
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The RDN board endorsed the plan at its regular meeting on Jan. 25 but it wasn’t unanimous. Area E (Nanoose Bay) director Bob Rogers, Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood) director Leanne Salter and Area A (Cedar, South Wellington, Yellowpoint, Cassidy) Keith Wilson were opposed.
The details of what the survey will contain and how it will be conducted are still to be determined.
The plan is to conduct the survey every four years and make them available to a newly elected board to help them establish their strategic plans and priorities during their term.