Key planning through such tools as the Greer Community Master Plan and monitoring progress through the National Citizen Survey have proven to be effective as the City of Greer works to improve not only infrastructure but also the quality of life for residents.
National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) has validated the effectiveness of those planning efforts, naming the City of Greer as winner of the 2016 Voice of the People Award for Transformation in Foundations of Livability. The award is presented only to jurisdictions that best listen and act to improve their communities.
NRC president Tom Miller said City of Greer residents’ responses through the National Citizen Survey reflected the highest levels of improvement with foundations of livability and economy compared with all other participating jurisdictions.
“This is a unique opportunity to see evidence of best practices quantified by survey results,” Miller said. “Others can understand the successes of their colleagues and get to know what’s working best in America.”
Greer City Administrator Ed Driggers shared news of the award with Greer City Council Tuesday evening.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be among the nation’s leaders for improvement in foundations of livability and economy,” Driggers said. “That’s our ultimate goal and to have those efforts validated by those who live here is very rewarding.”
The Voice of the People Awards is the only honor given in local government based on community opinion. The perspectives of the residents determine nominees for the best of community engagement, safety, mobility, foundations of livability, recreation and wellness, education and enrichment, natural environment, built environment and economy.
The City of Greer utilized the National Citizen Survey in both 2011 and 2015 to measure resident opinions and satisfaction with local government and services with a scientific, representative sample approach.
The Voice of the People Awards is presented by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and National Research Center, Inc. They will be presented next month at the 102nd annual ICMA conference in Kansas City, Mo.
In city council tonight:
• Second and final reading of Ordinance Number 23-2016 (annexation of Westmoreland Road property). Motion to approve with zoning amended from R7.5 to R10. Approved, 6-0.
• Second and final reading of Ordinance Number 24-2016 (annexation of 612 Westmoreland Road property). Motion to approve with zoning amended from R7.5 to R10. Approved, 6-0.
• Traffic concerns on Hillside Drive resulted in a traffic impact study in the Hillside Drive, O’Neal Road, Memorial Drive and Mt. Vernon Road areas. Approved, 6-0.