The village of Riverside is asking residents to fill out a survey before finalizing its 2024 strategic goals. The survey aims to see if the village’s goals align with the residents’ vision.
The 2024 strategic goals were first discussed at the Sept. 21 village board of trustees meeting.
These goals are part of the annual budget in accordance with the standards set forth in the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Program. To meet the criteria by the GFOA, the village has to provide each village’s unit accomplishments and strategic goals for the budget year.
Some of the important topics include the renovation of the youth center and how it can be used. The survey asks residents if they support the youth center renovation and if they would like it to be used for youth, wellness, social services, seniors, as an indoor gathering space or for partial commercial or hospitality use. Another question asks: Do you think we should continue beautification of the village?”
The survey also asks residents questions such as whether the village should separate combined wastewater and stormwater sewers, repaint the historic Water Tower, improve the Harlem Avenue corridor and address flooding.
The 36-question survey became public for Riverside residents Jan. 13. Trustee Megan Claucherty said she hopes to get a 30% response rate, which is standard in research surveys.
“I would love to get a 30% response rate. That would be amazing,” Claucherty said. “Probably a little hard to achieve [because] people get survey fatigue. They don’t necessarily want to fill it out, but I do think that this is a great process and it’s really important feedback.”
President Douglas Pollock acknowledged that the board of trustees is behind schedule, as the year already started. He said he aims to adopt the survey results no later than the first meeting in March.
“We got started late on this. This is really something ideally would have been done during summer or fall of 2023,” Pollock said. “We hit the ground running in 2024, but this is where we’re at. So, let’s do all those efforts.”
The survey is available through a link on Riverside’s website.