MICA: MICA survey results are in

Each year the Marco Island Civic Association (MICA) conducts a survey of its membership. Questions are collected throughout the year, assembled into survey format, and mailed to all members in the spring of each year. Many questions are asked, some in response to new issues that may have arisen or that appear to be issues on the horizon.

For instance, a new topic that was being discussed by the City of Marco Island prior to MICA’s survey being mailed, was a municipal takeover of electric services from Lee County Electric Cooperative. A question was added to the survey asking if City Council should pursue such a takeover. A mere 7.6 percent of the respondents were in favor of a municipal takeover and 73.3 percent were opposed to it, while 19.1 percent were undecided. This information, along with the entire survey tally, was supplied to the Marco Island City Council to aid in their decision making process.

The MICA Board of Directors recently met with all seven City Council members and all Councilors agreed that the results of MICA’s membership survey are a valuable resource in determining how the residents of Marco Island feel about topics.

Another hot topic on the survey was a special assessment for fire services. When asked if they supported a special fire services assessment, 10.4 percent voted “yes” and 17 percent were undecided, but a very large majority of the membership, 72.6 percent, did not support the City Council instituting a city fire service assessment outside of ad valorem taxes. City Council members had this information before them when making the decision to not institute such an assessment.

An issue that has been consistently addressed on MICA’s membership survey during the last 11 years is the use and disposition of Tract K, also known as the “School Site.” As they have in the past, the majority of members voted in favor of Collier County School Board transferring ownership of Tract K to the City of Marco Island for public use, as was intended by the Deltona Corporation when they deeded the property for the use of the residents of Marco Island.

Our queries were not limited to city and infrastructure issues. MICA’s survey also asked how satisfied members were with the MICA office staff, Residents’ Beach gatehouse staff, as well as the appearance and maintenance of the Marco Island Residents’ Beach. We at MICA are a little biased, so it came as no surprise that 97.6 percent were either satisfied or very satisfied with the appearance and maintenance of the Residents’ Beach! It is such a spectacular park, and it is reassuring to know that our members think so, too! Somehow, there were six individuals who were dissatisfied with the appearance of Residents’ Beach. What they could possibly be dissatisfied with escapes me, but everyone is entitled to one’s opinion.

For information regarding MICA or the Marco Island Residents’ Beach, please call 642-7778.