SARASOTA COUNTY - Residents have offered high praise for their quality of life in Sarasota County, as shown in the 34th annual Citizen's Opinion Survey. The purpose is to show trend data over three decades, support decision-making, and gauge the sentiment of residents.
The citizen survey, which was conducted through random calls to both landlines and cell phones, measured trust in government, satisfaction with Sarasota County services, and economic growth priorities, among other various topics between July 9 to Aug. 29, 2025. This year, specialty questions focused on infrastructure, growth and development, and allocating resources to keeping Midnight Pass open.
The survey is conducted by the University of South Florida and HCP Associates on behalf of Sarasota County. Results represent the community's sentiments about Sarasota County's management of resources, well-being, health, and more. Continued, strong trust in Sarasota County government and a high quality of life was reported by residents.
Examples from the survey show respondents would continue to recommend Sarasota County as a place to live, raise a family, open a business, retire, and vacation.
In addition, 95% of respondents rated their quality of life in Sarasota County as good or excellent and of those respondents that have contacted the county for assistance, 90% said they received correct information from county staff.
Expanding roads and bridges and enhancing stormwater management were ranked as the highest priorties in infrastructure improvements for respondants; while population growth and new development continues to be the most important issue facing the county to respondants. The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners value the information as it provides the data and historical trends to show a high-level view of the community.
According to County Administrator Jonathan Lewis, the survey is an important tool to help the Board gauge the needs and the perspective of the community.
"The annual Citizen's Opinion Survey allows the Board and county staff to see and hear the perspectives of the community," Lewis said. "We want to thank the community members who participated in this year's survey and provided feedback on the priorties of our board and their interactions with staff. This information helps us continue to provide the best possible service to the residents, business owners and visitors of Sarasota County."
View the survey results by clicking here. For additional information, please call 311 or visit scgov.net.
