NOTN- Streets, schools and public safety topped the list of community priorities in the results of the recent city budget survey that, according to city leaders drew an unusually high level of public participation.

Mayor Beth Weldon said 4,400 residents responded to the survey.

“Which is quite unusual, and if you think about that, that’s half of what we usually have for voting on elections. So we did have a lot of people interested in telling us what they prioritize.” Weldon said.

According to Weldon, the number one priority identified by respondents was streets, roads and winter maintenance, followed by schools and public safety.

Rounding out the top 10 priorities were water and wastewater services, Bartlett Regional Hospital, recreation facilities, trails, the airport, national disaster response, libraries and museums.

Residents were also surveyed on areas they viewed as lower priorities or potential places to cut.

Tourism management ranked first among programs seen as candidates for reductions.

“The responses were mainly that they thought we should use more of the Marine Passenger fees to do that, rather than general fund fees.” Weldon said.

Other lower-ranked areas included climate and energy efficiency, economic development, housing development and land use planning, recreation facilities, homeless services, libraries and museums, trails, and the port and harbor.

“It was interesting seeing recreation facilities both on priority and where to cut but it totally was generational. The older you were, the less you prioritize recreational facilities.” Said Weldon.

The most popular option for raising or adjusting revenue was through property tax changes, Weldon said, with support “well into the 50%” range.

“It will be pretty tricky to do that, because one of the ballot measures capped our property tax, so we can’t do a lot there for another year or two.” Weldon said.

Weldon said the city is continuing to collect feedback through budget workshops, the final workshop takes place on March 4.