A report on the results from the survey, which focused mainly on city services and finances, was released in mid-December.

Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates, a public opinion research firm, conducted the survey. The firm interviewed 500 Saratoga residents over the telephone asking questions approved by the city council. Survey participants were selected by a random digit dial process.

Ninety-four percent of people surveyed rated Saratoga as an excellent or good place to live. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said things in Saratoga are generally headed in the right direction, while 22 percent felt things were seriously off-track.

The survey indicated that residents are generally satisfied with city services. Three of five primary city services were given fairly high marks: public policy by 78 percent of respondents; road and infrastructure maintenance by 49 percent; and recreation by 52 percent.

Business development and planning did not fare so well. Twenty-five percent were satisfied with business development and 39 percent were satisfied with planning.

When read a list of potential problems and asked to rate them on seriousness, participants said the number one problem was the high cost of the average home in Saratoga. The need for revitalization of the downtown Village was rated the second most serious problem, with 48 percent calling it an extremely serious or very serious problem.

One in four participants would like to see the city government do something about the downtown area, with 15 percent specifically saying, "need more business downtown," and 12 percent saying, "revitalize the downtown area."

In addition, the survey showed that 74 percent of participants supported rezoning parts of Saratoga near the Village to allow for bed and breakfast inns. Sixty-eight percent were in favor of developing 10 acres of vacant land near Highway 85 and Saratoga Avenue as shops, businesses and restaurants.

Fifty-three percent of participants supported new economic development as a means to raise revenue for the city. On the question of a small tax increase, 45 percent of participants were in favor, while 47 percent opposed.

A majority of participants wanted new revenue to go towards emergency preparedness and after-school teen programs.

Mayor Norman Kline stated in a press release that this was the first city survey in more than 10 years and that it provides valuable information in helping set priorities for the city.