Survey says: Rolling Meadows residents want city newsletter

Rolling Meadows residents say they want to continue receiving the city’s News & Views bimonthly newsletter, according to a recent survey, but most would not be willing to pick up a copy at city hall, the public works building, the library or the senior center if offered that alternative.

City officials decided to ask residents how much they value the newsletter after discussing its printing and mailing costs during fiscal year 2011 budget discussions.

The city would save about $13,800 if it were to make the newsletter electronic only.

Of the residents who responded to the survey, 96.9 percent said they read the newsletter, and 73.5 percent said they still want a printed version sent to their homes. About 16 percent of residents responded to the survey.

“Over 1,500 households responded saying they wanted it,” Alderman John D’Astice said. “To me, that’s 1,537 households that said they read it and another 1,200 that said they want to keep it.”

D’Astice also noted that the newsletter may be the only accessible communication from the city for residents without television or Internet.

Because of the survey results, city staff recommended that News & Views continue to be printed and mailed. However, a possible opt-out feature for residents will be discussed at a future meeting.