Community Survey
Summary
The City of Fairfax conducted a Community Survey as a formal process to gather resident feedback on city services, priorities, and quality of life. Staff first presented the survey process to the City Council at a work session on April 22, 2025, with no formal action taken. Discussion was rescheduled from June 10 to June 24, 2025, where the Council again discussed the survey without formal action. Follow-up discussions occurred at the June 28, 2025 City Council Retreat and again at a July 1, 2025 work session, both without recorded formal votes or actions. By late October 2025, results had been received and were being cited publicly: the survey showed strong community satisfaction with city services, and identified availability of walking and biking trails as the top parks and recreation priority, and affordable housing as a top human services concern. A dashboard was made available on the city's website for residents to explore the results. As of early 2026, survey findings continued to be referenced in discussions on affordable housing, senior services, and transportation/walkability planning.
Open questions & options on the table
- Whether the Community Survey will be conducted on a regular/recurring basis — at least one council member expressed hope that it becomes a routine feedback tool used regularly.
What members have said
At the October 28, 2025 meeting, Council Member Hardy Chandler noted that the community survey identified availability of walking and biking trails as the number one item under parks and recreation, and indicated this would be a factor — though not the decisive one — in further discussions. He also expressed fiscal concerns about drawing from the general fund or unassigned fund balance.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[1a] Staff presented and discussed the community survey process during the work session. No formal action was taken.
[11d] Work session discussion was rescheduled for June 24, 2025; not held at this meeting.
[11d] Council discussed the Community Survey during the work session; no formal action was taken.
[6] Scheduled as a follow-up discussion on the community survey. No outcome recorded.
[1e] Council held a follow-up discussion on the community survey during the work session.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.