September 23, 2025

Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: September 22, 2025

Sidney BC

Highlights from regular Council meetings provide a brief summary of some items of broad public interest. The summary is not inclusive of all agenda items. Please refer to sidney.civicweb.net/Portal for the full agenda, minutes, and webcast.

Citizen Satisfaction Survey shows strong appreciation for Town services and identifies areas for improvement

Council received the results of a Citizen Satisfaction Survey conducted this spring, providing valuable insight into community perspectives on municipal services and priorities.

The Town partnered with Ipsos to ensure the survey was accurate and representative of the community. A total of 1,156 residents responded, representing a strong level of engagement for this type of survey.

Key Findings

  • Overall satisfaction: 93% of respondents reported being very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the overall level and quality of services provided by the Town.
  • Quality of life: 98% of respondents rated their quality of life in Sidney as very good or good.
  • Top community issues: Residents identified transportation (including parking and congestion), social issues (including affordable housing and homelessness), along with growth and development as the most important challenges facing the community.
  • Overall Attitudes: Survey responses reflected positive overall attitudes toward the Town, particularly regarding inclusivity, government transparency, and financial responsibility. Areas identified for improvement include public engagement and ensuring residents feel their opinions are valued.

Council passed a motion to conduct the survey every four years, at the mid-point of each Council term, to ensure future Councils track changes over time and remain attuned to community sentiment.

Quote from Mayor Cliff McNeil Smith:

 We were pleased to see strong engagement on the survey. It’s clear residents want to be engaged and have a voice in shaping our community. We were encouraged by the results, which show that a high majority of residents are satisfied with the services the Town provides and continue to enjoy a high quality of life in Sidney. At this same time, the survey also identified areas for improvement. This input will help inform strategic planning, budgeting, and decision-making in the years ahead. I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their thoughts and help us focus on priorities for our community.
Results of 2025 Citizen Satisfaction Survey                     Video