Survey shows community satisfied with San Carlos

“As far as report cards go, this is about as good as it gets, this is what you hope for,” McLarney said. “When you get a report card like this, this is not by accident, these are earned numbers.” 

Overall quality of life has improved since 2023, the survey shows. When residents were asked what they would like to see changed within the city, the most common answer was “not sure” or “no changes needed.” The number one specific response suggested improvement on enforcing traffic laws, second was limiting development and growth, and third improving sidewalks and bike lanes. 

The survey, which has been conducted since 2014, shows a general trend that funding priorities for residents tend to focus on public safety and public works. The 2025 survey found that fire protection services was identified as a major funding priority, in addition to infrastructure and street maintenance and repair. 

Although limiting development and growth was identified as an area the city could work on by about 10% of survey respondents, there is an overall satisfaction with the pace of development.

For the first time since the question was asked in 2016, the majority of respondents felt the pace of development was “about right.” 

Increasing access to child care has remained at the forefront of the San Carlos City Council’s priorities in recent years, and has resulted in a positive trend demonstrated in the survey. In 2023, 51% of respondents said it was very difficult to find daycare services but this number dropped to 21%, McLarney said. 

“It’s still not easy, but it’s getting easier to find suitable day care than before,” McLarney said. 

City Manager Jeff Maltbie, who was part of the effort to conduct biennial surveys back in 2014, said the results help track larger, macro trends in city services and how residents feel about big picture ideas. 

“No matter what we hear, good bad or indifferent, there is something to be learned there,” Maltbie said. 

Looking forward, the council noted fire protection, maintaining streets and infrastructure, providing affordable housing, reducing traffic congestion and enforcing traffic laws as opportunity areas for improvement.

Overall, councilmembers showed appreciation for staff’s work and shared their pride in the city. Mayor Sara McDowell said the survey results show that “our strategic planning is working.” 

“It’s so heartwarming to hear the positive feedback from the community, I think it’s a wonderful reflection on all our staff,” McDowell said.

Note to readers: This article was updated to clarify that surveys are conducted biennially, or every two years.