MARIPOSA—Mariposa County is excited to announce community feedback and engagement opportunities to help guide future decision-making. One of the efforts is the launch of a community survey to gather feedback from residents. The survey is part of an effort to update The Mariposa County Strategic Plan to reflect the current needs and priorities of the community. The survey will allow residents to provide feedback on a range of topics, including public safety, transportation, services, and more.
“We want to hear from as many residents as possible,” said Dallin Kimble, County Administrative Officer. “Because of this, we are starting with a random sample survey, which will provide unbiased results that can be generalized to understand countywide perspectives. In early June, we will open the survey to all residents so anyone who wants to share feedback will have that opportunity.”
Survey information has been mailed out to residents, which they should expect to see soon. This information will provide details on who should complete the survey and how they can do so online or via mailing. Following the initial collection, the survey will then be opened completely for any and all residents to complete.
“As we begin the process of updating the Mariposa County Strategic Plan, we want to ensure the goals of the county government reflect the goals and values of our community,” Kimble stressed. “With input from the community survey and several town hall meetings that will be scheduled soon, the updated strategic plan will continue to guide County decision-making over the next several years.”
Additionally, Mariposa County has launched a Short-Term Rental survey to understand better how residents and businesses are being impacted by short-term rentals. This will be part of a comprehensive analysis of vacation rentals in our community. This survey will be open to residents online through June 14th. Residents without access to the internet or computers at home are invited to visit one of our library branches to complete the survey.
“This is part of a larger effort,” shared Mariposa County’s Housing Development Specialist Ben Goger. “We will also be hosting community engagement events around the county for in-person feedback that will allow us to dive even deeper into the conversation about short-term rentals.”
For more information about these surveys, please visit www.mariposacounty.org/2756/PublicInformation
Mariposa County sits in the central foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is a “gateway” town to Yosemite which creates many unique benefits and challenges for the residents. The town of Mariposa sprouted up during the California Gold Rush of the 1840s and 1850s. It is home to the longest, still-in-use courthouse in California. Mariposa County’s economy is largely based on tourism due to its proximity to Yosemite, but it also includes ranching and farming.
The Mariposa County Strategic Plan addresses the diversity of the county with the following statements included:
Vision Statement: The Best Version of Ourselves
Mariposa County is a thriving, scenic, historic, and culturally vibrant rural community where residents, businesses, and visitors enjoy the opportunity, security, engagement, prosperity, and wellness.
Mission Statement: Our Role in Reaching Our Vision
To improve the quality of life in Mariposa County through active community engagement and the efficient delivery of outstanding public services.
Guiding Values: How We Will Do Business
- Collaboration – We partner in our community and lead in our state.
- Integrity – We do what is moral, ethical, legal, honest, fair, equitable, and humane.
- Sustainability – We meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations.
- Transparency – We are open, accountable, and accessible to the public.
- Excellence – We are effective, efficient, equitable, and citizen-focused, with a focus on constant improvement.
On February 7, 2023, County Administrative Officer Dallin Kimble presented a strategic plan update to the Board of Supervisors. This community survey is intended to understand public perceptions of county services better. That objective, statistically significant data will be shared with the public through a series of town hall meetings to be held in July, August, and September. A draft plan update will be presented to the Board in the Fall of 2023 with the goal of adopting an updated plan by the end of the year.