City of Salzburg – City Index 2022: Certificate brings good success for the city
The waste service and fire brigade are a step ahead – Salzburg residents say about the administration that they are likeable and friendly professionals. Younger people see the city as an interesting employer with meaningful tasks.
Since 2007, the city has reliably risen in how the people of Salzburg see and evaluate the city’s work. This year it was that time again and the “certificate” is particularly meaningful after more than two years of the pandemic. “The people of Salzburg once again give their administration a good report. They appreciate the employees, the offers, services and projects. The city index shows this once again in an impressive way,” says Mayor Harald Preuner and continues: “Especially after the last few years with Corona, where core services such as senior citizens’ homes, childcare or the waste service and city library were even more in focus, I’m happy that special.”
City as an employer: Generation under 30 appreciates the job offer
The assessment of how people see the city administration as an employer is particularly pleasing. The administration can score particularly well with young people, the Salzburg women under 30 years of age. 63% of those under the age of 30 say that the city government is an attractive place to work. They particularly appreciate the reliability and stability (81%), the salary and the general conditions with the social benefits (75%) and the development and promotion opportunities. The city as an employer is increasing quite well compared to 2019. “We are particularly pleased that we can score with young people,” says City Council Director Max Tischler and: “People under thirty are a particularly important and interesting target group for us, because only if the administration can be successful with people who are looking for a job are, we can accompany the ongoing personnel change well. I am confident that we will become even more attractive with the new salary scheme – which is currently on the home stretch.”
Check out the city’s most important services
For the people of Salzburg, the most important core services of the city are the fire brigade with 1.17 according to the school grade principle. At 1.20 follows the waste service and the recycling yard. Road and snow clearing received a grade of 1.29. Childcare facilities and public parks and playgrounds are seen as equally important (Note: 1.44). Only slightly behind are the senior citizens’ facilities with 1.47. With these effects, the pandemic has not changed much. “Nevertheless, the results show a trend. The pandemic has sharpened the view of what the city has to offer and people appreciate these indispensable services of the city even more,” says Ernestine Berger from the Institute for Basic Research (IGF).
The fire brigade and refuse service have the edge
The results are also interesting when you ask the people of Salzburg how they rate the services offered and the concrete work of the administration. Here, too, the fire brigade (1.25) and the refuse service (1.44) have the edge. This is followed by the city library with a grade of 1.61. Followed by road and snow clearing and the passport and lost property service, which is particularly evident in the pre-trip period (at 1.71). What is striking here is the sometimes very good rating of the social services in the homes for the elderly and childcare. For example, households with children praise educational institutions more. The second look is more differentiated in the case of senior citizens’ homes: “The grandchildren and relatives appreciate the range of municipal facilities more than the 60+ generation. For both areas, the values in this phase after Covid are particularly noteworthy!” says Berger in her analysis.
The behavior grade: City administration is a professional service provider
People are explicitly asked about their experiences with the city and above all in contact with the employees. Especially after more than two years of the pandemic, the result is still very gratifying:
- 58% of people say that they generally had (very) good experiences with the city’s employees in direct (also by telephone) contact. Only 8% of those who explicitly say they have had less than good experiences when interacting with the city.
- They appreciate the friendliness in contact – 69% give grade 1 or 2 – and the professional competence of the colleagues. Here 64% give a grade of 1 or 2. 29% say that the city administration has become professional in the last two to three years.
- The only things they value most about the employees are their “friendliness/politeness” (69%) and competence (63%). The administration should improve its accessibility (50%). This can probably also affect the rush? trace back in the pandemic.
- Particularly exciting are statements that are made about the city administration:
- 77% agree completely/rather with the statement that the city administration is indispensable for coexistence in this city.
- 68% agree that the administration ensures that Salzburg has a good reputation.
- 56% say the city government is there when you need them.
The people of Salzburg and their city
- Salzburg is one safe city: 92% of people feel safe in Salzburg (interesting detailed result: women: 91.6%)
- Salzburg is one vibrant city of art and culture: 88% praise the cultural and artistic offerings
- Important labor and business location: 87% find that the city is a attractive workplace and 83% say it is an important business location
- Salzburg is a natural one recreation room: 86% think that Salzburg is a city with lots of greenery and a healthy environment.
- “Proud of World Heritage“: 79% praise the condition and the structural developments in the old town.
- Salzburg enters the pedal: 64% are (very) satisfied with the offer for cyclists.
- impact from corona: The pandemic has had a relatively clear impact on the question “Has your image of the city of Salzburg changed in the last two to three years?” 57% answer that it has stayed the same, 26% say it has become negative and only 17 % think it’s gotten better.
- That life I am district: There is an exciting aspect to the question of whether life in your personal neighborhood has improved or deteriorated. 46% of those under the age of 30 feel that their life in the district has improved (in comparison: only 28% of the total population). Broken down to districts, there are some surprising results, even if the sample can then be very small.
- The most pressing challenges for the Salzburg population, the topics are “development of affordable housing” (66%) and “mobility” (55%). It is noticeable here that there has been a significant decline in the area of ”mobility” from 70% in 2019 to 55% now.
About the city index:
With the city index, the administration has risen in an evenly balanced mood among the city population since 2007.
- Target group: resident population in the city of Salzburg aged 16 and over
- Selection procedure: random quota according to data from Statistics Austria
- Survey method: Mixed mode – telephone and online survey
- Survey period: May 2022
- Maximum statistical fluctuation range in relation to the overall result +/- 4.5%
- Evaluation basis: n=502
- Comparative data: IGF image studies from 2007