Ames citizens who are participating in the Resident Satisfaction Survey and want to give their input for next year need to act quickly.

The Resident Satisfaction Survey is one way the City of Ames tracks its citizens’ wants, needs and concerns. The survey includes questions regarding capital improvement, the police force, city electricity and water, city fees and more.

“The survey results are taken quite seriously. That’s why it’s important that they are turned in by the May 5 deadline,” said Clare Bills, city spokeswoman.

The survey is conducted annually and is given to 500 randomly selected Ames citizens. So far only 200 surveys have been returned.

“This survey has a history of very high return rates from its citizens. In the past, as many as 50 percent have completed the survey, so we are hoping for a similar return this year,” Bills said.

The survey is eight pages long and includes more than 100 questions, but there is an incentive included in the survey to encourage citizens to return them.

“Each survey that is sent out includes a ticket. The participants return the survey and the ticket together and then they go into a drawing where four participants are drawn to receive a $25 gift certificate to any restaurant in Ames,” Bills said.

The survey allows citizens to express their concerns and ideas on the raising or lowering of taxes and the break-out of major city projects. The results will be used to determine next year’s city budget priorities.