HCP Associates Presents 35th Annual Sarasota County Citizen Opinion Survey Findings
SARASOTA, Fla., October 7, 2026—HCP Associates recently presented findings from the 35th Annual Sarasota County Citizen Opinion Survey to the Board of County Commissioners.
Jack Smith, HCP’s Director of Community Insights and Engagement, presented the results alongside Dr. Joshua Scacco, Director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy at the University of South Florida (USF), and fellow USF students, Sam Kotasek and Joziah Rivas. This working relationship with HCP allows students to gain useful experience with applied research.
HCP began its partnership on the survey in 2018 and helped enhance the questionnaire and sample size to better reflect the growth in Sarasota County since the first study was conducted. Topics explored in the 2026 survey included residents’ experiences with county services, growth and development, housing, infrastructure priorities, and more.
“This study continues to provide important information to Sarasota County’s elected officials and administration each year,” said Jack Smith. “In 2026, Sarasota County residents reported strong stability in positive feelings about the overall quality of life in the county, including their level of satisfaction with county services, their likelihood to recommend the county, and their trust in local government.”
The research provides Sarasota County leaders with data and resident perspectives that can inform strategic decision-making, planning and future public engagement. To read more about the results of the presentation or view a copy, visit the Sarasota County website.
About HCP Associates
For 40 years, HCP Associates has helped organizations make better decisions through research, strategy, and marketing. Based in Tampa, Florida, HCP works across public, private and nonprofit sectors, combining research and insight with strategic planning, brand development, marketing and communications. For more information, visit www.hcpassociates.com.
About the Center for Sustainable Democracy at the University of South Florida:
The Center for Sustainable Democracy (CSD) at the University of South Florida is a nonpartisan, multi-disciplinary research center focusing on challenges posed to and opportunities for democracy and civil society in the 21st century. Sustainable democracy means governance, information, and societal processes that empower people to make informed decisions and engage in public life. CSD emphasizes research and engagement regarding how political and civic leaders, journalists, and everyday individuals sustain democratic life in Florida, the United States, and globally. For more information about the Center for Sustainable Democracy at USF, visit https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/centers/csd/.
About the Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida:
The Florida Institute of Government at USF serves governments and non-profit entities within a 9-county region to increase the effectiveness and quality of government in Florida through applied research, training, technical assistance programs, and public service. For more information about the Florida Institute of Government at USF, visit http://fiog.usf.edu.