Board approves Polco for 2026 resident survey; results to be presented in June

The Woodlands Township board approved a contract on March 26 to hire Polco (Polco/Polko National Research Center, as presented) to conduct the township’s 2026 resident survey.

Leon Pearson, director of communications, told the board the survey is a biennial benchmark used to measure resident satisfaction and inform policy and budget decisions. He said the last survey (2024) yielded more than 1,400 completed responses from a randomized mailing and that staff plans to mail approximately 8,000 invitations in May to produce statistically controlled results. "It's very scientific and it's not self-selected," Pearson said.

Directors asked about outreach, response rates and alternative administration methods; staff explained the mailed invitation plus online response approach reduces self-selection bias and that Polco offers optional text messaging outreach. The board moved and approved the selection and authorized the CEO to execute the agreement as approved by legal counsel.

Staff plans to present survey results to the board in June.