The city will ask residents what they think of city services as part of its continuing effort to change the way it budgets.

Mayor Chris Beutler announced Thursday a new satisfaction survey as part of his "Taking Charge" initiative.

A scientific phone survey of about 600 randomly selected residents is scheduled to begin the first week of December. That will be followed by an online survey at lincoln.ne.gov.

The city also will invite private and nonprofit sector representatives to participate in a series of "City Stat" meetings to review data compiled on city performance.

Beutler said the efforts are the next steps in the implementation of outcome-based budgeting, a process that began in February 2008.

He said residents have played an important role in helping the city prioritize its services and he encourages them to complete the survey if called or to fill out the online version.

The city is again partnering with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, which also helped with the Priority Lincoln project and earlier "Taking Charge" efforts.

The survey will address a range of city services, including public safety, roads, health and sustainability.

Beutler said information from the meetings will help set a strategic plan for the 2010-2011 budget year.