Mayor Neal Linnartz

New Braunfels is a special place not just because of our rivers and our history, but because of the people who call this city home. One of the most important responsibilities of city leadership is to listen carefully to those people and to make decisions that reflect our shared priorities and values. That’s why I want to personally encourage residents to take part in the upcoming National Community Survey.

In the coming days, thousands of New Braunfels households will receive an invitation by mail to participate in this scientific survey, which will also be open online to all residents beginning February 16th, 2026. Whether you’ve lived here your entire life or arrived more recently, your perspective matters, and this survey is one of the most effective ways for us to hear directly from you.

New Braunfels has participated in the National Community Survey six times since 2012, and each time it has provided valuable insight into how residents feel about city services, quality of life, public safety, economic health, transportation, and the overall direction of our community. These are not abstract questions. They are about the things that affect our daily lives: the roads we drive on, the parks our families enjoy, the responsiveness of city services, and the sense of safety and belonging we feel in our neighborhoods.

What makes this survey especially meaningful is how it is conducted. A random sample of households within the city limits is selected to ensure an accurate and unbiased snapshot of our community. The sample also reflects all six City Council districts so that voices from every part of New Braunfels are represented. This scientific approach allows us to rely on the results with confidence when making decisions that impact the entire city.

At the same time, the survey will also be open to all residents online, ensuring that anyone who wants to share their thoughts has the opportunity to do so. This combination of scientifically valid data paired with open community participation gives us both depth and breadth in understanding public opinion.

Another powerful benefit of the National Community Survey is the ability to track trends over time. By comparing results from previous years to today, we can see where we are making progress and where we need to do better. Just as importantly, the survey allows us to benchmark New Braunfels against other cities across the country. That context helps City Council and staff understand not only what residents are experiencing, but how our community compares nationally in key areas.

I want to be clear: This survey is not just a box-checking exercise. The results are reviewed carefully by City Council, city management, and staff, and they directly inform planning, budgeting, and policy decisions. Past survey feedback has helped guide investments in infrastructure, parks and recreation, public safety, and community programs. In fact, when the City’s Strategic Plan was adopted in 2024, City Council made sure to include measurable metrics from the National Community Survey in all five of the plan’s Strategic Priorities to ensure that the City is accomplishing the goals set out by the plan. That’s why it’s so important for residents to participate, and when they take the time to respond honestly, it strengthens our ability to govern effectively.

New Braunfels is growing and changing, and with that growth come both opportunities and challenges. We are working every day to balance preserving the character that makes this city unique with preparing for the future. That balance is best achieved when decisions are grounded in real, representative community feedback and not just assumptions.

I know everyone’s time is valuable, and life moves fast, but I truly believe that spending a few minutes completing this survey is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to contribute to the future of our city. It’s a chance to celebrate what we’re doing well, to speak up about areas that need attention, and to help set priorities for the years ahead.

If you receive a survey invitation in the mail, I strongly encourage you to participate. And even if you don’t, please consider taking part online once the survey opens on February 16th. All responses are due by March 2nd, 2026.

New Braunfels has always been strongest when we work together and listen to one another. This survey is a community conversation, and I hope you’ll be part of it.