Lawrence city commissioners are ready to spend as much as $36,000 to find out how “user friendly” city government is perceived to be.

Commissioners Tuesday night directed city staff to negotiate a contract with GRI Research of Lawrence for two surveys, one of city employees, the other of city residents and outsiders.

“I think we can use this to improve the quality of our services and to increase awareness of those services,” Commissioner David Dunfield said.

The surveys stem from the commission’s annual evaluation in January of City Manager Mike Wildgen’s job performance. Commissioners said at the time they wanted the surveys to help them gauge the friendliness issues.

Tuesday’s vote to proceed with the surveys was unanimous, but not before Commissioner Jim Henry put up some mild opposition.

“I’m struggling with the amount of money, especially in an austere budget year,” he said. “I’m not sure I’m ready to go ahead with this.”

Commissioner Mike Rundle said the results could be useful for years to come.

“The amount we’re talking about won’t make that big a dent in the overall budget picture,” Rundle said.

“Do we need an image survey?” Henry asked.

“Yes,” Mayor Sue Hack said.

“I hear people talking about what a great place Lawrence is to live,” Henry said.

Hack agreed, but said the survey also would look at how outsiders see Lawrence as a place to do business.

“I think the concern I have heard people say is there’s some folks who have difficulty in dealing with Lawrence as a community, maybe, from an economic development standpoint,” she said.

The commission gave no timeline for the survey or results.