Resident Trust & Accountability in Local Government

Welcome to this survey about your experiences with local government. This survey is conducted to understand how residents view the trust, fairness, transparency, and accountability of local public services. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you may stop at any time. There are no right or wrong answers — we are interested in your honest opinions. All responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate. The survey takes approximately 12 minutes to complete. By continuing, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and consent to participate.

Do you currently live in the city, town, or county this survey is about?

• Yes
• No

In the past 12 months, have you interacted with any local public service (for example, permits, sanitation, schools, health clinics, public safety, or housing)?

• Yes
• No

Overall, how much do you trust your local government to do what is right for residents?

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement about your local government. "My local government treats all residents fairly, regardless of their background."

How transparent is your local government about how decisions are made and how public funds are spent?

Based on your responses in this survey, if you could change one thing to make local government fairer, more transparent, or more accountable, what would it be?

What is your age?

• 18–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 65 or older
• Prefer not to say

Thank you for completing this survey. Your responses are confidential and will be used in aggregate to help improve local public services. If you have questions about this study, please contact [research team email].

Thinking about your most recent interaction with a local public service, please indicate how much you agree or disagree: "I was treated with courtesy and respect."

How satisfied are you with the overall quality of services provided by your local government?

"Residents have a meaningful say in local government decisions."

In the past 6 months, which sources have you used to get information from your local government? Select all that apply.

• City/municipal website
• Social media (official government accounts)
• Local news outlets (TV, radio, newspaper)
• Community meetings or town halls
• 311/helpline or service app
• Email or text alerts/newsletters
• Friends, family, or neighbors
• Other (please specify)
• None — I have not sought information

Thank you for your responses so far. We'd like to explore a few of your thoughts in more depth. An AI moderator will ask you up to 2 short follow-up questions — please respond as openly as you like.

What is your gender?

• Woman
• Man
• Non-binary
• Prefer to self-describe
• Prefer not to say

"The process was straightforward and easy to follow."

What, if anything, most influences your level of trust in local government — whether positively or negatively? Please share any specific examples.

"Local officials listen to and care about residents' concerns."

From the list below, rank the three actions that would do the most to improve local government accountability (drag to reorder; 1 = most helpful).

1. Publish clear performance dashboards
2. Stronger independent audits and oversight
3. Simpler, faster complaint and appeals process
4. Publish detailed spending and contracts
5. More participatory budgeting and resident input
6. Open data on services and outcomes

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than high school
• High school or equivalent
• Some college / associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Postgraduate degree
• Prefer not to say

"I received a response within a reasonable time."

"Decision-making processes give all neighborhoods and communities equal attention."

How confident are you that local officials are held accountable when mistakes or misconduct occur?

Which best describes the area where you live?

• Urban center
• Suburban area
• Small town
• Rural area
• Prefer not to say

"I was treated fairly regardless of my background."

"The outcome or next steps were clearly explained to me."