Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

Citizens are often asked on opinion surveys how much trust they have in their government. Now we'd like to ask you, as a local official, about trust you have in your jurisdiction's citizens. In terms of their engagement in your jurisdiction's policymaking and/or operations, how much time do you think you can trust the citizens in your community to be responsible participants?

Would you say that most citizens who are engaged in your jurisdiction's policymaking processes are generally looking out only for themselves or that they want decisions made for the benefit of the community overall?

Thinking about controversial issues in your community, in general, who do you think should have the final say on your jurisdiction's most controversial decisions — citizens or public officials?

Overall, thinking about relationships between people in your community and the tone of discussions that take place around local policy issues, how would you describe the state of public discourse between public officials themselves within your jurisdiction?

Overall, thinking about relationships between people in your community and the tone of discussions that take place around local policy issues, how would you describe the state of public discourse between public officials and citizens within your jurisdiction?

Overall, thinking about relationships between people in your community and the tone of discussions that take place around local policy issues, how would you describe the state of public discourse between citizens themselves within your jurisdiction?

Thinking in general about how things have changed in your jurisdiction over the last ten years or so — if at all — are citizens more or less informed about your jurisdiction's work?

Thinking in general about how things have changed in your jurisdiction over the last ten years or so — if at all — are citizens more or less engaged in your jurisdiction's work?

Thinking in general about how things have changed in your jurisdiction over the last ten years or so — if at all — is political discourse about local issues more or less civil?

One way of thinking about the proper role for citizen engagement in local policymaking is along a spectrum. At one end, citizen engagement would focus only on keeping citizens informed about issues. At the other end, citizens would actually make decisions for the jurisdiction. In between would be increasing levels of citizen input in the decisions made by the jurisdiction. While it might differ depending on the topic, in general, what do you think the majority of your jurisdiction's Council/Board believe is the proper role for citizen engagement in local governance?

One way of thinking about the proper role for citizen engagement in local policymaking is along a spectrum. At one end, citizen engagement would focus only on keeping citizens informed about issues. At the other end, citizens would actually make decisions for the jurisdiction. In between would be increasing levels of citizen input in the decisions made by the jurisdiction. While it might differ depending on the topic, in general, what do you think the majority of your jurisdiction's employees believe is the proper role for citizen engagement in local governance?

One way of thinking about the proper role for citizen engagement in local policymaking is along a spectrum. At one end, citizen engagement would focus only on keeping citizens informed about issues. At the other end, citizens would actually make decisions for the jurisdiction. In between would be increasing levels of citizen input in the decisions made by the jurisdiction. While it might differ depending on the topic, in general, what do you think the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens believe is the proper role for citizen engagement in local governance?

One way of thinking about the proper role for citizen engagement in local policymaking is along a spectrum. At one end, citizen engagement would focus only on keeping citizens informed about issues. At the other end, citizens would actually make decisions for the jurisdiction. In between would be increasing levels of citizen input in the decisions made by the jurisdiction. While it might differ depending on the topic, in general, what do you personally believe is the proper role for citizen engagement in local governance?

Have any of your jurisdiction's personnel had formal training in promoting or managing citizen engagement?

Would access to information about best practices be valuable to help foster citizen engagement?

Would access to regional efforts or leadership be valuable to help foster citizen engagement?

Would access to training programs for jurisdiction personnel be valuable to help foster citizen engagement?

Would access to training programs for citizens/external stakeholders be valuable to help foster citizen engagement?

Would access to financial assistance for citizen engagement efforts be valuable to help foster citizen engagement?

Overall, how satisfied are you regarding citizen engagement in your jurisdiction's policymaking and/or operations today?

Overall, how satisfied do you believe your citizens are with their engagement in your jurisdiction's policymaking and/or operations today?

To what extent would you say your jurisdiction tries to engage its citizens through technology (possibly including things such as email, websites, cable TV broadcasts, social media, mobile phone apps, etc.)?

Does your jurisdiction have an official website?

Thinking about your jurisdiction's website, please indicate whether you agree or disagree that the information on your website is generally kept up-to-date. (Among jurisdictions that reported having an official website)

Thinking about your jurisdiction's website, please indicate whether you agree or disagree that your website makes it easy for citizens to find information they're looking for. (Among jurisdictions that reported having an official website)