Nearly 90 percent of 1,666 telephone participants said they were very or somewhat satisfied with Prince William government services, according to just-released 2008 Citizen Satisfaction Survey results.
"This is probably the most important question on the survey," said Thomas Guterbock, director of the Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia, during a presentation to supervisors Tuesday. "It came out well this year."
The actual percentage of participants giving this response was 89.4 percent; last year, that figure was 89.5 percent, Guterbock said.
The survey, a 361-page report available for review at the county's Web site, has been conducted each year since 1993. Two key points to note for this year: The telephone interviews were initiated in the same time frame as the county's implementation of its illegal immigration policy, a "volatile period," according to Supervisor John Jenkins, D-Neabsco. And, for the first time, surveyors contacted respondents' cellular phones, rather than residential landlines.
"You've changed the universe by adding in cell phones," said Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at large. "It's going to be difficult to compare this year's results with last year's."
Nonetheless, comparative results showed several key areas of perceived improvement on the part of the county between 2007 and 2008 -- as well as several areas of apparent downfalls.
More respondents this year said they were satisfied with the county's attention to various human services; to its handling of growth issues; and to the police department's fight against illegal drug use, to name a handful. At the same time, fewer 2008 respondents regarded with favor police attitudes and behaviors -- 8.6 percent less, according to the survey. Survey participants also gave lower scores this year for the county's handling of its elderly programs; prioritization of tax dollars; and medial rescue services.
Trust in the local government to do the right thing has dropped, also. This year, 58.6 percent of respondents said the county "does what's right most or nearly all of the time," with blacks giving the lowest collective rating, Guterbock said. In the years between 2003 and 2007, that percentage amount ranged from 60.2 percent to 64.1 percent.
Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.
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