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?

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?

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?