UCI

Ratings of county government have declined sharply in the past year. Only three in 10 (29%) now think the county does an excellent or good job in solving county problems, down 11 points from 1999. Just over half (54%) think county government leaders pay a lot or some attention to what the people think in setting county policies, an 8 point decline from last year. Four in 10 (42%) believe the county wastes a lot of taxpayers' money, up 7 points from 1999. These numbers are similar to ratings seen in the post-bankruptcy years of 1996 and 1997.

County government receives somewhat higher job ratings in the North County, where 31% say it does an excellent or good job at solving county problems. In the South County, only 23% say the county government does an excellent or good job. There are no regional differences in ratings of county government's responsiveness or fiscal efficiency. The ratings given by registered voters are similar to those of all residents. Latinos are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to give positive ratings to county government.

Ratings of county leaders are affected by the El Toro Airport controversy. Among those who approve of the job county government has done in planning for the base conversion, 42% say county government has done an excellent or good job in solving county problems. Among those who disapprove of the job county leaders have done on the airport issue, only 21% give them high marks for solving county problems. However, both sides on the airport controversy are disapproving of county leaders -- only 31% of those in favor of an international airport at El Toro and 26% of those opposed say county government does an excellent or good job in solving local problems.