“Considering all of the great things that have been happening in Richmond in recent years, (a drop from 81 percent to 34 percent) is an astonishing acknowledgement that Richmond needs to focus on delivering basic services that government should provide,” he said.

Meanwhile, the mayor’s office played down the survey’s significance, noting year-over-year population increases and outside recognition.

“People are voting with their feet, moving into the city, growing the city’s population for the first time in decades,” Hawley said. “The accolades, which keep pouring in, all say the city is moving in the right direction; like recently being named one of hottest housing markets, a top place to visit in the world for food, and more.”

Councilwoman Kathy C. Graziano, who represents the city’s 4th District, said Jones has inherited many of the challenges reflected in the survey’s results.

“Certainly during this administration there have been services that have not been properly delivered,” she said, “but I feel that a lot of the dissatisfaction of citizens goes to our ailing, for lack of a better word, infrastructure, both in the city and in schools. And that’s a long-term problem that has not been dealt with for years.”