Noise control saw the biggest improvement, up from 68 per cent to 81 per cent followed by recycling waste materials which went from 69 per cent to 79 per cent.
Meanwhile residents were most concerned about the Rotorua Museum with satisfaction levels dropping to 59 per cent from 82 per cent and roads in the district down from 81 per cent to 61 per cent.
In previous years residents were also asked about the performance of the mayor and councillors but those questions did not form part of this year's survey.
Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers Association chairwoman Glenys Searancke said in her view it was important people were able to make some judgment on the performance of staff and council.
''I think it might be something to do with we won't ask the question because maybe it could be a downward turn from other years. I mean why didn't they ask the question that is the big question.''
It was a question of accountability, she said.
Grey Power Rotorua president Russell Hallam agreed and said he would presume any survey that ''is self reflective of any kind would include such a question''.
''There has been quite a lot of conversation around that topic in the survey in the past and it should have been included.''
Councillor Tania Tapsell was in favour of the performance question being removed as people could instead vote the mayor and councillors in or out in the local body election.
But her biggest issue revolved around the fact the survey was completed over landlines which were redundant and failed to reach a wide audience, she said.
Meanwhile councillor Trevor Maxwell said in the past NRB results "hardly get much feedback in the community, they probably look at it and then put it away''.
''I don't know if people really take it seriously, if they are happy with the council's performance, because how would they know? Other than just reading what is in the newspapers, or online, or on the radio or somewhere else like functions people attend.''
Mr Maxwell said some people had raised questions about the survey itself and whether it should continue.
Council acting chief executive Craig Tiriana did not specifically answer why the performance question had not been asked but said in a statement the survey was refined to reflect current performance measures.
''It is not a standalone document but forms part of annual reporting on non-financial performance measures and is one tool which has been chosen to measure performance against set targets.''
In regards to roading he said the council had an annual programme of works for local roads (about 1000km of road) and close to $10m had been allocated for local roads and footpaths for the 2017-18 including renewals, upgrades, sealing and improvements.
''Council is also working closely with the New Zealand Transport Agency on state highway improvements. The Transport Agency is investing millions in Rotorua over the next few years.''