About six hundred locals were interviewed for the community satisfaction survey from 2011 to 2014, and just 11 per cent of those people said they would prefer to pay for more services.

Ballarat Residents and Ratepayers Association President Denis Bateman said the result was indicative of a deep-rooted dissatisfaction with the City of Ballarat's financial policy.

"People have been hit with hefty rate increases and a lot of that (money) is going on administration wages for council officers," said Mr Bateman, who estimated the council's staffing budget was at $50 million.

Mr Bateman said council staff was "far too top-heavy" and was hindering council from developing a good, fiscal budget.

Last financial year rates increased by 7.5 per cent while council's 2014/15 budget planned a 6.5 per cent rise.

These hikes also coincide with annual property valuation increases.

In 2013, 44 per cent of people questioned in the survey voted in favour of service cuts while that figure was lower, at 40 per cent, in 2012.

Mr Bateman said residents, who will be slugged with almost a 30 per cent rate increase by mid-2015, weren't seeing much for their money.

"They (council) put $8 million towards the Civic Hall without specifying what they wanted to do and nothing's been done," he said.

He said putting $17 million towards a new 50-metre indoor pool at the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre was "extraordinarily over the top" and could have been budgeted over three of four years.

Ratepayers, Mr Bateman said, were unfairly footing the bill for council's grandiose plans.

A conservative annual council bill would be about $2000, according to Mr Bateman.

"For families that are struggling to make ends meat that sort of bill puts pressure on," he said.

However, Mr Bateman said aside from the council's inflated payroll, there wasn't a glaring need for services.

"You could say you want footpaths repaired, we'd always like that, but you get what you pay for - lets be realistic," he said. 

Mayor John Philips said the City of Ballarat used the money very wisely, but understood ratepayers' concerns.

"The survey will help guide council to be able to communicate better with the community so we can tailor our services as best possible to suit everybody," Cr Philips said.