West Miami-Dade voters are satisfied with government services but disenchanted with the leaders who provide them, according to FIU pollster Dario Moreno.

Nearly 70 percent of people questioned in the recent survey of the county's western suburbs said services are satisfactory or excellent, with even higher marks for police and fire. But they are gloomy on the future, with only 27 percent saying things are heading in the right direction and 62 percent very or extremely concerned about their jobs and economic security. They also overwhelmingly oppose the county's plans to build a tunnel to the Port of Miami, a new ballpark for the Marlins, and a renovated bayfront park -- none of them even cracked 30 percent support.

The $16,000 poll was paid for with public funds from the office account of Commissioner Javier Souto, a bitter opponent of the downtown projects. It covered 842 likely voters in districts represented by Souto, Dennis Moss, Joe Martinez and José ''Pepe'' Diaz.

''Has anyone asked the people of Miami-Dade County what they think about all these deals?'' Souto asked.

Some polling experts said the wording might have skewed the results. For example, the ballpark question pointed out that public money would be used -- but did not clarify that the source would be tourist taxes, rather than property taxes. ''I would think that would make a big difference, to know whether the taxes are paid by them or someone else,'' said Michael Hagen, who conducts opinion polls for The Philadelphia Inquirer and is the director of the Institute for Public Affairs at Temple University. Moreno said there was no intent to skew responses. The poll results can be seen at MiamiHerald.com, click Today's Extras.

-- MATTHEW I. PINZUR

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