As part of a study of the quality of life in northwestern Wisconsin, 1974 sample populations (N=150 residents per county) from each of 4 west central counties (Dunn, Clark, Eau Claire, and Polk) were presented with a list of public service programs and asked if they should be "expanded", "kept the same", or "cut back". Percentages on comparable items from a 1973 study in St. Croix County and from a 1974 study of leaders of 31 communities in the west central region were used for comparisons. The service list included programs for: teenagers; drug prevention/treatment; public housing; the aged; medical services/doctors; mental health; social services (welfare and food stamps); state and Federal highways; local streets/roads; public transportation; schools; vocational training; other adult education; university extension; library/bookmobile; art and music; police; water pollution control; areas for wildlife protection; public promotion of tourism. Results indicated: programs for special age groups, medical care, wildlife protection, and vocational training were priorities in all the counties; social services and tourism were the only programs which rated less allocations; the leaders were more in favor of expanded services, particularly economicall related programs, than the general public; the west central population was generally more satisfied with its services than the northwestern population. (JC)