Responses to a current Nottinghamshire County Council survey are the highest ever received with more than 7,000 being returned so far since it was launched on August 2.
But not all councillors agreed that the Big Notts Survey, designed to shape a future county council plan, was good value for money when the figures were revealed during a meeting of the policy committee.
Chairman Ben Bradley said: "I am pleased to be able to say that we are in a position where we have had the highest engagement that anyone can remember. There are responses from the survey and also from business and face-to face interviews.
"We have posted out to several hundred thousand residents and we have had a considerable response on social media."
His words were echoed by Conservative councillor Bruce Laughton, representing Muskham and Farnfield, who thanked members for "pushing" the survey.
He said: "We still have until September 19 for people to respond and we have also some parish and district council meetings planned for the following week.
"We are writing the county council's forward plan and looking at the results of the survey to make sure we are covering what the public have brought forward and dovetailing the two.
"The plan's strapline is 'A healthy, prosperous and greener Nottinghamshire for everyone" and I think it is important to be seen to be listening and we are listening to what people are telling us."
But independent councillor Jason Zadrozny, representing Ashfields, said he there was "an awful lot of back-slapping going on" and added: "I don't think it is deserved entirely as far as I am concerned.
"Looking at the figures, the £50,000 cost is roughly £8 a response and in the committee report it says it represents 'a strong appetite for residents to share their views on Nottinghamshire's future' and I don't think 0.7% is a strong appetite.
"I suggested previously using Ashfield District Council to circulate the survey as it previously had an 11,000 response - more than this so far in the entire county.
"A flyer went out across the county but it only had a link on it to the survey and not the survey, such a missed opportunity. It may be the best the county has ever done but its still not good enough."
Mr Bradley responded by saying there were always "things that could be better". He added: "Not very often as a county council we pull these things together and there are lessons at the end of it. There are still three weeks left" We are pleased with the repsonse so far."
Mr Laughton echoed his leader's words and said that it was a "learning exercise for everyone" and needed "fine-tuning".
The policy committee voted to support the vision of the council plan and to engage with partners in early autumn to get responses to be used alongside the Big Notts Survey. The survey can be accessed here.
