Local government leaders say most employees are not overpaid, though some benefits may be too generous

February 2011

To help inform the growing policy debate in Michigan on public sector pay and benefits, the MPPS asked Michigan's local government leaders what they think about their jurisdictions' employee compensation levels and policies. Only 6% of Michigan's local government leaders say their jurisdictions' employees are overpaid. On the other hand, among jurisdictions that provide fringe benefits to their employees, 27% of local leaders think the benefits are too generous, and 38% think their employees do not pay enough toward their own health care benefits. These percentages are significantly higher among the state's larger jurisdictions.