Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

Next we want to focus on which particular elements of the system for funding local government in Michigan you think need to be reformed in some significant fashion. How important, if at all, do you believe it is to significantly reform: Personal Property Tax (PPT)

Next we want to focus on which particular elements of the system for funding local government in Michigan you think need to be reformed in some significant fashion. How important, if at all, do you believe it is to significantly reform: Sales tax

Next, we want to focus on which particular elements of the system for funding local government in Michigan you think need to be reformed in some significant fashion. How important, if at all, do you believe it is to significantly reform: Gas tax

Next we want to focus on which particular elements of the system for funding local government in Michigan you think need to be reformed in some significant fashion. How important, if at all, do you believe it is to significantly reform: Local income tax

Next we want to focus on which particular elements of the system for funding local government in Michigan you think need to be reformed in some significant fashion. How important, if at all, do you believe it is to significantly reform: Regional taxation

During the next twelve months, do you think your community will have good times financially, or bad times financially?

Would you say that your unit of government is less able or better able to meet its financial needs in this fiscal year compared to the last fiscal year?

Would you say that your unit of government is less able or better able to meet its financial needs in the next fiscal year compared to this fiscal year?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in your jurisdiction's amount of debt?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in your jurisdiction's ability to repay its debt?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the amount of federal aid to your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the population of your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the number of home foreclosures in your jurisdiction?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or likely to take regarding reliance on general fund balance?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or likely to take regarding reliance on "rainy day" funds?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or likely to take regarding the amount of debt?

In your current fiscal year, has your jurisdiction had to make any significant mid-year adjustments due to an inaccurate budget forecast?

Different local jurisdictions manage their unreserved general fund balances in different ways depending on their specific circumstances. Despite these differences, we're interested in tracking overall changes in these balances over time. Approximately what was your jurisdiction's unreserved general fund balance as a percentage of general fund expenditures at the end of its last fiscal year?

Thinking about your jurisdiction's fiscal needs, overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's unreserved general fund balance to be too high, about right, or too low?

In your opinion, is your jurisdiction's cash flow and its ability to pay bills in a timely manner a significant fiscal problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all?

Do you anticipate that your jurisdiction will have property tax charge-backs from your county government in the current fiscal year?

Do you anticipate that your jurisdiction will have property tax charge-backs from your county government in the upcoming fiscal year?

Do you not anticipate that your jurisdiction will have property tax charge-backs from your county government in the current or upcoming fiscal year?

In your opinion, are potential property tax charge-backs to your jurisdiction a significant fiscal problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all? (Among those jurisdictions that reported anticipating property tax charge-backs in the current or upcoming fiscal year)

In your opinion, are your jurisdiction's retiree health care or other post-employment benefit obligations a significant fiscal problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all for your jurisdiction's fiscal health? (Among those jurisdictions which reported having fiscal obligations as a result of offering health care or other retirement benefits)