Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think economic decline is as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think rising costs to provide services are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think citizen opposition to millage or other revenue increases is as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think State decisions affecting local government (e.g., revenue sharing, Headlee / Proposal A, local revenue options, unfunded mandates, etc.) are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think local government corruption and/or mismanagement is as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

While any particular jurisdiction in fiscal distress faces unique challenges, in general, how important—if at all—do you think local government decisions to provide generous retiree pensions/benefits and/or decisions to underfund retiree obligations are as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?

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

Thinking about the financial needs of your jurisdiction, 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?

Thinking about the financial needs of your jurisdiction, 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 the ability of your jurisdiction 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 number of home foreclosures in your jurisdiction?

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

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

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

Different local jurisdictions manage their unreserved/unassigned 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/unassigned 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/unassigned 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?

Now, thinking about the overall fiscal stress in your jurisdiction today and what you expect it to be down the road — including any future financial obligations it may have — on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is the best: perfect fiscal health and 10 is the worst: fiscal crisis, how would you rate your jurisdiction’s overall fiscal stress as you expect it to be five years from now?

Thinking about the revenue caps facing your jurisdiction (for example, the Headlee Amendment, Proposal A, etc.), if the economy improves gradually over the coming years, do you agree or disagree that the current system of funding the local government will provide adequate funding to maintain the current quantity and quality of services your jurisdiction provides?

Thinking about the revenue caps facing your jurisdiction (for example, the Headlee Amendment, Proposal A, etc.), if the economy improves gradually over the coming years, do you agree or disagree that the current system of funding the local government will provide adequate funding to improve or add more services if they are necessary or desired?

Some people think the current system of funding local government in Michigan is broken and needs significant reform, while others disagree. What about you? Would you say you agree or disagree that the system of funding local government in Michigan is broken and needs significant reform?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by enabling regional tax-base sharing among local units?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by reforming tax increment financing/tax captures (e.g., DDAs, TIFs, LDFAs) to limit the impact on general government revenues?