Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

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 compelling the State to pay for “unfunded mandates” imposed on local governments?

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 increasing maximum allowable local millage rates?

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 Headlee Amendment to eliminate or limit millage rate roll-backs?

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 establishing automatic millage rate “roll-ups” (increases up to the maximum authorized millage rate when the tax base grows slower than inflation)?

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 Proposal A to allow more taxable value growth for individual properties?

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 restoring full statutory revenue sharing (i.e., reverse cuts that began in the early 2000s)?

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 adding services that are not currently taxed to the state sales tax base?

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 increasing rates on state taxes with revenue-sharing components (e.g., sales, gas)?

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 making other changes?

While many of these potential reforms may be important, we’re interested in the reforms you believe are most critical. Looking at the potential changes listed above in Q14 that you support, please identify which you feel are the top three priorities for how Michigan’s system of funding local government should be reformed. Top priority:

While many of these potential reforms may be important, we’re interested in the reforms you believe are most critical. Looking at the potential changes listed above in Q14 that you support, please identify which you feel are the top three priorities for how Michigan’s system of funding the local government should be reformed. Second priority:

While many of these potential reforms may be important, we’re interested in the reforms you believe are most critical. Looking at the potential changes listed above in Q14 that you support, please identify which you feel are the top three priorities for how Michigan’s system of funding the local government should be reformed. Third priority:

Please rate how well Michigan's state government is doing in carrying out its responsibility to ensure safe drinking water in your jurisdiction

Did any of these landowners appeal a Board of Review determination to the Michigan Tax Tribunal? (Among cities and townships that report having landowners for any class of real property appeal their tax assessments in the last two years)

Thinking about any appeals of a Board of Review determination to the Michigan Tax Tribunal in the last two years, did your jurisdiction respond to any appeal by stipulating/agreeing to the value(s) the landowner stated in their Michigan Tax Tribunal petition? (Among cities and townships that reported having landowners appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal)

Thinking about any appeals of a Board of Review determination to the Michigan Tax Tribunal in the last two years, did your jurisdiction respond to any appeal by stipulating/agreeing to an alternate taxable value with the landowner prior to the Tax Tribunal hearing? (Among cities and townships that reported having landowners appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal)

Thinking about any appeals of a Board of Review determination to the Michigan Tax Tribunal in the last two years, did your jurisdiction respond to any appeal by defending the assessment before the Tax Tribunal? (Among jurisdictions that reported having landowners appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal)

To what extent — if at all — did the cost of legal representation for the appeal impact your decision to stipulate rather than defend the original assessment before the Tax Tribunal? (Among cities and townships that stipulated/agreed to a value with the landowner)

Thinking about property tax appeals that have gone to the Michigan Tax Tribunal from your jurisdiction in the last two years, would you say you are generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the Tax Tribunal’s determination(s)? (Among cities and townships that defended an assessment before the Tax Tribunal)

Michigan's local jurisdictions currently have constraints on certain kinds of revenue growth (for example, the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A). Thinking about the revenue caps facing your jurisdiction, if the economy improves over the coming years, do you agree or disagree that the current system of funding local government will provide adequate funding to: maintain the current package of services your jurisdiction provides

Michigan's local jurisdictions currently have constraints on certain kinds of revenue growth (for example, the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A). Thinking about the revenue caps facing your jurisdiction, if the economy improves 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

Now we want to ask about one particular tax, the Personal Property Tax (PPT). Does your jurisdiction currently receive any revenue from the Personal Property Tax (PPT)?

Personal Property Tax (PPT) reform is a policy priority in Lansing, and we want to get your perspectives about the PPT overall. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following general statements about the PPT: The PPT is difficult to administer because it is too complex.

Personal Property Tax (PPT) reform is a policy priority in Lansing, and we want to get your perspectives about the PPT overall. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following general statements about the PPT: The revenue raised in my jurisdiction is not worth the costs to administer the PPT.

Personal Property Tax (PPT) reform is a policy priority in Lansing, and we want to get your perspectives about the PPT overall. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following general statements about the PPT: Overall, taxpayers in my jurisdiction accurately report their taxable value for the PPT.