Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

Would you, in your role as a local official, support or oppose your jurisdiction pursuing additional local funding for law enforcement services through either a new millage or special assessment?

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?

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 today?

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?

During the next twelve months, do you expect good times or bad times for local economic conditions in your community? 

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 next fiscal year compared to this fiscal year?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in revenue from property taxes for your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in revenue from fees for services, licenses, transfers, etc.?

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 amount of federal aid to your jurisdiction?

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

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in public safety needs?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in infrastructure needs?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in human service needs?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in general government operations needs?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in cost of your jurisdiction’s employee pensions?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in cost of your jurisdiction’s current employee health benefits?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in cost of your jurisdiction’s retired employee health benefits?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding property tax rates?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding charges for fees, licenses, etc.?

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