Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

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)

How much do you believe the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has helped to improve economic conditions in your community to date?

How much do you believe the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has helped to improve economic conditions in your community in the long term?

How much do you believe the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has helped to improve economic conditions in the state of Michigan to date?

How much do you believe the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has helped to improve economic conditions in the state of Michigan in the long term?

During the next twelve months, do you think that business conditions in your community will have good times 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 last?

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

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how has revenue from property taxes changed?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how has revenue from fees for services, licenses, transfers, etc. changed?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how has the amount of federal aid to your jurisdiction changed?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how has the amount of state aid to your jurisdiction changed?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how have tax delinquencies changed?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how has the population of your jurisdiction changed?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how have home foreclosures in your jurisdiction changed?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how have public safety needs changed?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how have infrastructure needs changed?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how have human service needs changed?

Thinking about next fiscal year, which actions will your jurisdiction likely take regarding property tax rates?