Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy

The Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS)
Spring 2014 Data Tables

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Q28j. Some local governments adopt formal policies regarding financial planning and management, while others take a more informal approach. Below is a list of recommendations from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Thinking across your jurisdiction's various types of funds, generally speaking, please identify which of the following descriptions most closely represents your government's current policies or practices, if any, for balanced budget policy (commitment to a balanced budget and disclosure when deviations occur (beyond state requirements)).

Jurisdiction Type Crosstabulation
% within Jurisdiction Type
  Jurisdiction Type Total
County Township City Village
Thinking across your jurisdiction's various types of funds, generally speaking, please identify which of the following descriptions most closely represents your government's current policies or practices regarding balanced budget policy. Have a written policy, strictly followed 41% 18% 36% 21% 22%
Have a written policy, loosely followed 11% 5% 12% 10% 7%
Have no written policy, but follow specific practices 37% 50% 34% 47% 46%
Have no specific policies or practices 9% 16% 15% 13% 15%
Not Applicable 1% 4% 0% 4% 3%
Don't Know 1% 7% 4% 6% 6%

Population Size Crosstabulation
% within Population Size
  Population Size Total
<1500 1500-5000 5001-10000 10001-30000 >30000
Thinking across your jurisdiction's various types of funds, generally speaking, please identify which of the following descriptions most closely represents your government's current policies or practices regarding balanced budget policy. Have a written policy, strictly followed 17% 20% 25% 26% 53% 22%
Have a written policy, loosely followed 6% 7% 6% 10% 7% 7%
Have no written policy, but follow specific practices 48% 48% 48% 45% 27% 46%
Have no specific policies or practices 17% 15% 13% 15% 8% 15%
Not Applicable 5% 3% 2% 1% 1% 3%
Don't Know 7% 5% 5% 3% 3% 6%

Region of Michigan Crosstabulation
% within Region of Michigan
  Region of Michigan Total
Upper Peninsula Northern Lower Peninsula West Central Lower Peninsula East Central Lower Peninsula Southwest Lower Peninsula Southeast Lower Peninsula
Thinking across your jurisdiction's various types of funds, generally speaking, please identify which of the following descriptions most closely represents your government's current policies or practices regarding balanced budget policy. Have a written policy, strictly followed 25% 23% 19% 21% 16% 30% 22%
Have a written policy, loosely followed 7% 5% 9% 7% 7% 7% 7%
Have no written policy, but follow specific practices 46% 43% 48% 47% 47% 48% 46%
Have no specific policies or practices 14% 21% 15% 14% 19% 9% 15%
Not Applicable 3% 4% 3% 5% 3% 2% 3%
Don't Know 5% 4% 5% 7% 8% 5% 6%