Fall 2016

To what extent do you agree or disagree that some of your best engagement with citizens happens informally around the community (such as at the grocery store or in a restaurant, etc.)?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that you make opportunities for engagement available, but your citizens rarely take advantage of them?

To what extent do you feel your jurisdiction offers opportunities to citizens for engagement with your jurisdiction in its policymaking and/or operations?

How would you describe current levels of citizen engagement with your jurisdiction? Overall, would you say citizens in your jurisdiction are…

Some believe that more proactive monitoring of local government finances by the State could help avoid local fiscal emergencies through earlier detection and intervention. Others believe this may be unnecessary or even counterproductive. To what extent would you support or oppose more proactive State monitoring of finances for all local governments in Michigan?

To what extent would you support or oppose changing the Emergency Manager Law by making other changes?

To what extent, if any, would you say the State’s system of funding the local government has had a positive or negative impact on the relationship between the State and local governments in Michigan?

Thinking about communication between state and local officials specifically regarding State actions affecting your jurisdiction, in a typical 12-month period, how often does a state official contact your jurisdiction?

Thinking about communication between state and local officials specifically regarding State actions affecting your jurisdiction, in a typical 12-month period, how often do you or a representative of your jurisdiction contact state officials?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that state officials should frequently reach out to local officials to get feedback on pending policy changes?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that local officials should try to influence state policy issues affecting local governments?

How much of the time do you think you can trust other local governments to do what is right?

How much of the time do you think you can trust the state government in Lansing to do what is right?

How much of the time do you think you can trust the federal government in Washington to do what is right?

How much of the time do you think Michigan’s state officials trust local governments to do what is right?

How do you generally think authority should be divided between the state and local levels of government in economic development?

To what extent, if any, would you say the behavior of local officials (professionalism, ethics, etc.) has had a positive or negative impact on the relationship between the State and local governments in Michigan?

To what extent, if any, would you say the behavior of state officials (professionalism, ethics, etc.) has had a positive or negative impact on the relationship between the State and local governments in Michigan?

To what extent, if any, would you say term limits for state officials have had a positive or negative impact on the relationship between the State and local governments in Michigan?

To what extent, if any, would you say communication between state and local officials has had a positive or negative impact on the relationship between the State and local governments in Michigan?

Thinking about the relationship between the State government and local jurisdictions, overall, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the State unfairly treats some jurisdictions (or types of jurisdictions) better than others?

Thinking about the relationship between the State government and local jurisdictions, overall, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the State’s decision-making is transparent to local officials?

Thinking about the relationship between the State government and local jurisdictions, overall, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the State holds local governments to a higher standard than it holds itself to?

Thinking about the relationship between the State government and local jurisdictions, overall, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the State is taking too much decision-making authority away from local governments?

Now, how would you describe the overall relationship between the State government and other local jurisdictions overall?

To what extent do you support or oppose allowing local units in a financial emergency the choice between a consent agreement, Emergency Manager, mediation (e.g., with creditors), or bankruptcy proceedings?

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?

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 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 citizen opposition to millage or other revenue increases is as a factor in contributing to local government fiscal distress in Michigan?