Spring 2010

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?

Thinking about other post-employment benefits, has your jurisdiction negotiated with unions to change benefits?

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

[for jurisdictions who report they do currently engage in economic gardening] In terms of supporting existing businesses in your community, has your jurisdiction developed traditional infrastructure?

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

Do you agree that economic gardening can be effective?

Thinking about next fiscal year, which actions will your jurisdiction likely take regarding the amount of debt?

Do you believe the ARRA has helped community conditions to date?

Thinking about next fiscal year, which actions will your jurisdiction likely take regarding employees' share of health benefits?

In your current fiscal year, did your jurisdiction eliminate any services that are now provided by another entity?

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?

Does your jurisdiction provide a high-deductible health insurance plan to active employees?

What type of benefit plan does your jurisdiction offer employees?

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

Thinking about other post-employment benefits, has your jurisdiction increased the years of service required to receive retirement benefits?

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

[for jurisdictions who report they do currently engage in economic gardening] In terms of supporting existing businesses in your community, has your jurisdiction helped local businesses with social networking online?

Thinking about next fiscal year, which actions will your jurisdiction likely take regarding its reliance on rainy day funds?

Under this proposal, if your jurisdiction had the authority to raise additional taxes, how likely would it be to introduce or expand a local income tax?

Thinking about next fiscal year, which actions will your jurisdiction likely take regarding the number of interlocal agreements or cost sharing plans?

Do you believe the ARRA will improve state conditions in the long term?

During the current fiscal year, did your jurisdiction utilize employee furloughs?

What type of budgeting does your jurisdiction do?

How do you feel about current employee fringe benefits?

Thinking about other post-employment benefits, is your jurisdiction in the process of or has it completed an actuarial study to determine/quantify liability?

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

Is your jurisdiction engaged in economic gardening?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how has the cost of current employee health benefits changed?

[for jurisdictions who report they do currently engage in economic gardening] In terms of supporting existing businesses in your community, has your jurisdiction granted tax abatements or deferments?

Thinking about next fiscal year, which actions will your jurisdiction likely take regarding actual infrastructure spending?