Spring 2011

Governor Snyder is encouraging Michigan local governments to produce their own "dashboards." How likely is it that your jurisdiction will launch its own dashboard within the next 12 months? (Among those jurisdictions which did not report being completely unfamiliar with the state dashboard)

Looking forward to the next fiscal year, do you expect your jurisdiction to not completely eliminate any particular service?

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

Do you anticipate that your jurisdiction will have property tax charge-backs from your county government in the upcoming fiscal year?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the number of home foreclosures in your jurisdiction?

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's pay rate(s) for current employees to be too high, about right, or too low?

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

Does your jurisdiction offer any kind of retirement income benefits (defined benefit pensions, defined contribution plans, etc.) to current employees?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or likely to take regarding actual human services spending?

In your opinion, are your jurisdiction's pension obligations a significant problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all for your jurisdiction's fiscal health? (Among those jurisdictions which reported offering retirement income benefits and having fiscal obligations as a result of pensions)

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or likely to take regarding the amount of employee compensation?

Has your jurisdiction negotiated with unions to reduce benefits to address GASB 45? (Among those jurisdictions which reported having fiscal obligations as a result of offering health care or other retirement benefits)

Thinking about the last 12 months, how would you describe, overall, the relationship between your jurisdiction's union(s) and your jurisdiction's administration? (Among jurisdictions reporting union employees)

How would you rate the way the Michigan Legislature is performing its job?

In the next fiscal year, how likely is it that your jurisdiction will utilize early retirement incentives or buyouts?

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

In your current fiscal year, has your jurisdiction had to make any significant mid-year adjustments due to an inaccurate budget forecast?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in your jurisdiction's ability to repay its debt?

Does your jurisdiction have one or more special taxing authorities, such as a Downtown Development Authority (DDA), a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, or another similar authority?

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

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's fringe benefits package(s) for new hires to be too generous, about right, or not generous enough? (Among those jurisdictions that reported providing fringe benefits to new hires)

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

Does your jurisdiction offer employees and/or current retirees only a defined contribution plan (i.e., a 401K-type plan)? (Among those jurisdictions that reported providing retirement income benefits)

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or likely to take regarding privatizing or contracting out of services?

Does your jurisdiction offer any kind of health care or other retirement benefits to current retirees?

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or likely to take regarding retirees' share of premiums, deductibles and/or co-pays on health insurance?

Has your jurisdiction increased the years of service required to receive retirement benefits? (Among those jurisdictions which reported having fiscal obligations as a result of offering health care or other retirement benefits)

In the current fiscal year, did your jurisdiction utilize early retirement incentives or buyouts?

In your opinion, on a scale of 1 to 10, how likely is it that your government will have an emergency financial manager appointed by the state within the next 12 months? (Among those jurisdictions which did not report being completely unfamiliar with the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act)

In your current fiscal year, did your jurisdiction completely eliminate any service(s) that is no longer provided at all?