Spring 2017

The State of Michigan is requiring cities and townships to update their voting equipment by August 2018, and says it will provide funding to cover most — or all — of the up-front costs. Cities and townships will pay for any remaining cost beyond the State’s contribution, and for extended service and maintenance after 5 years. To what extent do you agree or disagree that new equipment will be worth new costs to your jurisdiction?

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

To what extent would you support or oppose allowing same-day voter registration (on Election Day) in Michigan?

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

Does your jurisdiction have any paid employees other than elected officials? If so, which of the following type(s)? (check all that apply) 

d. Seasonal

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

In your opinion, how much of a problem, if at all, is recruiting employees with needed skills for your jurisdiction’s government? (Among jurisdictions that have full-time, part-time, or seasonal employees)

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

Which of the following factors, if any, are contributing to your jurisdiction’s problems in recruiting and/or retaining employees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported that recruiting and/or retaining current employees was a problem)

b. Not providing competitive compensation

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding the jurisdiction's number of employees?

The Great Recession of 2008-09 forced many Michigan jurisdictions to cut the size of their workforce. Since then, hiring has rebounded in some places. How does the overall size of your jurisdiction’s workforce today compare to its size before the Great Recession? (Among jurisdictions that have full-time, part-time, seasonal, or temporary/irregular employees)

Now, thinking about the overall fiscal stress in your jurisdiction today and what you expect it to be down the road — including any future financial obligations it may have — on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is the best: perfect fiscal health and 10 is the worst: fiscal crisis, how would you rate your jurisdiction’s overall fiscal stress today?

How would you rate the way Rick Snyder is performing his job as Michigan’s governor?

To what extent, if any, would you say recruiting poll workers with necessary skills has or has not recently been a problem with election administration in your jurisdiction?

Now thinking about how the state government relates to your jurisdiction in particular, how would you, in your role as a local official, rate the way the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is performing their job overall?

Now thinking about how the state government relates to your jurisdiction in particular, how would you, in your role as a local official, rate the way the Attorney General is performing their job overall?

Overall, to what extent do you support or oppose the State’s initiative to have cities and townships update their voting equipment?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in your jurisdiction's amount of debt?

To what extent would you support or oppose stricter voter ID requirements in Michigan?

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 pay rate(s) for current employees to be too high, about right, or too low? (Among jurisdictions that have full-time, part-time, or seasonal employees)

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding charges for fees, licenses, etc.?

In your opinion, how much of a problem, if at all, is transfer of knowledge from departing employees for your jurisdiction’s government? (Among jurisdictions that have full-time, part-time, or seasonal employees)

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding funding for economic development programs?

Which of the following, if any, are reasons your jurisdiction is unlikely to develop a formal succession planning process? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported being unlikely to develop a formal succession planning process in the next 5 years) 

a. We don’t need a formal plan at this time

Thinking about the next fiscal year, which action has your jurisdiction taken or is likely to take regarding employees' share of contributions to retirement funds?

Do you think that your jurisdiction currently has an adequate size of workforce to deliver desired administration / management services? (Among jurisdictions that have full-time, part-time, seasonal, or temporary/irregular employees)

To what extent, if any, would you say long wait times for any voters have or have not recently been problems with election administration in your jurisdiction?

Now thinking about how the state government relates to your jurisdiction in particular, how would you, in your role as a local official, rate the way the Department of Treasury is performing their job overall?

Overall, how effective or ineffective would you say poll worker training by the County is for your jurisdiction?