Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS)

Thinking about your jurisdiction's last fiscal year, were general fund expenditures higher or lower than what they were projected to be in its originally adopted general fund budget?

Different local jurisdictions manage their unreserved general fund balances in different ways depending on their specific circumstances. Despite these differences, we're interested in tracking overall changes in these balances over time. Approximately what was your jurisdiction's unreserved/unassigned general fund balance as a percentage of general fund expenditures at the end of its last fiscal year?

Thinking about your jurisdiction's fiscal needs, overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's unreserved general fund balance to be too high, about right, or too low?

In your opinion, is your jurisdiction's cash flow and its ability to pay bills in a timely manner a significant fiscal problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all?

Thinking about the overall fiscal stress of 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?

Thinking about the overall fiscal stress of 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 as you expect it to be five years from now?

Regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction expects to have a budget surplus this year, in your opinion, what would be the highest priority for using any potential surplus (if it had one) according to the following groups or individuals? Do you think that they would prefer to spend the budget surplus on public services or infrastructure, save that money for future use, use it to pay down any debt your jurisdiction may have, or reduce taxes? The majority of your jurisdiction's Board/Council would prefer to...

Regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction expects to have a budget surplus this year, in your opinion, what would be the highest priority for using any potential surplus (if it had one) according to the following groups or individuals? Do you think that they would prefer to spend the budget surplus on public services or infrastructure, save that money for future use, use it to pay down any debt your jurisdiction may have, or reduce taxes? The majority of your jurisdiction's citizens would prefer to...

Regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction expects to have a budget surplus this year, in your opinion, what would be the highest priority for using any potential surplus (if it had one) according to the following groups or individuals? Do you think that they would prefer to spend the budget surplus on public services or infrastructure, save that money for future use, use it to pay down any debt your jurisdiction may have, or reduce taxes? You personally in your role as a local official would prefer to...

Thinking about different types of land uses, which of the following, if any, have been a topic of discussion within your jurisdiction's government, including discussion at Board/Council meetings? (check all that apply) (Among jurisdictions that do not have any Master Plan)

Overall, to what extent would you say you are confident in the ability of your jurisdiction to administer an accurate election?

Overall, to what extent would you say you are confident in the ability of the County Clerk’s office to administer an accurate recount, if needed?

Thinking first about your jurisdiction’s current governing body (i.e., the County Commission, City Council or Commission, Village Council, or Township Board), how would you rate its effectiveness in performance overall?

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?

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 significantly improve election administration in your jurisdiction?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that your jurisdiction's governing board feels there is no need for land use planning in your jurisdiction? (Among cities, townships, and villages which do not have any Master Plan)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that your jurisdiction's governing board believes it is not the government’s place to tell landowners how to use their property? (Among cities, townships, and villages which do not have any Master Plan)

o what extent do you agree or disagree that developing a Master Plan is too expensive for your jurisdiction? (Among cities, townships, and villages which do not have any Master Plan)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that developing a Master Plan is too time-consuming for your jurisdiction? (Among cities, townships, and villages which do not have any Master Plan)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that your jurisdiction lacks the necessary expertise to develop a Master Plan? (Among cities, townships, and villages which do not have any Master Plan)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that your jurisdiction lacks sufficient volunteers for a local planning commission? (Among cities, townships, and villages which do not have any Master Plan)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that your jurisdiction's governing board feels it should be up to a higher level of government (i.e., the County or the State) to set land-use policies? (Among cities, townships, and villages which do not have any Master Plan)

Looking ahead, how likely is it that your jurisdiction will adopt a Master Plan that addresses land use in the next few years? (Among jurisdictions that do not have any Master Plan)

In your opinion, has your jurisdiction experienced any significant problems because it does not have a Master Plan? (Among jurisdictions that do not have any Master Plan)

Thinking about different types of land uses, which of the following, if any, have been a topic of discussion within your jurisdiction's government, including discussion at Board/Council meetings? (check all that apply) (Among jurisdictions that do not have any Master Plan)

Overall, how effective or ineffective would you say continuing election-related education for clerks by the State is for your jurisdiction?

Thinking about different types of land uses, which of the following, if any, have been a topic of discussion within your jurisdiction's government, including discussion at Board/Council meetings? (check all that apply) (Among jurisdictions that do not have any Master Plan)

Thinking about different types of land uses, which of the following, if any, have been a topic of discussion within your jurisdiction's government, including discussion at Board/Council meetings? (check all that apply) (Among jurisdictions that do not have any Master Plan)

Thinking about different types of land uses, which of the following, if any, have been a topic of discussion within your jurisdiction's government, including discussion at Board/Council meetings? (check all that apply) (Among jurisdictions that do not have any Master Plan)

Thinking about different types of land uses, which of the following, if any, have been a topic of discussion within your jurisdiction's government, including discussion at Board/Council meetings? (check all that apply) (Among jurisdictions that do not have any Master Plan)