Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) Spring 2014, Question 28g

Government's current policies/practices for general fund balances

Full Question Text

Some local governments adopt formal policies regarding financial planning and management, while others take a more informal approach. Below is a list of recommendations from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Thinking across your jurisdiction's various types of funds, generally speaking, please identify which of the following descriptions most closely represents your government's current policies or practices, if any, for general fund balances (policy(s) that specify the level of unrestricted fund balance that should be maintained in the general fund).

Jurisdiction Type Crosstabulation
% within Jurisdiction Type
  Jurisdiction Type Total
County Township City Village
Thinking across your jurisdiction's various types of funds, generally speaking, please identify which of the following descriptions most closely represents your government's current policies or practices regarding general fund balances. Have a written policy, strictly followed 31% 11% 28% 13% 15%
Have a written policy, loosely followed 14% 4% 12% 11% 6%
Have no written policy, but follow specific practices 40% 45% 47% 43% 45%
Have no specific policies or practices 13% 29% 11% 21% 24%
Not Applicable 0% 3% 0% 4% 2%
Don't Know 1% 8% 3% 9% 7%