Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

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?

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

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

Do you not anticipate that your jurisdiction will have property tax charge-backs from your county government in the current or upcoming fiscal year?

In your opinion, are potential property tax charge-backs to your jurisdiction a significant fiscal problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all? (Among those jurisdictions that reported anticipating property tax charge-backs in the current or upcoming fiscal year)

In your opinion, are your jurisdiction's retiree health care or other post-employment benefit obligations a significant fiscal 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 having fiscal obligations as a result of offering health care or other retirement benefits)

During the next twelve months, do you think that business conditions in your community will have good times or bad times financially?

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

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?

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

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

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, how have home foreclosures in your jurisdiction changed?

Thinking about next fiscal year, which actions will your jurisdiction likely take regarding its reliance on general fund balance?

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

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

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

How informed are citizens about jurisdiction's finances?

Does your jurisdiction have a policy regarding the required minimal level of its general balance or cash reserves?

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?

How do you feel about your jurisdiction's unreserved General Fund balance?

What size problems do retiree health care obligations pose to your jurisdiction's fiscal health?

Thinking about business conditions in your community, do you think that during the next 12 months your community will have good times financially, or bad times financially?

"Now, turning to business conditions in your community, do you think that during the next twelve months your community will have good times financially, or bad times financially?"

Compared to last year, would you say your government is less able or better able to meet its financial needs this year?