Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

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...

Now, regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction expects to have a budget deficit this year, in your opinion, what would be the preferred method for eliminating any potential deficit (if it had one) according to the following groups or individuals? Do you think that they would prefer to cut costs/services, increase taxes, use any savings your jurisdiction may have or increase debt (if legally allowable)? The majority of your jurisdiction's Board/Council would prefer to...

Now, regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction expects to have a budget deficit this year, in your opinion, what would be the preferred method for eliminating any potential deficit (if it had one) according to the following groups or individuals? Do you think that they would prefer to cut costs/services, increase taxes, use any savings your jurisdiction may have or increase debt (if legally allowable)? The majority of your jurisdiction's citizens would prefer to...

Now, regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction expects to have a budget deficit this year, in your opinion, what would be the preferred method for eliminating any potential deficit (if it had one) according to the following groups or individuals? Do you think that they would prefer to cut costs/services, increase taxes, use any savings your jurisdiction may have or increase debt (if legally allowable)? You personally in your role as a local official would prefer to...

A jurisdiction's "actuarially required contribution" (ARC) to its pension fund is based on the benefits earned by employees in the current year, plus an amount to reduce any unfunded liabilities for past years. Some jurisdictions pay their ARC in full each year. Others do not, and may just pay as they go for only that year's pension costs. Thinking specifically about defined benefit (i.e., traditional pensions) and/or hybrid plans, which of the following statements best describes your jurisdiction's contributions to its pension fund during its previous fiscal year?

To the best of your knowledge, are your jurisdiction's pension obligations currently fully funded? (Among those jurisdictions that reported having defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

Looking ahead, how concerned are you, if at all, that your jurisdiction will not be able to fulfill its pension obligations to its retirees? (Among those jurisdictions that reported having defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

To the best of your knowledge, are your jurisdiction's retiree health care obligations currently fully funded? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction's retiree health care obligations are currently fully funded, in your opinion, are these 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 that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Looking ahead, how concerned are you, if at all, that your jurisdiction will not be able to fulfill its health care benefit obligations to its retirees? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retiree health care benefits)

Thinking about 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?

Thinking about the financial needs of your jurisdiction, 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 the last fiscal year?

Thinking about the financial needs of 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?

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to your jurisdiction's amount of debt.

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to your jurisdiction's ability to repay its debt.

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to the amount of federal aid to your jurisdiction.

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to home foreclosures in your jurisdiction.

Comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to its previous fiscal year, please consider the ways the following items have changed. Indicate whether in your opinion there has been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year to the population of your jurisdiction.

Now, comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to the next fiscal year, please indicate which actions your jurisdiction has taken or is likely to take regarding reliance on general fund balance.

Now, comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to the next fiscal year, please indicate which actions your jurisdiction has taken or is likely to take regarding reliance on "rainy day" funds.

Now, comparing your jurisdiction's current fiscal year to the next fiscal year, please indicate which actions your jurisdiction has taken or is likely to take regarding the amount of debt.

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 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?