Spring 2016

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the amount of state aid to your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the amount of federal aid to your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in the ability of your jurisdiction to repay its debt?

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

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in revenue from fees for services, licenses, transfers, etc. for your jurisdiction?

Has there been a decrease, an increase, or no change from the previous fiscal year in revenue from property taxes for your jurisdiction?

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?

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?

Would the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens be more likely to choose higher taxes to avoid service cuts to parks/recreation/libraries or would they choose cuts to parks/recreation/libraries to avoid higher taxes?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by establishing automatic millage rate “roll-ups” (increases up to the maximum authorized millage rate when the tax base grows slower than inflation)?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by reforming Headlee Amendment to eliminate or limit millage rate roll-backs?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by increasing maximum allowable local millage rates?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by compelling the State to pay for “unfunded mandates” imposed on local governments?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by allowing local governments to raise revenues through local-option taxes (e.g., sales, gas, hotel taxes, etc.)?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by reforming tax increment financing/tax captures (e.g., DDAs, TIFs, LDFAs) to limit the impact on general government revenues?

Whether or not you think the current system is broken, to what extent would you support or oppose changing the system of funding local government in Michigan by enabling regional tax-base sharing among local units?

Some people think the current system of funding local government in Michigan is broken and needs significant reform, while others disagree. What about you? Would you say you agree or disagree that the system of funding local government in Michigan is broken and needs significant reform?

Thinking about the revenue caps facing your jurisdiction (for example, the Headlee Amendment, Proposal A, etc.), if the economy improves gradually over the coming years, do you agree or disagree that the current system of funding the local government will provide adequate funding to improve or add more services if they are necessary or desired?

Thinking about the revenue caps facing your jurisdiction (for example, the Headlee Amendment, Proposal A, etc.), if the economy improves gradually over the coming years, do you agree or disagree that the current system of funding the local government will provide adequate funding to maintain the current quantity and quality of services your jurisdiction provides?

Would the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens be more likely to choose higher taxes to avoid service cuts to general operations or would they choose cuts to general operations to avoid higher taxes?

Would the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens be more likely to choose higher taxes to avoid service cuts to utilities (water/sewer/lighting, etc.) or would they choose cuts to utilities to avoid higher taxes?

Would the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens be more likely to choose higher taxes to avoid service cuts to economic development or would they choose cuts to economic development to avoid higher taxes?

Would the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens be more likely to choose higher taxes to avoid service cuts to public transportation/transit or would they choose cuts to public transportation/transit to avoid higher taxes?

Would the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens be more likely to choose higher taxes to avoid service cuts to roads or would they choose cuts to roads to avoid higher taxes?

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

Would the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens be more likely to choose higher taxes to avoid service cuts to fire services or would they choose cuts to fire services to avoid higher taxes?

Would the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens be more likely to choose higher taxes to avoid service cuts to police services or would they choose cuts to police services to avoid higher taxes?

Thinking about any important aspects of service provision (such as the range of different types of services offered, the amount and quality of those services, etc.), overall, how satisfied would you say you personally in your role as a local official are with your jurisdiction’s current services?

Thinking about any important aspects of service provision (such as the range of different types of services offered, the amount and quality of those services, etc.), overall, how satisfied would you say the majority of your jurisdiction's Board/Council are with your jurisdiction’s current services?

Thinking about any important aspects of service provision (such as the range of different types of services offered, the amount and quality of those services, etc.), overall, how satisfied would you say the majority of your jurisdiction's citizens are with your jurisdiction’s current services?