Michigan Local Government Leaders Research Articles

Michigan Local Government Leaders’ Assessments of Democratic Functioning Improve From 2021 Low, but First Signs of Trouble at Local Level Emerge

Michigan Local Government Leaders’ Assessments of Democratic Functioning Improve From 2021 Low, but First Signs of Trouble at Local Level Emerge

Challenges Continue for State-Local Relations, According to Michigan Local Government Leaders

Challenges Continue for State-Local Relations, According to Michigan Local Government Leaders

Michigan Local Government Leaders Say Civic Relationships and Civil Discourse Remain Healthy, Despite Worsening National Politics

Michigan Local Government Leaders Say Civic Relationships and Civil Discourse Remain Healthy, Despite Worsening National Politics

Michigan Local Government Leaders Remain Confident about Their Election Security and Administration, though Concerns about Disinformation Increase

Michigan Local Government Leaders Remain Confident about Their Election Security and Administration, though Concerns about Disinformation Increase

A Survey of Michigan Local Government Leaders on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding and Uses

A Survey of Michigan Local Government Leaders on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding and Uses

COVID-19 pandemic sparks Michigan local leaders’ concerns for fiscal health

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ assessments of their jurisdictions’ fiscal conditions and the actions they plan to take in the coming year given their financial situations. The findings are based on responses from 12 statewide survey waves of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) conducted annually each spring from 2009 through 2020. The Spring 2020 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) was conducted between March 30 and June 1, 2020.

Mixed Signals Continue for Michigan Local Governments’ Fiscal Health, While Future Outlooks Worsen

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ assessments of their jurisdictions’ fiscal conditions and the actions they plan to take in the coming year given their financial situations. The findings are based on responses from 10 statewide survey waves of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) conducted annually each spring from 2009 through 2019.

Michigan Local Government Leaders’ Views on Medical and Recreational Marijuana

This report presents information from Michigan’s local government officials regarding the status of medical marijuana facilities in their jurisdictions as of spring 2018, as well as officials’ opinions on the impacts of medical marijuana on local communities. In addition, the report looks at local officials’ support for or opposition to legalizing recreational marijuana. These findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the Spring 2018 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).

Michigan Local Leaders Say Property Tax Appeals are Common, Disagree with 'Dark Stores' Assessing

The issue of property tax appeals has been increasingly important in Michigan recently as “big box” stores (e.g. Lowe’s, Costco, etc.) have been able to significantly decrease their taxes by arguing property assessments should be based on the value of vacant comparable buildings rather than on their “highest and best use.” This is known as “dark stores” assessing, which has resulted in significant cuts in property tax revenue for some local governments. This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ views on the impact of tax assessment appeals — for big box stores and other types of property — in their jurisdictions, including effects on local fiscal health. It also provides local leaders’ opinions on decisions made by the Michigan Tax Tribunal, including about “dark stores” appeals policies. These findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the Spring 2016 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).

Michigan Local Governments Report First Declines in Fiscal Health Trend Since 2010

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ assessments of their jurisdictions’ fiscal conditions and the actions they plan to take in the coming year given their financial situations. The findings are based on responses from eight statewide survey waves of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) conducted annually each spring from 2009 through 2016.

Emergency Medical Services in Michigan: Challenges and Approaches Among Local Governments

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ concerns regarding assessments of ambulance and emergency medical services in their jurisdiction, including how these services are provided and funded. The findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the Fall 2015 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).

Most Local Officials are Satisfied with Law Enforcement Services, But Almost Half from Largest Jurisdictions Say Their Funding is Insufficient

This report examines Michigan local government leaders’ opinions on law enforcement services in their community, including the perception of problems with crime in the community, satisfaction with law enforcement performance, and funding of law enforcement at the local level. The findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the Fall 2015 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).

Local Leaders Say Police-Community Relations are Good Throughout Michigan, But Those In Large Cities are Concerned About Potential Unrest Over Police Use-of-Force

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ assessments of police-community relations, concern over the potential for civil unrest, and the use of a range of law enforcement policies, practices, and equipment in their jurisdiction. The findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the Fall 2015 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).

Fiscal Health Rated Relatively Good for Most Jurisdictions, But Improvement Slows and Decline Continues for Many

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ assessments of their jurisdictions’ fiscal conditions and the actions they plan to take in the coming year given their financial situations. The findings are based on responses from seven statewide survey waves of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) conducted annually each spring from 2009 through 2015.

Few Michigan Jurisdictions Have Adopted Complete Streets Policies, Though Many See Potential Benefits

This report presents the opinions of Michigan local government leaders regarding “Complete Streets” policies, which encourage local governments to take into account all road users — including pedestrians, bicyclists and transit passengers of all ages and abilities, as well as trucks, buses and automobiles — during the planning, design, and construction of public streets. The findings in this report are based on a statewide survey of local government leaders in the Fall 2014 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS), including a supplementary survey of county road commissions and departments.

Michigan Local Leaders Have Positive Views on Relationships with County Road Agencies, Despite Some Concerns

This report presents the opinions of Michigan local government leaders and officials from the state’s county road agencies regarding the relationships between local governments and county road agencies, as well as local officials’ ratings of road agency performance and related issues. The findings in this report are based on a statewide survey of local government leaders and county road commissions and departments in the Fall 2014 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).

Wind Power as a Community Issue in Michigan

This report presents the opinions of Michigan local government leaders on issues related to wind energy. It looks at the prevalence of wind turbines in jurisdictions across the state, opinions about the benefits and drawbacks of wind energy, sources of support and opposition to local wind energy, and issues regarding local regulation of wind turbines. The findings in this report are based on a statewide survey of local government leaders in the Fall 2013 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).

Fracking as a Community Issue in Michigan

This report presents the opinions of Michigan local government leaders on issues in their communities related to the process of extracting natural gas through high-volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling of underground shale deposits, also known as “fracking.” The findings in this report are based on a statewide survey of local government leaders in the Fall 2013 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).

The Impact of Tax-Exempt Properties on Michigan Local Governments

Property tax revenues are one of the most important sources of funding for local governments in Michigan, but jurisdictions’ revenues are constrained in part because most have at least some properties that are exempt from taxes. This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ opinions regarding the presence and local impact of property tax exemptions in their communities. The findings in this report are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the Spring 2013 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).

Michigan's Local Leaders Generally Support Detroit Bankruptcy Filing Despite Some Concerns

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ opinions regarding issues surrounding municipal bankruptcies in general, as well as the city of Detroit’s bankruptcy specifically. The findings in this report are based on a statewide survey of local government leaders in the Fall 2013 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).