Report highlights perspectives on democracy, fiscal health among Michigan administrators

Politically driven incidents over the last few years at all levels of government have fundamentally shaken public perception about the health of America’s democracy. Administrators have likewise been impacted. A new study from the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State and Urban Policy found that more than 60 percent of the state’s local leaders ranked democracy in the United States as a whole “poorly,” at four or below on a scale of 10.

“Only 10% of Michigan local officials currently rate the functioning of democracy at the federal level as relatively strong, at seven or above,” reads the report, the findings of which come from the annual 2022 Michigan Public Policy Survey of more than 1,800 local Michigan administrators, which was conducted this year between April 4 and June 6. “Among local leaders who currently give U.S. democracy a poor rating, 18% feel there is a total breakdown of democracy at the federal level (a rating of one).”

The findings on opinions of democracy, which were published last month, are consistent with the results of last year’s similar survey. This isn’t surprising, given what’s happened in the state in recent years in addition to national incidents like the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“Michigan has experienced many extraordinary political events recently, including a planned kidnapping of the governor, significant and hostile disputes at local school and government board meetings over COVID-19-related statewide restrictions and mask mandates, an election during the pandemic in 2020 and subsequent controversies surrounding its certification, and more,” the report says.

Other questions asked of respondents covered topics of fiscal health, and in that respect, Michigan’s local leaders reported near-term improvement and long-term concern. 

“Despite significant infusions of federal and state aid in recent years, Michigan local leaders’ assessments of their fiscal stress as of spring 2022 remain essentially unchanged compared to both 2021 and 2020,” reads a brief about those findings that was published this month. “Statewide, 65% of local leaders rate their governments’ fiscal stress as relatively low (a score of 4 or lower on the MPPS 10-point Fiscal Stress Index), while 7% say it is high (at 7 or higher).”

Larger communities reported the most significant improvement in fiscal health, while administrators from smaller cities in Michigan reported the most stress.

“Meanwhile, 25% of the state’s local governments currently report medium levels of fiscal stress (scores of 5 or 6 on the 10-point scale) and 7% report high levels of stress (scores of 7 or higher),” the report says.

Another notable finding in the latest report is that 61% of Michigan respondents reported increased property taxes in 2022. That represents the highest percentage since the Michigan Public Policy Survey began its tracking in 2009. 

Looking to the future, there’s some optimism among administrators about fiscal improvements next year. Most said they thought it would simply hold steady. And while many are confident their communities will be fiscally stable in the short term, there’s uncertainty about the long term.

“Even as local officials continue to report improvements in short-term fiscal health, 14% now predict they will have high fiscal stress in five years, compared to 7% who say they are experiencing it now,” the report continues.. Meanwhile, 55% expect low fiscal stress five years from now, down from 65% who say they have low stress today.”

For more information and to view the findings, visit the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State and Urban Policy’s website.