Fiscal Health for Local Governments
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Table of contents
- Contentsiii
- Preface and Acknowledgmentsvii
- Forewordxi
- 1 Introduction and Overview1
- Scope of the Book and Audience2
- Factors Affecting Local Government Fiscal Health5
- The Fiscal Manager's Situation10
- A Fiscal Capacity Framework12
- Summary 112
- Discussion Questions 114
- References 115
- 2 Fiscal Health Literature: Drifts and Reflections17
- What Is Fiscal Health? A Look at the Terminology17
- Influences on Fiscal Health Revisited22
- Measuring Fiscal Health24
- What Governments Do About Fiscal Problems31
- Conclusion 233
- References 233
- 3 Macro Trends Affecting Local Governments39
- Demographic and Social Trends40
- Telecommunications Infrastructure, Technology, and the Global Economy46
- Institutional and Policy Fragmentation47
- Increased Problem Complexity50
- Increased Demand for Services52
- Increased Citizen, Group and Elected Official Activism53
- Increased Interest in Regional Issues54
- Looming Structural Budget Gaps55
- Conclusions 360
- Discussion Questions 360
- References 361
- 4 Financing Trends and Options65
- Fiscal Federalism66
- Size of Government68
- Local Response to the Macro Trends73
- Local Revenue Sources78
- Regional Sprawl and Local Finances81
- Intergovernmental Assistance83
- Gharging Patterns of State Assistance85
- Local Tax Options86
- Property Tax Revisions and Improved Administration89
- User Charges and Fees92
- Restructuring the System of Local Government94
- Public Authorities and Special Districts95
- Tax-Base Sharing96
- Transfer of Powers and Intergovernmental Agreements98
- Trends Interacting with Revenue Diversification99
- Conclusions 4100
- References 4101
- 5 Alternative Service Delivery Options107
- Types of ASD Options109
- Percieved Barriers to Intermunicipal Cooperation113
- Assessing ASD Options121
- Contracting Options125
- Subsidy/Fees Options125
- Analysis of Current Operations127
- Cost Comparisons128
- Outsourcing Principles129
- Principles of Successful Contracting130
- Contract Preparation and Negotiation133
- Conclusion 5135
- Discussion Questions 5136
- References 5136
- 6 Tools for Analyzing Local Fiscal Health139
- Tool #1: Ten-Point Test of Fiscal Condition140
- Tool #2: Fiscal Capacity Analysis151
- Tool #3: The Financial Trend Monitoring System160
- Conclusion 6170
- Discussion Questions 6170
- References 6171
- Appendix A: Adjusting for Inflation173
- 7 Analysis and Interpretation177
- Case Study 1: Glendon County178
- Case Study II: Sharpelle County183
- Case Study III: The City of Meirwood187
- Discussion Questions 7192
- 8 Fiscal Effects of Local Government Boundary Adjustments195
- Mixed Lessons from Experience195
- A General Framework197
- A Case Example199
- The Prediction201
- Intergovernmental AId Impact201
- Impact of Consolidation on Debt Burden203
- Property Tax Impact204
- Impact on North Branch Area School District205
- Impact on Costs Associated with Detachment and Annexation206
- Impact of Consolidation on Local Service Costs206
- Impacts on Farmers209
- The Reality210
- Intergovernmental Aid Impact210
- Debt Burden212
- Property Tax Impact212
- Expenditures Since Consolidation213
- Staffing Changes214
- Summary and Conclusions of the Case Study214
- General Considerations216
- Discussion Questions 8217
- References 8217
- 9 Practical Strategies for Local Fiscal Health219
- Be More Efficient228
- Expand the Tax Base229
- Reduce the Demand for Services231
- Shift Costs to Nonresidents232
- Secure New Sources of Revenue233
- Increase Spending Flexibility234
- Improve Management of Existing Resources235
- Diversify Revenue Sources236
- Summary and Conclusion 9237
- Discussion Questions 9238
- References 9239
- 10 Conclusion241
- References 10251
- About The Authors253
- Index257
This examination of the fiscal health of local governments offers a "how-to" approach to identifying and solving financial problems. It will serve as a primer for readers interested in understanding financial processes and alternatives, and as a practical guide for those who need access to fiscal measurement tools. Its principal selling point lies in its assumptions: instead of using the vocabulary and research agendas of economists (such as Musgrave, Fisher), finance scholars (Ladd/Yinger) and political scientists (Peterson/Strachota), it will appeal to readers who lack sophisticated knowledge in these areas and nevertheless need practical advice.
The book stems from the "Fiscal Health Education Program," an applied economics program at the University of Minnesota. It uses three measures of fiscal health—financial condition, trend analysis, and financial trend monitoring system—as the basis for advocating particular fiscal strategies. The book examines the tools that can be used to assess the condition of a local government's fiscal health and some of the policy causes or remedies for certain situations, as well as some of the strategies governments can pursue to maintain and improve health.
*How-to approach will appeal to readers who lack sophisticated knowledge
* Contains discussion questions and anonymous case studies of actual cities and municipalities
* Presents practical methods for identifying and solving common fiscal problems
The book stems from the "Fiscal Health Education Program," an applied economics program at the University of Minnesota. It uses three measures of fiscal health—financial condition, trend analysis, and financial trend monitoring system—as the basis for advocating particular fiscal strategies. The book examines the tools that can be used to assess the condition of a local government's fiscal health and some of the policy causes or remedies for certain situations, as well as some of the strategies governments can pursue to maintain and improve health.
*How-to approach will appeal to readers who lack sophisticated knowledge
* Contains discussion questions and anonymous case studies of actual cities and municipalities
* Presents practical methods for identifying and solving common fiscal problems