University of Wisconsin’s Local Government Fiscal Health Study of 2007
In the summer of 2004 the University of Wisconsin undertook a survey of Wisconsin villages and cities to document the levels of fiscal health as well as the strategies employed by local officials to address fiscal stress. A total of 155 municipalities responded to the survey. Of those responding, 53.5 percent reported that their current revenue base is inadequate and more than 58 percent responded that their fiscal condition in five years will be inadequate. Some of the strategies most actively pursued in response to fiscal stress include the adoption or increase in user fees and charges, refinance outstanding debt and delaying capital expenditures. Strategies least likely to be pursued include increasing short-term debt and workforce reductions. For a copy of the study summary please see
The Fiscal Health of Wisconsin Cities and Villages and Policy Responses by Craig Maher and Steven Deller.
The intent of this survey is to update the 2004 survey and expanded its coverage by including county governments. For consistency the survey is identical to the 2004 instrument. We ask that you respond to each of the questions to the best of your ability. Once a survey for your county or municipality has been completed the survey will be “locked” to prevent multiple respondents from one county or municipality. We intend on making the survey results available through the Wisconsin League of Municipalities and the Wisconsin City/County Management Association.