The latest results from local officials polled as part of the Michigan Public Policy Survey show a great deal of concern with the requirements surrounding the new Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP).  Recall that the EVIP replaced the former statutory revenue sharing program. This poll and other work by the Michigan Public Policy Survey will be part of an education session at the Michigan Municipal League’s 2012 Capital Conference March 20-21. Learn more about the conference here.

The poll, taken during the fall of 2011, shows that only 10 percent of all local leaders think a dashboard would be very effective at improving their jurisdiction’s accountability and transparency, and that only 8 percent think a dashboard would be very effective at improving their local government’s overall performance.

The survey was done by the Ford School’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy. The poll, was sent to the top elected and appointed officials in all of the counties, cities, villages and townships in Michigan. A total of 1,330 jurisdictions returned valid surveys, resulting in a 72 percent response rate. The margin of error for the survey as a whole was 1.43 percentage points.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail