Bibliothèque de L'IMIST/CNRST

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 healthfinancial condition, trend analysis, and financial trend monitoring systemas 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.

Why Fiscal Health Matters; Fiscal Health Literature; Macro Trends Affecting Local Governments; Financing Trends and Options; Alternative Service Delivery Options; Tools for Analyzing Local Fiscal Health; Case Studies; Fiscal Effects of Local Government Boundary Adjustments; Practical Strategies for Local Fiscal Health; Conclusion.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.