2019 City Fiscal Conditions: Gilmartin pleas for ‘a better way’
Dan Gilmartin, executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, spoke about the state of Midwest economies at the 2019 City Fiscal Conditions panel and report launch in Washington D.C. on October 28.
Report findings show the Midwest is bearing the brunt of declining conditions. Also, overall general fund revenues in midwestern cities dipped by 4.4% in the 2018 fiscal year.
During the panel discussion, Gilmartin explained that many Midwest economies are not keeping pace with the rest of the country in part because many are struggling to keep up with globalization.
“We see people and jobs and entire industries going to places that are providing things in the way of amenities for people,” Gilmartin said. “So if our state governments and, to some degree, our federal government aren’t going to join with local units and actually invest in these places, it’s not going to be a great outcome. We’ve got to figure out a better way to do that.”
The report is proof that the real drivers of economic prosperity – Michigan communities – are not able to thrive with the state’s broken municipal finance system. Because of the broken system, Michiganders are not given the opportunity to create great places that attract business and talent.
According to the report, almost two in three large city finance officers say they believe an economic downturn will occur as soon as 2020. Cities across Michigan and the country are anticipating revenue to decline as rising concerns over trade, weakening economic indicators and increasing spending pressures are negatively impacting city budgets.
The Michigan Municipal League sponsors the SaveMICity program and is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities.
Visit nlc.org for the full 2019 City Fiscal Conditions report.