Crisis and Constraints in Municipal Finance: Local Fiscal Prospects in a Period of Uncertainty - Softcover

9780882850924: Crisis and Constraints in Municipal Finance: Local Fiscal Prospects in a Period of Uncertainty

Softcover

ISBN 10: 088285092X ISBN 13: 9780882850924

Publisher: Routledge, 1983

Throughout the United States, local governments are experiencing sustained and mounting financial difficulties. As fiscal pressures edge upward, cities find it difficult to make ends meet. And while the most acute financial hardships are felt by older, declining industrial complexes, the need to reduce spending, cut services, improve productivity, and increase locally-raised revenues has been recognized by a steadily growing number of municipalities across the country.Local governments have entered an age of austerity wherein traditional notions of budgeting and service provision have been brought into question. Elected officials and financial managers have begun rethinking the manner in which scarce resources are allocated; they have also given significant attention to the ways in which revenues are generated. Carr argues that we are now in a post-industrial society, moving from urban centers to suburban and non-metropolitan jurisdictions. As a result, we are moving from an economy benefitting from prolonged periods of vigor and lower interest rates to an economy characterized by extended periods of recession.Crisis and Constraint in Municipal Finance identifies eight principal areas of concern to budget makers and municipal managers. Beginning with ways to identify fiscal performance, this volume reviews cutback practices, budgeting principles, revenue raising strategies, alternative public service delivery systems and economic development initiatives. Also reviewed are the changing roles of the federal and state governments in local financial matters, as well as the fiscal prospects for local government finances in the coming years. This is an important work that addresses concerns of the economy and should be read by urban planners and economic advisors.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review

"A book to commend. . . refreshing."

-- "Urban Studies"

"The book is organized into seven sections dealing with municipal fiscal stress, local fiscal retrenchment, rethinking budgetary practices, innovative approaches to revenue raising, alternative public delivery systems, stimulation of the local economy, the new federalism and the cities, and future prospects for local government finance... As a reference for municipal administrators or those training in this field, however, the book is an excellent compilation. Moreover, it is written in non-technical language, providing good source material for the layman who wants to learn more about urban problems in the 1980s... The book is very much designed for the U.S. reader."

--Douglas McCready, Growth and Change

"A book to commend. . . refreshing."

-- "Urban Studies"

--Douglas McCready, Growth and Change

"A book to commend. . . refreshing."

-- Urban Studies

-The book is organized into seven sections dealing with municipal fiscal stress, local fiscal retrenchment, rethinking budgetary practices, innovative approaches to revenue raising, alternative public delivery systems, stimulation of the local economy, the new federalism and the cities, and future prospects for local government finance... As a reference for municipal administrators or those training in this field, however, the book is an excellent compilation. Moreover, it is written in non-technical language, providing good source material for the layman who wants to learn more about urban problems in the 1980s... The book is very much designed for the U.S. reader.-

--Douglas McCready, Growth and Change

-A book to commend. . . refreshing.-

-- Urban Studies

About the Author

James H. Carr is chief business officer for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition as well as visiting professor at Columbia University. In addition, he has served as international advisor on financial modernization and housing finance to many developing areas. His writings include Replicating Microfinance in the United States and Segregation: The Rising Costs for America.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.