United States fiscal austerity and urban innovation project, 1983-1984

Mayors, city council finance committee chairs, and chief administrative officers/city managers in all U.S. cities with population over 25,000 were surveyed. Topics covered include the relative importance of professional as opposed to elected officials in fiscal management, and preferences for and implementation of changes in spending levels in 13 policy areas. Respondents also were queried about policy preferences, activities, and impact on city government of 20 groups (employees, business groups, etc.). In addition, questions were asked on city finance problems, fiscal management strategies the city had used, revenue forecasting, and more.