Paying for Planning

This book chapter explores revenue options during times of fiscal stress and the responses local governments can act on. Localities must largely generate their own revenue, as some regions and cities with less population receive less intergovernmental transfers and must rely more on sales taxes and charges when property taxes are not enough. In periods of fiscal crisis, the foundation of the local government is to strengthen their economic base, be transparent, collaborate inter- and intra- governmentally, and to improve services with increases in rate.