New York, NY, United States (AHN) – Nearly 70 percent of American mayors are cutting back on road maintenance and projects as a result of the prolonged economic downturn, based on a new Harris Interactive survey commissioned by Reader’s Digest.
The survey found road services to be the most cited way for local governments to reduce costs. As cutbacks are occurring in every corner of local government, the impacts are affecting not only core city services but the quality of life of citizens.
“This Harris poll confirms that despite all the talk of economic recovery our towns and cities are still hurting,” commented Dan Lagani, president of Reader’s Digest Media.
Recent data suggests nearly two in every five cities have reduced police or fire department staff or services as a result of the struggling economy. Another 40 percent are cutting library service while nearly a quarter have drastically slashed after-school and extracurricular programs for kids.
Despite exhibiting cautious optimism for the long-term financial health of their communities, the survey found, three out of four city leaders said they expect financial challenges to worsen in the coming year, and 39 percent said the worsening will be substantial:
- Some of the primary areas local legislators have already cut back include:
- Reduced maintenance and services at parks and gardens (41 percent)
- Reduced hours, staff or services at local libraries (39 percent)
- Reduced hours or closing of recreational facilities (30 percent)
- Cancellation of town-sponsored festivals and events (28 percent)
- Reduced/cancelled after-school programs targeting kids (22 percent).
Should the economic downturn continue, municipalities said they will be affected in several key ways, among them:
- Reducing maintenance and/or canceling road, highway, or bridge projects (69 percent)
- Canceling or delaying planned building projects (63 percent)
- Cutting services and/or staff in police and fire departments (41 percent).
Despite the budget constraints, the mayors were resisting cutting back on services that have an immediate impact on residents. Only 9 percent said they have reduced public transit service; just 6 percent have reduced assistance to needy citizens; and only 2 percent say they have cut services or staff in city-run hospitals.
Mayors noted that both citizens and city employees were rising to the challenges of keeping their communities strong. Among the actions being taken, according to mayors:
- 63 percent said city workers were accepting early retirement or reduced overtime
- 41 percent said volunteerism were increasing in their city
- 30 percent said there were increased town-hall meetings to discuss needed changes and cutbacks
- 22 percent said the city had received private financial donations to help offset service cutbacks.
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