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Frightening Charts Show Record Low Revenue, Worst-Ever Austerity Measures For US Cities

Gus Lubin

2010-10-06T15:41:00Z

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Municipal pain is at its worst level on record, according to annual report from the National League of Cities.

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Revenue is 3.2% lower than last year, which was already at record lows. It may get worse next year as property taxes decline to reflect fallen property values.

Cutbacks in government spending are also at record levels.

The fiscal bloodshed you hear about in Los Angeles and New York -- not to mention state governments -- is probably taking place in your home town.

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87% of cities are Less Able to meet fiscal needs compared to last year

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Source: National League Of Cities

Cities that depend on property tax suffer the most

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Source: National League Of Cities

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Western cities -- home to the largest property collapse -- are having the hardest time

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Source: National League Of Cities

Revenues have fallen for four straight years. Austerity really kicked in this year

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Source: National League Of Cities

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Property tax revenues posted the largest decline this year and last

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Source: National League Of Cities

Here are the details on factors influencing the budget.

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Source: National League Of Cities

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Here's the impact of those factors on the budget. ALMOST ALL NEGATIVE

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Source: National League Of Cities

And now the austerity measures: Personnel cuts, delayed projects and cuts in services lead the barrage

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Source: National League Of Cities

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Forms of personnel cuts include hiring freezes, reduced expense accounts, and salary freezes

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Source: National League Of Cities

Now here's how they're making up revenue: NEW TAXES AND FEES

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Source: National League Of Cities

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Cities CANNOT run over the budget -- unlike the federal government -- but they're coming close

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Source: National League Of Cities

Now meet some of the worst cities...

15 Mayors Who Must Shred The Budget To Save Their Bankrupt Cities >

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