Cities in Good Shape Fiscally.

• Position: Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

A recent study by the National League of Cities found that cities remain fiscally strong. Three out of four cities indicated that they were better able to meet financial needs in 1999 than in 1998, and six in 10 expect to do the same in the year 2000. Revenue growth in cities' general funds increased by 5.5 percent between 1997 and 1998, while general fund expenditures increased by only 4.7 percent. Growth in retail sales from 1993 to 1998 averaged 40.95 percent, while growth in the taxable property tax base of all cities increased 30 percent during the same time period. This is consistent with the finding that sales and income tax revenues increase at a faster rate than property tax revenues during robust...