The financial condition of local governments (villages, towns, townships, cities; fire, water, sewer, school districts; and counties) is of vital concern to all citizens, especially in these difficult financial times. Are you getting the most from your tax dollar? This book provides citizens, groups, and government employees with step-by-step guidance that goes far beyond bond ratings, to assess the short, medium, and long-term financial condition of local government. Written by the author of Local Government Budgeting in Georgia and We Only Pay the Bills (a study of Virginia's state and local debt), this is a must read for anyone concerned with local government financial condition. Whether you are thinking of your family's future, moving your business, or expanding an existing business, the information in this book will allow you to make a rational judgement, devoid of romance and hyperbole. What is 'non-debt debt' and how does it impact taxes? Is my government using one-shot fixes to cover long-term problems that will cost me in the future? This guide provides the methods and public sources of data needed to make an assessment.