Money, money, money. That is what local governments need to support their homeland security efforts, and this year, a majority are receiving it from the federal government.

To supplement federal government grants, a growing number of surveyed cities and counties are turning to their existing budgets to pay for homeland security costs, while dramatically fewer are increasing property taxes. When they spend money next year, the respondents are most interested in improving communications, protecting first responders from hazardous materials and controling access to public facilities. And most jurisdictions are continuing to build strong relationships with their neighbors to coordinate emergency response operations.

Those are among the findings of a survey conducted by Local Government Update, the weekly e-mail newsletter published by American City & County. Readers of Local Government Update were invited to participate in the survey, and 900 readers responded. Results of similar surveys were reported in the December 2003 and August 2002 issues of American City & County. This year's results were compiled by Tom Grant, marketing research manager for Primedia Business Magazines & Media.

Respondents represent cities and counties of all sizes, with populations ranging from fewer than 5,000 to more than 1 million. Of the total respondents, 60 percent work for cities, and 26 percent work for counties. The sample included administrators and elected officials, as well as personnel from law enforcement/emergency response, public works, transportation/transit, information technology and public health departments.

What is your jurisdiction's biggest homeland security problem?*

Funding is the biggest homeland security problem for almost 70 percent of cities and counties — 10 percentage points fewer than last year. The survey also revealed that, like last year, approximately one-third of local governments are concerned about technical interoperability. Conversely, lack of cooperation, either internally or externally, is not a major concern of respondents, and even less so than it was last year.

*Respondents could choose more than one option.

Has your jurisdiction received any federal homeland security funds in 2004? If so, how much money has your jurisdiction received? If not, have you been notified that you are going to receive funding?

A majority (56 percent) of local governments reported receiving federal homeland security funds this year, with an average amount of $259,165. Counties reported receiving an average of $334,118, and cities reported receiving an average of $210,000. Of jurisdictions with more than 250,000 residents, 28 percent reported receiving more than $1 million. Nearly half (49 percent) of communities with fewer than 10,000 residents reported receiving between $10,000 and $50,000. Of the 41 percent of respondents that did not receive federal homeland security funds in 2004, 9 percent have been notified that they will receive federal funding next year.

How will your local government pay for its portion of homeland security costs (i.e., that portion not covered by state and/or federal grants)?

Nearly half of all local government respondents (46 percent) plan to use money in their existing budgets to pay for homeland security costs not covered by state or federal grants. That is a dramatic increase from last year, when only 13 percent of local governments reported plans to use existing funds and instead favored raising property taxes (30 percent). This year, only 5 percent of respondents plan to raise property taxes to pay for homeland security. Additionally, 40 percent of respondents plan to use money in their general fund, compared to 8 percent last year.

Has your jurisdiction increased or decreased its spending on homeland security in the past year and by how much?

The majority of all respondents (70 percent) report no change in the amount of money spent on homeland security since last year. Of the 23 percent that increased spending, the average increase was $440,141. Of the 4 percent that decreased spending, the average decrease was $62,885. One-third of jurisdictions with more than 250,000 residents increased spending, at an average of $1,390,538.

Which of the following types of equipment will your community purchase to complete its homeland security goals?

Like last year, communications equipment and HAZMAT suits top the list of planned purchases for local government respondents. Most administrators and law enforcement respondents report that they plan to purchase communications equipment, but most public works respondents plan to purchase access control and surveillance devices. The percentage of law enforcement respondents that plan to purchase communications equipment has grown over the last three years (46 percent in 2002, 70 percent in 2003 and 80 percent in 2004). Conversely, the percentage of public works respondents planning to purchase the equipment has decreased by 26 percentage points over three years (73 percent in 2002, 52 percent in 2003 and 47 percent in 2004). Also, this year, fewer public works respondents (53 percent) report plans to purchase access control devices — such as fencing, metal detectors and access cards — than reported last year (71 percent).

What is the level of cooperation between your jurisdiction and neighboring communities regarding homeland security?

More than 75 percent of respondents rate the level of cooperation between their jurisdictions and neighboring communities as better than average. Among counties, 86 percent of respondents say cooperation levels are “good” to “excellent,” which is up 6 percentage points from last year and 5 percentage points from 2002. Most city respondents (74 percent) report “good” to “excellent” cooperation levels, which is up slightly from 71 percent in 2003 and 2002.