The fiscal health of local governments is important. Above all,
it is an indication of the ability of local governments to provide
adequate, uninterrupted services to their constituents. Thus, fiscal
health may not be the ultimate measure of success for local
governments. But without a healthy financial condition, the
level and quality of public services will suffer. In the words of
one noted authority on financial management, “While people
want results from government, it takes money to make them
happen”.