New DuPage forest preserve director talks about the future

The arrival this week of new Executive Director Michael Hullihan isn't the only significant change at the DuPage County Forest Preserve District.

Hullihan spent his first week as on the job bidding farewell to dozens of the agency's most experienced employees.

A total of 49 district staff members decided to participate in an early retirement incentive program that the district approved last year.

Nineteen already have moved on, including former director Arnie Biondo. Monday will be last day of work for the remaining 30 employees.

"We're losing a lot of capability and a lot of talent," Hullihan said on Friday. Like a sports team that loses many veteran players, he said, the district will go through a rebuilding period.

Hullihan, who last served as Oak Brook's public works director, said his immediate goals include helping with that transition.

"We will train junior folks and let them step into a higher level of responsibility," he said.

While the loss of experienced employees creates some challenges, Hullihan said, it's also an opportunity.

For example, someone who is new to a position can provide a fresh perspective.

"Technology is changing," Hullihan said. "So the younger folks coming in and taking these positions have different tools to apply to the problems."

With the district working to fulfill its mission with fewer employees, Hullihan said staff members need to use different tools - technology in particular - to get the job done.

Meanwhile, forest preserve commissioners must make a final decision about how the district will pay for the early retirements.

As part of the program, eligible employees who are 50 and older with at least 20 years of service credit with the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund were able to buy up to five years of additional credit before retiring.

The program eventually is expected to save the district an estimated $2.5 million a year.

But to do the program, participating employees and the district both must contribute to pay for it.

It's estimated the district needs to pay about $8.5 million to have the 49 employees participate.

Instead of using property tax dollars, officials are recommending the district's contributions be financed through earned interest.

The district has a fund with more than $35 million in past interest earned from the roughly $220 million earmarked for potential environmental remediation at two now-closed landfills, Greene Valley near Naperville and Mallard Lake near Hanover Park.

If the district dips into the earned interest fund, Hullihan said money saved by offering the early retirements would be used to repay the fund.

"It will pay itself off in four years," Hullihan said.

In addition to the transition, the other priority for the district is to maintain its 60 preserves, which cover roughly 25,000 acres.

And because the amount of available land in DuPage is limited, the district will have to focus on acquiring properties that expand existing preserves.

"The lines bordering our areas are very, very long," Hullihan said. "There's a lot of opportunities for those incremental acquisitions."

When it comes to serving the public, Hullihan said the district is hoping to improve trail signs and make it easier for residents to enjoy the various preserves.

"I think it's going to be easier to access information," he said. "Our website is a great example. They can get schedules of activities throughout the district. They will be able to reserve facilities. They'll be able to apply for classes."

In the meantime, Hullihan is expected to bring stability to the district, which hasn't had a long-term director since Brent Manning retired in June 2012 after 8½ years at the helm. Biondo spent less than eight months on the job.

Forest preserve commissioners have given Hullihan a $165,000, one-year contract. He said he hopes to stay longer.

"It is kind of the capstone job of my career," the 60-year-old LaGrange resident said. "I want to enjoy this for quite some time."