Forest Preserves of Cook County 2016 budget up less than 2 percent

Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners last week approved a $3.5 million increase in the operating budget for 2016 to $65.6 million.

The operating budget is balanced without raising homeowners' property taxes, without increases to fees or fines, and without a transfer from reserve funds, county officials said. The increase is mostly to pay for anticipated cost of living increases under collective bargaining agreements and salary resolutions.

The budget includes $14.9 million for operations of Brookfield Zoo and $9.3 million for the Chicago Botanic Garden, figures similar to this year's funding level. It also includes a transfer of $8.2 million from reserve funds to the Capital Improvement Fund, with $6 million to restore the preserves to ecological health and $2 million to renovate deteriorated facilities and make life-safety and accessibility improvements.

The budget includes a request for a total appropriation authority of $190.2 million - an increase of less than 2 percent compared to 2015. It includes no new full time employees, but four more part-time and/or seasonal employees.

More information is at fpdcc.com.