DuPage forest preserve budget unchanged
The cost of running the DuPage County Forest Preserve District will drop slightly this year.
Officials say that's partially because of a February fire that gutted the Oak Meadows Golf Course clubhouse in Addison and resulted in the elimination of two full-time jobs and one part-time post.
With those cuts included, the district's operational costs are anticipated to be $39.2 million, compared to $39.4 million last year, finance officials said.
The forest preserve's fiscal year begins today. Commissioners approved the new budget Tuesday.
Commissioner Roger Kotecki cast the lone dissenting vote. He said his opposition is based on concerns about funding for the construction of a controversial fleet services building at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville.
Residents near the proposed $7.5 million building have complained the structure will be detrimental to the adjacent marsh and the increased traffic from forest preserve vehicles will damage the road and create safety hazards. They want the forest preserve to build the facility in an industrial area or investigate other potential sites.
Officials said they aren't disturbing any forest preserve land with the new building that will be 800 feet from the nearest residence. They contend the proposed location is best because it's centrally located among the district's properties. The majority of the district's land is on the county's west side.
The issue will be discussed when the forest preserve commission meets at 7 p.m. July 21.
Commissioners also saved money by cutting employee raises for the coming year. The original budget proposal included a 1 percent pool of raises for all departments that amounted to $185,000, but commissioners axed the raises because of the sluggish economy.
"We have to recognize the economic conditions that are out there and adjust to it," President Dewey Pierotti said. "The thing I'm most proud of is we've cut the tax rate and maintained the status quo on programs, even adding a few."
Commissioners were able to slightly lower the property tax rate for the new budget, but the district still will take in about $1 million more in property tax dollars this year.
Finance Director Carol Hoffman said property taxes make up the lion's share of the district's budgeted revenues. Revenues are projected at $68.8 million, with property taxes accounting for $23.4 million.
The district also anticipates $16.2 million from investments, $15.8 million from fund transfers and another $5.4 million from fees and permits, mostly related to golf operations.
The district also is relying on several grants to fund programs and some of its $20.5 million capital improvement budget. Other costs include debt service, Hoffman said.
Capital improvement spending includes trail projects at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien, Winfield Mounds Forest Preserve in Winfield and the West Branch Regional Trail. The district also is developing a summer camp for area low-income youngsters. Landscape restoration and wildlife recovery programs are continuing to receive funding.
Another capital initiative will add solar-powered hot water systems to five of the district's high-traffic buildings. The systems are budgeted for a total of between $84,000 and $97,000, but grants and state rebates could cover up to 55 percent of the costs, officials said.
Once installed, the systems would save on natural gas and electrical costs associated with heating water in restroom and other wash facilities.