Keith J. Evans: 2021 candidate for Hoffman Estates Park District board
Bio
City: Hoffman Estates
Age: 65
Occupation: Owner, Key Financial Insurance Agency Inc.
Civic involvement: HEParks commissioner, past board member of the Schaumburg Business Association, past board chair of the Hoffman Estates Chamber, past chair Hoffman United Soccer Club, past chair Boy Scout Troop 297, past treasurer MacArthur PTA
Q&A
Q. Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?
A. I have been active in HEParks for over 2 decades, serving as a sports coach, soccer board member, board community representative, and for 12 years, a volunteer/elected board commissioner. I have attended several state and national parks conferences, documenting every session. I have missed only a handful of committee and board meetings in the last 20+ years. With this cumulative involvement, I am the most experienced member of our board. Along with my business experience, I provide effective representation of the residents of our district, with insight and ideas other candidates do not have. I would like to continue to bring my activism and expertise to our residents for another 4 years.
Q. Did your park district continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to continue providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.
A. HEParks did an outstanding job of managing the pandemic, unfortunately, in many cases that meant shutting down programs and dismissing employees. The positive is that HEParks was able to control costs to such an extent that no (statutorily allowed) increase in tax levy was needed in 2021. We are adapting well to opening or expanding programs as the state slowly allows more activities.
Q. In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?
A. HEParks now has a tested blueprint of how best to react to future health crises. We previously had effective plans for business continuity caused by man-made and natural disasters, but not a virus pandemic. As the state provided guidelines, HEParks staff reacted quickly to comply with those restrictions. While not every health crises can be planned for, I am confident our staff has the skill, expertise, ingenuity and adaptability to respond.
Q. How has the pandemic affected the park district's offerings and use of facilities. Are there other ways the park board can fulfill the mission of a park district during these times?
A. HE Parks responded to each state guideline change to either expand or restrict all impacted programming. Some things simply could not operate in the pandemic environment (youth sports competition). Some programs were able to continue, albeit under strict guidelines (golf). Kudos to staff for taking advantage of the shutdown of one facility to complete planned renovations that would have disrupted members use of the facility (if there was no pandemic), costing more and taking longer. Instead, staff accelerated renovations while the facility was closed and was ready for members when health guidelines eased.
Q. How has the pandemic affected the park district's revenue? How has that been addressed on the expense side?
A. The park district lost about $4.7MM in program revenue but were able to appropriately cut a corresponding amount of costs $4.4MM, nearly offsetting the financial impact of the pandemic and preserving the strong reserves position of HEParks. Unfortunately, most of the cost-cutting had a real impact on employees of the district as many staff were dismissed as programs ceased to operate or operated on a much reduced level.