Will County Board Forest Preserve District Finance Committee met Sept. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
A. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by Chair Richmond at 9:37 AM
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Winfrey led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Judy Ogalla | District 2 (R - Monee) | Present | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | District 6 (D - Joliet) | Present | |
| Annette Parker | Vice President | Present | |
| Meta Mueller | President | Present | |
| Sherry Newquist | Treasurer | Present | |
| Sherry Williams | District 5 (D - Crest Hill) | Present | |
| Raquel M. Mitchell | Secretary | Present | |
| Daniel J. Butler | District 3 (R - Frankfort) | Present | |
| Jim Richmond | Chair | Present | |
| Vince Logan | District 7 (R - Joliet) | Present | |
| Mark Revis | District 8 (R - Plainfield) | Absent | |
| Destinee Ortiz | District 9 (D - Romeoville) | Absent | |
| Elnalyn Costa | Vice Chair | Present | |
| Ralph Schultz | Executive Director | Present | |
| Bryan Kopman | Attorney | Present | |
| Tracy Chapman | Deputy Director | Present | |
| Lisa Lukasevich | Director of Finance | Present | |
| Andrew Hawkins | Director of Conservation | Present | |
| Cindy Cain | Public Information Officer | Present |
D. SCHEDULE OF BILLS - $812,944.65
1. Schedule of Bills
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
MOVER: Elnalyn Costa, Vice Chair SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 6 (D - Joliet) AYES: Ogalla, Winfrey, Williams, Butler, Richmond, Logan, Costa ABSENT: Revis, Ortiz NOT VOTING: Parker, Mueller, Newquist, Mitchell |
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of August 3, 2023
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
MOVER: Vince Logan, District 7 (R - Joliet) SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 6 (D - Joliet) AYES: Ogalla, Winfrey, Williams, Butler, Richmond, Logan, Costa ABSENT: Revis, Ortiz NOT VOTING: Parker, Mueller, Newquist, Mitchell |
F. OLD BUSINESS - NONE
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Ordinance No. 648 Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement No. 23-06 and Associated License Agreement No. 23-16 with the Village of Manhattan for the Marion Street Wauponsee Glacial Trail Connection
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Elnalyn Costa, Vice Chair SECONDER: Sherry Williams, District 5 (D - Crest Hill) AYES: Ogalla, Winfrey, Williams, Butler, Richmond, Logan, Costa ABSENT: Revis, Ortiz NOT VOTING: Parker, Mueller, Newquist, Mitchell |
2. Draft FY2024 Budget for Discussion
Executive Director Schultz reviewed the draft FY2024 Budget.
Executive Director Schultz presented a preliminary 2024 Budget for the Corporate Fund, the Construction and Development Fund, Debt Service Fund, and Other Funds.
Based on the Committee's direction and future estimates of the County's EAV and new construction, the 2024 budget will be scheduled for further review in October and revised with a tentative budget ordinance. Final approval of the 2024 Appropriation and Budget Ordinance and 2023 levies are scheduled for November.
Highlights of the 2024 draft budget include:
➢ Total projected revenues are $21,595,614. This is an increase from 2021. Which includes a $1,803,865 of fund balance reserve drawdown in the Corporate Fund.
➢ With respect to property taxes, it is projected that 79.37% of the District's revenues will come from real estate taxes totaling $17,142,329.
➢ The Capital Projects Fund 33 is used to account for major capital projects to the District’s facilities and preserves with respect to those projects using grant funds. Projects that receive any type of federal or state funding are also accounted for in Fund 33.
➢ With respect to proposed expenditures, the Personnel category accounts for 60.94% of the 2023 budget (well below the average of other municipalities).
➢ The total anticipated expenditure on Personnel is expected to be $13,160,752.
➢ The Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement Program includes a $400,000 transfer from the Corporate Fund.
➢ The District is fully funding its Vehicle Replacement Fund (VRF). Staff has appropriated $401,827 in the 2024 budget. Executive Director Schultz stated that continuing to fully fund this program will ensure that future budgets are not negatively impacted by an aging and inefficient vehicle fleet.
➢ The District has appropriated $75,000 to be transferred into the Computer Replacement Fund, which is consistent with last year’s contribution.
➢ Pursuant to GASB Statements No. 74 and 75, it was determined that the Annual Required Contribution into OPEB should be a minimum of $242,071. Staff have appropriated $400,000 in the 2024 Budget. Currently, the District’s retiree health insurance trust fund has more than $2.75 million set aside for retiree health benefits.
The staff recommends moving forward with the Preliminary 2024 Budget as presented. The Preliminary 2024 Budget is balanced with an anticipated .99% decrease in the District’s overall property tax rate from the previous year.
H. EXECUTIVE SESSION
No closed session occurred on September 7, 2023.
I. ACTIONS FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION
J. REPORTS
1. Next Meeting Date - Thursday, October 5, 2023 immediately following the Operations Committee Meeting but no earlier than 9:15 AM at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois
K. COMMENTS BY PUBLIC
No comments were received.
L. COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS
M. ADJOURNMENT
1. Meeting was adjourned at 10:09 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 6 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, District 2 (R - Monee) AYES: Ogalla, Winfrey, Williams, Butler, Richmond, Logan, Costa ABSENT: Revis, Ortiz NOT VOTING: Parker, Mueller, Newquist, Mitchell |
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